The European Union (EU) has extended its climate action efforts to more than 350 local government councils across sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Speaking at the closing event of the Abuja Urban Lab, Tomasz Gawlik, a representative of the EU delegation, emphasized the EU’s global commitment to addressing climate issues and fostering sustainable urban development in Africa.
The initiative, led by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA) and co-funded by the EU, has been instrumental in bringing together stakeholders to tackle waste governance and infrastructure challenges in cities. In Abuja, the program was co-implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and partnered with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
One of the major achievements of the Abuja Urban Lab was the formulation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which establishes a framework for inter-agency collaboration on waste management. The closing event showcased these agreements, with a Declaration of Commitment signed by key stakeholders to reaffirm their dedication to sustainable waste governance in Abuja.
Tomasz Gawlik highlighted the EU’s broader climate strategy, which focuses on addressing urbanization and climate-related challenges in Africa. “Cities account for a significant portion of global emissions, but they are also hubs of innovation for climate solutions. With rapid urbanization, resource scarcity, and extreme weather affecting African cities, effective climate action is crucial to reduce emissions and enhance resilience,” he said.
Through CoMSSA, launched in 2015, the EU has supported local governments across sub-Saharan Africa in developing sustainable energy access and climate action plans. These strategies aim to provide cities with actionable roadmaps to combat climate-related risks and opportunities.
Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman of AMAC, represented by Vice Chairman Nasir Usman, praised the collaborative efforts of the Abuja Urban Lab. “This initiative has fostered meaningful dialogue and joint problem-solving among key institutions. It is a remarkable journey of collaboration and commitment to addressing one of the greatest challenges facing our city,” he stated. The year-long program concluded with stakeholders recognizing its role in advancing innovative waste management solutions for Abuja.
