AMN Plus-April 27, 2026
The Climate Investment Funds (CIF), in partnership with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and the World Bank Group (WBG), officially opened the CIF Global Knowledge Exchange today in Addis Ababa.
The four-day event, running through April 30, gathers over 150 participants from 27 CIF partner countries, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and civil society to accelerate country-led climate finance.
Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance for the Government of Ethiopia, opened the plenary by highlighting the strategic importance of the gathering for the host nation. “Hosting the event is meaningful for Ethiopia as the country has long placed climate action at the center of its development vision,” Minister Ahmed Shide stated. “Through our climate-resilient green economy approach, we are pursuing a development pathway that is green, inclusive and resilient”.
A major highlight of the event’s opening was the launch of a call for expressions of interest for ARISE (Accelerating Resilience Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Economies). This new CIF investment program will deploy catalytic finance to transform climate risks into investment opportunities. CIF is making available a predictable and flexible envelope of $30 to $40 million per country, and up to $50 million for regional programs, for up to five countries or regions.
ARISE is designed to mainstream resilience into national development strategies, a goal that resonates with Ethiopia’s own partnership with CIF, which currently includes nearly $90 million in climate investments to support clean energy access and nature-based solutions.
“Ethiopia is proud to prepare to host COP32, an opportunity to bring the world to Africa and to place Africa at the heart of global climate action,” Shide said. “Our priorities are clear: stronger adaptation finance, greater investment in resilience, accelerated energy access, nature-based solutions, and a climate finance architecture that responds to the needs of developing countries”.
Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of Climate Investment Funds, emphasized the urgency of these investments, noting that climate shocks are currently eroding trillions of dollars from the global economy.
“Resilience investments keep farmers harvesting, businesses open, jobs intact, and services running when shocks hit,” she noted.
Reflecting on this partnership, Minister Ahmed Shide remarked, “CIF is an important partner to Ethiopia. CIF support is helping advance our national climate priorities, including energy access, resilience, and nature-based solutions. Ethiopia’s partnership with CIF shows the value of country-led platforms, coordinated investment, and concessional climate finance that can mobilize larger resources for real impact”.
The Knowledge Exchange serves as a platform for South-South learning, with Ethiopia sharing its extensive experience in renewable energy development, landscape restoration, and climate-resilient agriculture. Minister Shide also looked forward to the continent’s growing role in global climate diplomacy.
Minister Shide concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s resolve: “We remain determined to work with all partners to turn climate ambition into investment, and investment into lasting impact for our people and our planet”.
The over $13 billion Climate Investment Funds (CIF) invests in developing countries to drive sustainable, resilient growth through climate finance. Partnering with governments and six multilateral development banks, CIF accelerates investment to transform energy systems, build resilience, and modernize industry as to Ministry of Finance Ethiopia reported it.
