As Kenya basks in the glory of successfully hosting Africa’s first-ever Climate Summit, the country has scored another significant win on the global stage. President William Ruto announced during the event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) that the Global Centre for Adaptation’s (GCA) Africa regional office will be relocated to Nairobi, solidifying Kenya’s commitment to addressing climate change.

The move of the GCA Africa Headquarters to Nairobi is a affirmation  to Kenya’s dedication to climate action. President Ruto expressed his delight in making this announcement, underlining the importance of finding internal solutions to tackle the climate change challenges that have been impacting the African continent.

The GCA, an international organization acting as a solutions broker, is focused on expediting action and support for adaptation solutions worldwide. Previously, the GCA’s regional office for Africa was hosted at the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. However, the decision to move its Africa regional office to Nairobi underscores Kenya’s increasing influence in the global climate arena.

While the GCA’s global headquarters remain in Rotterdam, Netherlands, President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s close collaboration with the organization. The GCA receives support from various entities, including the AfDB, African Heads of State and Governments, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations, and numerous development partners.

The GCA operates as a critical catalyst for climate action across the African continent. It collaborates with partners to align initiatives with global programs, coordinates projects spanning the continent, and accelerates climate resilience efforts for communities throughout Africa.

This development follows President William Ruto’s recent launch of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, further showcasing Kenya’s commitment to combating climate change. The FLLoCA program focuses on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities at the county and sub-county levels in all counties across Kenya.

One of its primary goals is to deliver locally-led climate resilience actions while strengthening the capacity of county and national governments to manage climate risks effectively. This initiative underscores Kenya’s multi-pronged approach to addressing climate change, combining international collaboration with local efforts to create a sustainable and resilient future for the country and the entire African continent.

 Kenya’s success in hosting Africa’s inaugural Climate Summit and securing the relocation of the GCA Africa regional office to Nairobi represents a remarkable step forward in the global fight against climate change. By aligning international partnerships with locally-led initiatives like FLLoCA, Kenya is demonstrating its commitment to not only addressing climate challenges but also fostering a more climate-resilient future for its citizens and all Africans.