The African Development Bank Group recently concluded a stakeholder workshop focused on scaling up youth-led climate solutions across the continent. The meeting, held February 24-25, 2026, brought together leaders from business, policy, and development to chart the next phase of the Bank’s YouthADAPT program, a key initiative supporting young entrepreneurs tackling climate change adaptation challenges in Africa. The discussions underscored a growing recognition that investing in Africa’s youth is not just a demographic imperative, but a crucial strategy for building climate resilience.
Africa, often described as the world’s youngest continent, is also disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager for Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank Group, highlighted this paradox, stating, “Africa is the world’s youngest continent, yet it is also the most climate-vulnerable. Innovation is the bridge between these two realities.” He explained that young Africans are already developing solutions in critical areas like water management, sustainable food systems, renewable energy, the circular economy, and climate-smart services – solutions that can be rapidly deployed and scaled with significant impact.
The YouthADAPT program, funded by the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) and the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF), has already demonstrated tangible results. Between 2021 and 2025, the program supported 39 enterprises across 20 African countries, generating approximately 11,000 direct and indirect jobs. Notably, women-owned businesses comprised 63 percent of the portfolio, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive climate entrepreneurship. This success, yet, has prompted a critical reflection on how to maximize the program’s impact and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on Early Successes and Identifying Challenges
The workshop served as a platform to review the experiences of the first three cycles of YouthADAPT. Participants examined key lessons learned during implementation and explored potential design options for the fourth cycle. A central theme emerging from the discussions was the need to move beyond simply providing grant funding. While crucial for initial seed capital, participants agreed that a more holistic approach is required to support the growth and sustainability of these young climate enterprises.
Mary Kashangiki, Manager for Early-Stage Finance at Financial Sector Deepening Africa, emphasized the importance of integrating lessons from YouthADAPT into broader efforts to strengthen climate innovation financing across the continent. The consultation process, she noted, would be instrumental in achieving this goal.
Facilitators revisited findings from a pre-workshop survey, which identified several key risks to program effectiveness. These included difficulties in transitioning enterprises to private finance after program completion, designs that didn’t adequately reflect local market realities, and an overreliance on single delivery partners. These challenges highlight the need for a more nuanced and adaptable approach to supporting youth-led climate ventures.
A Shift Towards Sustainable Financing Models
A recurring recommendation throughout the workshop was the introduction of a clearer “capital transition pathway” within the YouthADAPT program. This would involve combining initial catalytic grants with milestone-linked tranches, potentially incorporating returnable or revenue-based instruments where appropriate. Investor advisory mechanisms were also proposed to de-risk follow-on finance, making these enterprises more attractive to private investors.
The goal, as participants emphasized, is to reduce long-term grant dependency while simultaneously helping enterprises turn into bankable and investment-ready. This requires careful consideration of financing terms to avoid burdening young businesses with unsustainable debt. The focus is on fostering a sustainable ecosystem where climate solutions can thrive beyond the initial support of the program.
Prioritizing Entrepreneurs in Program Design
Participants reached a consensus that the fourth cycle of YouthADAPT should prioritize the needs of the entrepreneurs themselves. The program design should be centered around directly addressing their financing, capacity-building, and market-access requirements. This requires a deeper understanding of the specific challenges faced by young climate entrepreneurs in different African contexts.
Beyond direct financial support, participants stressed the importance of building a stronger ecosystem around founders. This includes earlier engagement with investors, enhanced venture-builder support, stronger local partnerships, and clearer pathways to secure sustainable follow-on finance. Creating a supportive network is seen as essential for nurturing the growth of these enterprises.
Next Steps and Future Outlook
The workshop concluded with an agreement on next steps, including consolidating the findings into a design-ready package for the fourth cycle of YouthADAPT. Targeted follow-up consultations will be conducted to refine the program design, and implementation partners will be engaged to shape a scalable, partnership-driven, and outcomes-focused delivery model. The African Development Bank Group is committed to fostering a new generation of African climate entrepreneurs who can drive sustainable development and build a more resilient future for the continent.
The success of initiatives like YouthADAPT is critical as Africa faces increasing climate challenges. By empowering young innovators, the Bank aims to unlock the continent’s potential to not only adapt to climate change but also to lead the way in developing innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Further updates on the program’s fourth cycle and its implementation will be available on the African Development Bank Group’s website.
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