During the opening week of CBD COP17, the African Development Bank Group highlighted its commitment to delivering the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through two events focused on biodiversity action and nature finance across Africa. The framework is an international agreement adopted in 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, committing countries to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
The first session, "African Development Bank Delivering on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Africa: Leveraging Policies, Knowledge and Investment for Nature, Resilience and Green Growth," examined how African countries can translate biodiversity commitments into development outcomes.
Later in the week, the Bank Group convened governments, development finance institutions and technical partners for a session titled "Unlocking Nature Finance in Africa: State of Play and Opportunities for MDB Collaboration", which explored ways to mobilise greater investment in nature-positive development.
Together, the discussions underscored a common message: Africa's rich natural capital can drive economic transformation, provided that policies, partnerships and financing mechanisms are aligned.
Opening the nature finance event, Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager of Climate Change and Green Growth at the Bank, stressed the need to move from ambition to implementation.
"Africa's nature is not a cost to be borne, but an asset to be invested in, wisely and together."
He noted that while biodiversity commitments continue to grow, financing remains insufficient. Transforming political commitments into bankable investments, he argued, requires stronger project pipelines, innovative financing solutions and closer collaboration among multilateral development banks.
Candice Stevens, CEO and Founder of the Sustainable Finance Coalition, highlighted the momentum already emerging across the continent.
"There is an incredible array of nature finance innovation happening across the African continent. The question now is how do we turn that innovation into pipelines, platforms and partnerships that can take it to scale?"
A panel discussion, moderated by Innocent Onah, Chief Natural Resources Officer at the Bank's African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, brought together representatives from governments, MDBs and international partners to identify practical solutions for scaling nature finance.
Panellist Amita Ramachandran of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) emphasised the importance of early-stage support and project preparation.
"Unlocking nature finance happens well before the project is even developed or designed, and we really invest in that upfront consultation process."
She highlighted the strong collaboration between CIF and the African Development Bank through the Nature, People and Climate Investment Program, which is supporting nine countries in Africa. She also pointed to the Bank-led Zambezi Region Nature, People and Climate Program investment plan, the program's only regional initiative, spanning five countries and building on long-standing cooperation through the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM).
Daouda Ben Oumar Ndiaye of the Islamic Development Bank emphasised that stronger MDB collaboration can help countries access a broader range of financing solutions, combining instruments such as green bonds, sukuk and climate fund resources to scale investments for nature and biodiversity.
Rodrigo Cassola of UNEP-WCMC highlighted the importance of credible data and measurement, including the use of natural capital accounting, monitoring, reporting and verification systems to unlock investment and build confidence in biodiversity and carbon markets.
The discussion showcased the African Development Bank Group's experience in mobilising investment through initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, and underscored the importance of country-led platforms, blended finance and stronger coordination among development partners.
As the first week came to a close, the Bank Group continued to engage stakeholders through bilateral meetings and networking sessions, strengthening partnerships and opening up new opportunities for collaboration.
For more on AfDB at CBD COP17: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/african-development-bank-group-champion-97313
