African Countries Must Transform Climate Plans into Economic Growth Engines- UN Demands

As deadlines loom for countries under the Paris Agreement to submit new national climate plans, African governments are being urged to seize the moment to transform their economies, create millions of jobs, and build resilience against climate shocks.

The United Nations (UN) says the continent’s upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) should not be viewed solely as environmental obligations but as powerful economic strategies.

“Strong new national climate plans are blueprints for stronger economies, more jobs and rising living standards,” UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said. “They open the door to new industries, large-scale investment, more affordable clean energy accessible to all, and more resilient infrastructure, as climate disasters hit African nations harder each year.”

“Africa is not just on the frontlines of climate impacts; it is also at the forefront of solutions. Right across the continent, we are already seeing massive potential and innovations which cut planet-heating pollution and build more climate-resilient economies,” Stiell added.

The UN is calling on all countries to submit their new plans, formally called NDCs, as soon as possible ahead of key milestones, including the UN Secretary General’s September Climate Summit and November COP30 in Brazil. September will be an important milestone, but submissions will continue in the run-up to COP30, with each plan helping to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius and protect all peoples, while also unlocking jobs, growth, and economic benefits at home.

Africa’s Emerging Examples

Across Africa, countries are beginning to align climate action with economic opportunity. South Africa’s NDC is anchored in a just transition strategy that protects workers while attracting over USD 11 billion in renewable energy partnerships. Nigeria is positioning its climate plan as a national investment strategy, with large-scale solar projects expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and the Great Green Wall initiative restoring degraded land. Morocco has emerged as a continental leader in renewables, with its Ouarzazate solar complex ranking among the largest in the world.

These examples showcase how climate plans can be designed not only to cut emissions but also to drive industrial growth, expand access to affordable energy, and boost long-term competitiveness.

Ghana’s Place in the Transition

Ghana too has been taking steps in this direction. The government’s Energy Transition Framework highlights a pathway toward expanding renewable power, while initiatives such as the Green Ghana Project have mobilized communities and institutions to plant millions of trees, demonstrating the economic and environmental dividends of bold action.

Ghana’s next NDC could further strengthen this link between climate action and economic growth by targeting sectors such as agro-processing, green manufacturing, and clean transport. With youth unemployment and fiscal pressures mounting, a climate plan that doubles as an investment strategy could help unlock international finance, attract private investment, and generate thousands of green jobs.

Looking Ahead to COP30

The UN has called on all nations to submit their revised NDCs well ahead of key milestones, including the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit in September and COP30 in Brazil this November. Each plan will be vital in keeping global warming within 1.5°C while simultaneously unlocking new opportunities at home.

For Africa, the stakes are especially high. The continent is on the frontline of climate impacts from droughts to flooding yet also sits at the forefront of solutions, with abundant renewable resources and youthful talent.

For Ghana and its peers, the message is clear: bold climate plans are no longer just about cutting carbon. They are about securing investment, creating jobs, and building stronger, more resilient economies for decades to come.

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