African climate expert calls for continental leadership as extreme weather and political setbacks challenge progress

Africa is facing a perfect storm of climate challenges in 2025, with devastating floods ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia while severe drought grips Chad. These extreme weather events highlight the continent’s vulnerability to climate change, but according to Mohamed Adow, founder of Power Shift Africa, they also present an opportunity for African nations to emerge as global green energy leaders.

The climate crisis has been compounded by political setbacks, particularly the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump’s administration has already begun slashing funding for health programs and climate adaptation efforts while withdrawing from the Paris Agreement for the second time. This retreat from climate action by the world’s largest economy has shifted focus to oil production, creating additional challenges for international climate cooperation.

Against this backdrop, Adow attended the COP30 U.N. climate summit in Belém, Brazil, representing the Kenya-based think tank he established in 2018 to drive climate action across Africa. Power Shift Africa advocates for policies that promote zero-carbon economies throughout the continent. As a member of the Allied for Climate Transformation by 2025 (ACT2025) consortium, Adow works alongside experts from climate-vulnerable countries to push for greater international climate ambition.

Speaking from the Amazon summit, Adow shared his vision for Africa’s energy transition and the continent’s potential to lead global climate action despite facing the harsh realities of climate impacts and reduced international support. His perspective offers hope that Africa can transform its current vulnerabilities into strengths through strategic green energy development.