The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump in 2025 has reignited global alarm, but for Africa, the move strikes at the heart of survival.
As the continent least responsible for climate change—contributing a mere 3% of global emissions—Africa now faces an uncertain future without critical U.S. climate funding, even as droughts, floods, and heatwaves escalate.
Trump’s executive order, prioritizing American economic interests over global climate cooperation, risks derailing decades of fragile progress. The decision guts financial pledges central to Africa’s adaptation efforts, including $3 billion earmarked for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) from 2024–2027. This fund supports renewable energy projects, drought-resistant agriculture, and coastal defenses in nations like Ghana, Mozambique, and Chad. With the U.S. exiting, a gaping hole remains: Europe and China have vowed to uphold their commitments, but doubts linger over their capacity—or willingness—to compensate for lost American contributions.
Africa’s vulnerability is stark. Cyclones now ravage Madagascar with unprecedented fury, while Lake Chad, a lifeline for 40 million people, has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s. In Ghana, erratic rainfall disrupts cocoa yields, threatening the livelihoods of 800,000 smallholder farmers. The IPCC warns such crises will intensify, yet Trump’s withdrawal strips access to technology and funds needed to buffer these blows.
“This isn’t just about reduced aid—it’s a betrayal of solidarity,” said Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa. “The U.S., responsible for 25% of historical emissions, is leaving nations that didn’t cause the crisis to drown in its consequences.”
The pullback also undermines Africa’s green energy transition. Countries like Kenya and Morocco have pioneered solar and wind projects, aiming to leapfrog fossil fuels. Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Farm, for instance, powers 1 million homes, while Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is among the world’s largest. These projects rely on international partnerships and financing now in jeopardy.
Without U.S. involvement, experts fear a regression to fossil fuel dependency. “Investors may pivot to oil and gas if renewables lose backing,” warned Ghanaian energy analyst Nafi Chinery. “This isn’t just environmental sabotage—it’s economic sabotage for nations betting on sustainable growth.”
Trump’s move sets a perilous precedent. Brazil and Saudi Arabia, already hesitant on climate action, may further dilute efforts. The Paris Agreement’s core premise—shared but differentiated responsibility—crumbles if wealthy nations renege. For Africa, this could mean hotter futures: the continent warms 1.5 times faster than the global average, with crop yields projected to plummet 20% by 2050.
Yet African leaders refuse to capitulate. Ghana has ramped up reforestation, aiming to plant 20 million trees annually. Rwanda’s green investment fund channels $100 million into climate resilience, while Ethiopia’s ambitious tree-planting campaign targets 20 billion seedlings. The African Union’s Great Green Wall initiative, though underfunded, continues its push to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land.
“We’ve survived exploitation before. We’ll survive this,” said Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate. “But survival shouldn’t be our aspiration—justice should.”
The U.S. exit forces Africa into a harsh reckoning. Regional alliances, like the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, must prioritize green industrialization. Debt-for-climate swaps could free up fiscal space, while local carbon markets might attract private investment. Above all, the crisis underscores the need for Africa to unify its voice in global forums, demanding accountability from high emitters.
As the world’s largest historical polluter walks away, the message to Africa is clear: resilience is expected, but support is conditional. The continent’s fight, however, is far from over. In the words of Kenyan environmentalist Wanjira Mathai, “Africa didn’t start this fire, but we’ll be the ones to douse it—with or without the world’s help.”
The clock ticks. For millions on the frontlines, retreat isn’t an option.
