By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Stakeholders from across Africa on Tuesday called for stronger partnerships among developing countries, increased local ownership of climate initiatives and greater collaboration between governments, private sector operators and civil society groups to address the growing challenges of climate change.
The call was made at the Sustainability Summit 2026 held in Abuja with the theme, “Resilient Growth Through Climate Partnerships: Strengthening Cooperation Among Developing Countries.”
The event brought together environmental experts, policymakers, climate advocates, development practitioners and private sector leaders from several African countries.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of Green Legacy Limited, Alhaji Muhammadu Nasiru Wada, Magajin Garin Kano, the Managing Director of the company, Muhammad Najib Abdullahi, said the world was facing unprecedented environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, flooding and drought.
Abdullahi noted that while the impacts of climate change continue to threaten communities and economies, the crisis also presents opportunities for innovation, cooperation and sustainable development. He stressed that no country can successfully tackle climate change alone.
According to him, sustainable solutions will emerge not only from technology and financial investments but also through meaningful partnerships built on trust, shared knowledge and mutual responsibility among developing nations. He urged countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to deepen South-South cooperation in pursuit of climate resilience.
He said Green Legacy’s experience in environmental restoration through tree planting, agroforestry, nursery development and sustainable agriculture has demonstrated that climate action can improve livelihoods, strengthen food security and build resilient communities while protecting the environment.
National President of the Nigerian Environmental Society, Dr. Efegbedeke Okobia, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving environmental sustainability, noting that collaboration remains the foundation for progress in addressing climate-related challenges.
Okobia disclosed that the Nigerian Environmental Society is working with the African Union and environmental professionals across the continent to establish the African Environmental Society.
He revealed that 13 African countries have already signed onto the proposed charter after six years of consultations and engagements.
He explained that the continental initiative is intended to create a platform for sharing expertise, innovation and best practices among African countries, while strengthening the continent’s capacity to address environmental and sustainability challenges through African-led solutions.
The environmental expert also highlighted the role of private sector participation in sustainability efforts, citing a recent industrial energy efficiency and cleaner production project supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Global Environment Facility. He said the project demonstrated how collaboration among public institutions, development partners and businesses can deliver measurable environmental benefits.
Also speaking, Director of the Centre for Climate Justice in Rwanda, Sam Ngoga, said the Sustainability Summit was launched in 2024 as a platform for bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to discuss practical responses to climate change and sustainable development challenges.
Ngoga noted that climate change transcends national boundaries and therefore requires collective action. He said African countries must move beyond working in isolation and instead leverage regional cooperation to share technology, research, innovation and expertise capable of driving sustainable development.
He argued that climate solutions for Africa must be developed with African realities in mind, stressing that many policies and technologies are often designed without sufficient consideration for the continent’s unique economic and social circumstances.
According to him, Africans must play a central role in shaping the climate agenda that affects their future.
The Director of Climate Change at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Umar Saleh Anka, said the summit was aimed at creating awareness about the climate crisis and fostering partnerships that can generate practical and sustainable solutions. He noted that the initiative had evolved from Kigali to Kano and now Abuja as part of efforts to build a continent-wide movement for climate action.
Anka called on African countries to reduce dependence on external funding and instead strengthen domestic resource mobilization, local innovation and technical capacity. While acknowledging the importance of international support, he maintained that Africa must define its own climate priorities and develop solutions that reflect its realities, adding that stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, media organizations and citizens would be critical to achieving sustainable development and climate resilience across the continent.
