June 20, 2025 — Nairobi, Kenya | The second day of the Workshop on Science for Decision-Making and Innovation in Africa turned the spotlight onto one of the continent’s greatest strengths: its untapped potential for climate innovation. Held at the Mövenpick Hotel and co-convened by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) and the Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF), the second workshop on Climate Innovation in Africa brought together African innovators, funders, entrepreneurs, policy experts, and civil society leaders for a powerful exchange of ideas, partnerships, and solutions.
Paul Ondeng Moses, founder of G4 Farms Ltd., set the tone with a provocative question: “How can youth succeed in areas that are hard to cope with?”
His message was simple but profound , Africa’s youth must be empowered not just to adapt, but to lead. He challenged participants to move beyond buzzwords and design innovation that is deeply rooted in community needs, resilient in local contexts, and powered by the ingenuity already alive across the continent.
What followed was a day filled with insight and energy. Stories emerged of innovators breaking boundaries from Uganda’s solar-powered irrigation schemes for smallholder farmers to Zambia’s Syngenta-supported platforms connecting farmers to markets. Participants highlighted bioenergy projects, wind and solar initiatives, and the rise of agritech solutions that are both climate-smart and economically viable. These examples showcased Africa’s capacity not just to respond to climate crises but to lead in innovation.
Still, the challenges are real. Participants named policy gaps, restrictive funding conditions, limited infrastructure, and the absence of capital markets that support early-stage innovation. Many young innovators, especially at the grassroots, struggle to access the support they need to bring their ideas to life. Government involvement, though often symbolic, remains inconsistent and under-resourced.
There was an overwhelming consensus that supportive policies, grounded in African realities, are essential. Governments must go beyond vision statements and set the tone for innovation through direct investment in hubs, tax incentives for startups, and deliberate inclusion of green innovation in their mandates. What’s needed is not just policy but implementation, political will, and public-private synergy that brings innovation to scale.
Participants also challenged traditional finance systems. They argued that while funding is vital, the type of capital matters even more. Many funding models are too rigid, risk-averse, or mismatched to Africa’s innovation realities. What’s needed is capital that is fluid, open to risk, and designed to empower young people and their ideas at early stages. Flexible, blended finance combining grants, concessional loans, and venture capital was viewed as a more sustainable path.
Another recurring theme was the importance of utilizing existing platforms such as community-based organizations, civil society groups, cooperatives, and local institutions to expand the reach and impact of climate innovation. There is no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, amplify what is already working. Participants also stressed the value of efficient fund allocation prioritizing high-impact projects, focusing on demand-driven innovation, and ensuring that available resources are used strategically.
Finally, capacity building stood out as a foundation for long-term success. Investing in training, mentoring, and entrepreneurship education especially for women and youth was seen as critical. Innovation hubs must not only provide space but also structure, support systems, and long-term follow-up. Retaining talented researchers and entrepreneurs in Africa will depend on creating clear pathways from university to marketplace, from idea to impact.
As the day came to a close, participants took part in a lightning round, each offering a one-minute action step they would commit to. From launching local incubators to advocating for innovation-friendly policies, the room brimmed with resolve.
Key Recommendations from Participants
- Develop Africa-specific innovation policies that reflect the continent’s unique needs and strengths
- Strong implementation and monitoring of existing climate innovation policies is critical
- Create enabling environments for public-private partnerships and innovation hubs
- Provide risk-tolerant and flexible capital for early-stage ventures
- Build capital market infrastructure that connects innovators to funding sources
- Utilize existing structures such as CSOs, CBOs, and cooperatives to scale innovation
- Invest in innovation hubs that provide training, mentorship, and technical support
- Support universities to embed entrepreneurship and climate innovation in their curricula
- Focus on retaining African talent through attractive career paths in the innovation space
One phrase captured the mood: “Africa doesn’t lack innovators. It lacks belief in them early enough.” The belief to restore, nurture, and be made visible.
More Pictures From the second day workshop
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