African city leaders unite in Tshwane to build political support for climate action

• The event gathers representatives from C40 cities across Africa to discuss climate action in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania.
• C40’s Political Leadership Masterclass on Climate Change Governance will help city leaders in the region to exchange knowledge and collaborate on inclusive climate action-centred approaches.

The two-day Political Leadership Masterclass on Climate Change Governance brings together high-level political and governance actors as part of the Climate Action Implementation Programme, which helps cities to become carbon-neutral by 2050 and secure a greener future for their residents.

Notable figures’ contributions include Mr Johann Mettler, City Manager of the City of Tshwane, who will offer insights into Tshwane’s sustainability journey. In addition, H.E. André Nzapayeke, Dean of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions, and H.E. Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, will be addressing the power of diplomacy and the UK’s efforts in supporting African climate action. The agenda includes sessions featuring Mr Jay Naidoo, former South African Minister and Social and Economic Development Advocate, Ms Jennifer Musisi, C40 Board Member, Director of Earthlife Africa Makoma Lekalakala, and Prof. Debra Roberts, IPCC Co-Chair, discussing governance in the context of inclusive climate action and weaving the aspirations of residents into the fabric of resilient, prosperous cities across the African continent.

The opening ceremony, held at the prestigious Tshwane House Council Chambers, will feature a performance by Tshwane Metro PD Choir and remarks by Tshwane City leaders, setting the tone for high-level dialogue among representatives and delegates from twelve African cities: Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Sedibeng, Tshwane and West Rand.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink said: “This event is important to the City of Tshwane and will help strengthen our very own Climate Action Plan, which seeks to ensure that we become a climate-resilient and responsive city. Furthermore, the city is committed to promoting green economies and job creation and to fostering sustainable development.”

Hastings Chikoko, C40’s Managing Director of Regions and Mayoral Engagement, and Regional Director for Africa, said: “The C40’s Political Leadership Masterclass on Climate Change Governance marks a critical step in our shared commitment to climate action, serving as a platform for deepening collaboration and empowering political leaders to drive inclusive governance approaches that align with their developmental priorities.”

C40’s Climate Action Implementation Programme is made possible with funding from the UK government’s Urban Climate Action Programme and has been supporting seven African cities in developing high-impact implementation actions to deliver renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable waste management and climate mainstreaming to help these cities halve their carbon emissions by 2030, become carbon neutral by 2050 and secure a green, fair and equitable future for their residents.

Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, said: “The Political Leadership Masterclass in Tshwane reflects a pivotal moment where African political leaders converge to align climate efforts with broader developmental goals. This collaboration, bolstered by UK funding, underscores our commitment to assisting seven African cities in implementing impactful actions for a greener, more sustainable future. It’s a testament to the transformative power of international partnerships in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.”

Earlier this year, C40 hosted a regional conference in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to highlight the vital role of African cities in tackling climate breakdown. The event focused on discussions to facilitate partnerships and exchange best practices, enabling the participant cities to overcome common challenges and accelerate their climate action efforts.