East African countries are seeking to turn climate commitments into bankable projects and attract more domestic and private capital as regional officials meet in Uganda to strengthen cooperation on climate finance.
The 8th East Africa Climate Finance Directors’ Level Meeting is being held on Oct. 7-8 at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel in Kigo under the theme “From Commitments to Investment.”
Uganda’s Finance Minister Henry Musasizi opened the high-level meeting on Tuesday, bringing together officials from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia, alongside development and financing partners.
The meeting is focused on advancing implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, while addressing one of the biggest challenges facing climate action in the region — converting national climate plans into projects capable of attracting financing.
“Stronger regional cooperation can turn shared climate challenges into shared investment opportunities,” participants said, highlighting the need for countries to move beyond commitments towards projects that can be prepared, financed and implemented.
Focus shifts to project preparation and capital
The second day of the meeting is focusing on fiscal policy, project preparation and ways of mobilising domestic and private capital for climate investments.
A key expected outcome is the development of a pipeline of investment-ready projects that could form the basis of an East Africa Climate Finance Deal Room at the 9th regional meeting.
The objective is to move projects from policy and planning stages to financing, giving investors and development partners a clearer pipeline of opportunities across the region.
For East African governments, the push comes as countries face growing financing needs to adapt to climate change, strengthen resilience and reduce emissions while managing competing demands on public budgets.
The discussions are therefore placing greater emphasis on fiscal frameworks, project preparation and the ability of governments to structure projects in ways that can attract both public and private investment.
Regional platform enters fourth year
The climate finance directors’ meeting has been held twice a year since 2023, providing a platform for East African countries to share experiences, agree on common actions and monitor progress on climate-related commitments.
Uganda’s meeting follows the 7th gathering held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The participation of six East African countries reflects the increasingly regional nature of climate financing challenges, with governments facing similar pressures around climate resilience, infrastructure, energy, agriculture and other sectors vulnerable to climate change.
The focus on NDC 3.0 implementation also comes as governments seek to translate updated climate commitments into concrete programmes and investments rather than leaving them primarily at the policy level.
For the region, officials say the immediate priority is now to build a credible pipeline of projects, identify financing sources and create stronger links between governments, investors and development partners.
The proposed Deal Room at the next meeting is intended to provide a platform for that pipeline, with the broader goal of converting regional climate ambitions into financed projects and measurable action.
