The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has officially launched the In-Country YouthADAPT Demo Day events under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), setting the stage for young climate entrepreneurs across five African countries to compete for funding and long-term support.
Youth-led enterprises from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria will, over the coming weeks, pitch their climate adaptation solutions before panels of investors, development institutions, and industry experts. From these national events, the top ten enterprises, two from each country, will each be awarded $30,000 in grants and enrolled in a year-long acceleration and mentorship program aimed at scaling their ventures into investment-ready businesses.
This initiative directly targets one of Africa’s most persistent challenges: limited access to finance for youth-led enterprises tackling climate impacts. By linking young innovators to domestic and regional investors, the Demo Days aim to bridge the funding gap that often keeps promising adaptation solutions at pilot stage.
The participating businesses span sectors critical to Africa’s resilience, including sustainable agriculture, water security, renewable energy, early warning systems, and climate-smart infrastructure. These are areas where micro, small, and growing enterprises are increasingly playing a vital role, yet often lack the capital and visibility needed to grow.
Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, said Africa’s youth must be seen as solution providers. “Africa’s youth are not just victims of the climate crisis, they are architects of the solutions,” he said. “Through YouthADAPT, we are turning local innovation into investable enterprises that support national climate goals, food systems, and job creation. We invite banks, DFIs, and private investors to partner with us ahead of COP30 and beyond.”
Joseph Murabula, CEO of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, reinforced the need for practical empowerment. “Africa’s greatest asset is its young innovators. Through the In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge, we are providing them with funding, mentorship, and market access—key ingredients to build climate resilience and strengthen local economies.”
The Demo Day series will culminate in final selections and investment announcements during COP30 in Brazil in November 2025, where the top ten youth-led enterprises will be showcased globally. For Africa’s emerging climate economy, this represents more than a competition—it is a strategic effort to unlock entrepreneurship, drive local employment, and support adaptation solutions tailored to community needs.
As climate challenges intensify, initiatives like YouthADAPT are becoming essential platforms for Africa’s MSMEs and youth innovators to gain visibility, secure financing, and lead in building a resilient future.
