Rich Countries Fail to Meet Climate Finance Promises to East Africa

Strategic Insights -

East African countries are among the worst-hit by the climate crisis, with over 63 million people facing severe hunger and 40% of the population lacking access to safe drinking water. Despite contributing a tiny 0.09% of global carbon emissions, East African countries collectively need $41.8 billion annually to implement their national climate action plans until 2030, but have only received an average of $1.7 billion annually in "grant equivalents" between 2013 and 2022.

The appeals for humanitarian assistance in the region have doubled to $6.1 billion during the 2021 and 2023 hunger crisis, yet funding has consistently fallen short, with less than half of the requested resources delivered in most years. Women, who bear the heaviest burdens of climate change, have their specific needs considered in only 41% of the funds allocated to the region. The climate finance mechanism has also failed to address the specific realities of countries in fragility or conflict-affected contexts, with Eritrea and Somalia receiving only 1% and 2% of their needs, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • East African countries, despite contributing 0.09% of global carbon emissions, need $41.8 billion annually to implement their national climate action plans until 2030.
  • The region has only received an average of $1.7 billion annually in "grant equivalents" between 2013 and 2022, which is 96% less than the needed funds.
  • Women, who bear the heaviest burdens of climate change, have their specific needs considered in only 41% of the funds allocated to the region.
  • The climate finance mechanism has failed to address the specific realities of countries in fragility or conflict-affected contexts, with Eritrea and Somalia receiving only 1% and 2% of their needs.
  • Over 63.3 million people in East Africa faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024, and 126.7 million people, or 40% of the population, lack access to safe drinking water.
  • Appeals for humanitarian assistance in the region doubled to $6.1 billion during the 2021 and 2023 hunger crisis, yet funding has consistently fallen short.
  • Grant equivalence of climate finance constitutes funds contributed as grants plus a certain value attached to loans, which is calculated based on the amount of interest payable and any other costs incurred by recipient countries.

Statistics:

  • East Africa needs $41.8 billion annually to implement national climate action plans until 2030.
  • The region has received an average of $1.7 billion annually in "grant equivalents" between 2013 and 2022.
  • Women have their specific needs considered in only 41% of the funds allocated to the region.
  • Eritrea and Somalia received only 1% and 2% of their climate needs, respectively.
  • Over 63.3 million people in East Africa faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024.
  • 126.7 million people, or 40% of the population, lack access to safe drinking water in the IGAD region.
  • Humanitarian funding gap for the IGAD region: $1.8 billion in 2021 (56%), $1.7 billion in 2022 (31%), and $3.7 billion in 2023 (61%).

Sources:

  • Oxfam International news release: "Rich countries meet only 4% of funds East Africa needs to address climate change" (September 4, 2022)
  • Our World in Data (2025). Cumulative CO2 emissions.
  • IMF-World Bank debt sustainability analysis
  • FAO AQUASTAT
  • East Africa Climate finance Report (2022)
  • Intergovernmental Authority on Development