Launch of the Adaptation Finance Window for Africa (AFWA) - Mobilising private capital for climate adaptation and resilience across Africa
- World Climate Foundation
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
November 12, 2025 — The Investment Mobilisation Collaboration Alliance (IMCA), a
global coalition of donor and development partners working to mobilise large-scale private
climate finance for emerging markets and developing economies, today announced the launch of
the Adaptation Finance Window for Africa (AFWA), a new funding window designed to
unlock investment for climate adaptation and resilience across the continent.

IMCA has committed to make available EUR 40 million in catalytic capital and targeted
technical assistance to support a new Funding Window for the design and scaling of innovative
investment vehicles focused on the mounting climate risks that threaten lives, livelihoods, and
economic stability in Africa. The Window aims to leverage its catalytic resources to mobilise at
least EUR 100 million in private investment for adaptation and resilience outcomes across the
continent. Investment managers can submit concepts for adaptation-focused investment vehicles
now through January 15, 2026 at afwafrica.com.
Africa is on the frontlines of climate change, facing rising heat, prolonged droughts, and more
frequent floods and storms that threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. It is also home to
some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, yet receives less than a tenth of global climate
finance — and even less for adaptation. Despite the business case for climate-resilient
investment, adaptation finance remains far below what is needed, with private capital still playing
only a limited role. Public funds alone cannot meet the scale of investment required to build
resilience, but they can help reduce risk and crowd in private finance. AFWA seeks to
demonstrate how catalytic capital can unlock investment, strengthen local markets, and accelerate
investment opportunities in adaptation where it is needed most in Africa.
AFWA is implemented under IMCA, which coordinates funding efforts, shares insights, and
develops blended finance solutions that combine public and private capital to reduce risk and
mobilise investment in emerging and developing markets at speed and scale. IMCA includes nine
members, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of
Iceland, and the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). The World Climate Foundation (WCF)
serves as IMCA’s Secretariat, facilitating collaboration and implementation across partners.
"Denmark has been a driving force in the establishment of IMCA because we believe
that Nordic expertise and equal partnerships in developing countries can show the
way and create the green solutions needed to tackle the climate crisis. With AFWA,
we are taking an important step in turning ambitions into action – for the benefit of
people, nature, and the climate in Africa."
– Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
"As NDF we believe it is critical to accelerate financing in response to the immense
demands for adaptation and resilience in Africa. We look forward to using our
flexible financing instruments to catalyse investments through this RFP."
– Satu Santala, Managing Director of the Nordic Development Fund.
“By leveraging public finance to attract private investment, AFWA accelerates
capital flows into growth markets facing the largest climate-finance gaps. As
Secretariat of IMCA, the World Climate Foundation supports this effort by
coordinating partners, sustaining momentum, and driving progress from
commitment to action.”
– Jens Nielsen, founder and CEO of World Climate Foundation.
For more information about AFWA, please visit afwafrica.com or
Media Contact:
Julie Clémentine Faure
IMCA Secretariat, World Climate Foundation