Advancing Climate-Health Financing in Africa

Climate-health financing is the bridge between climate adaptation and health system resilience. Without adequate investment, millions remain exposed to preventable crises. However, with innovative financing, Africa can build systems that withstand climate shocks and deliver equitable, sustainable healthcare.

The Challenge

• Underfunded Adaptation Needs: Africa requires billions annually to adapt to climate impacts, yet financing remains far below global targets.

• Declining External Aid: Health-focused development assistance has dropped significantly, leaving critical programs at risk.

• Debt Burdens: Rising debt repayments limit fiscal space for governments to invest in health and climate resilience.

Emerging Solutions

• Blended and Innovative Finance Models that combine public, private, and philanthropic resources.

• Green Bonds and Climate Funds directed toward health infrastructure and community resilience.

• Capacity Building Initiatives that strengthen African countries’ ability to access and manage climate-health financing.

• Multi-sector Partnerships that align government, private sector, and civil society efforts.

Key Implications

• Climate impacts on health are interconnected across air, water, food, and infrastructure systems.

• Framing climate policy through health strengthens urgency and public support for action.

• Equity and vulnerability are central—marginalized communities face the highest risks.

• Integrated mitigation and adaptation are needed, with evaluation of health and equity outcomes.

• Aligning climate and health policy could save millions of lives if action is urgent and ambitious.

Africa Centre for Future Perspectives’ Role

At Africa Centre for Future Perspectives, we believe climate-health financing is not just about filling funding gaps, it’s about reimagining health systems for a climate-resilient future. Our work focuses on:

• Convening leaders across sectors to drive collaborative solutions.

• Advocating for evidence-driven investments that deliver measurable health outcomes.

• Empowering youth and communities to shape inclusive financing strategies.

• Building partnerships that unlock resources and scale innovation.

Call to Action

Climate mitigation yields significant co-benefits for health, reducing disease burden and mortality. Africa’s future depends on resilient health systems that can withstand climate shocks. By advancing climate-health financing, we can safeguard lives, strengthen economies, and ensure that no community is left behind.

Africa Centre for Future Perspectives invites partners, policymakers, and innovators to join us in moving the needle on climate-health financing. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Africa.