By Abbas Nazil
In a significant development for climate resilience and private-sector engagement, the Climate Adaptation Business Alliance (CABA) was officially launched at a high-level event held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Originally a regional African initiative, the rebranded alliance now marks its transformation into a global coalition, with Fiji, Rwanda, and Pakistan joining as founding members.
The launch signals a new era in climate adaptation, emphasizing the role of innovative businesses and strategic investments in tackling the global climate crisis.
The event was organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the PrivABoo initiative of the NDC Assist II project.
It convened a diverse array of stakeholders including climate innovators, entrepreneurs, impact investors, and policymakers.
These actors are unified by a commitment to transform climate adaptation from a reactive necessity into a dynamic driver of sustainable economic growth.
Spearheading this global shift is Suleiman Dikwa, CEO of Green Sahara and now the inaugural Executive Director of CABA.
Drawing on his impactful work in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, Dikwa delivered a keynote address titled “From Local Resilience to Global Transformation.”
In his speech, he underscored the urgency and ambition of the alliance’s mission. “This is not the era of incremental change—we are leading the Grand Transition.
Africa is not waiting to be rescued; we are actively shaping the economy the Earth needs—resilient, regenerative, and just,” he proclaimed.
CABA’s framework is built upon three strategic pillars. The first is Certification, aimed at establishing a globally recognized system for verifying climate adaptation enterprises to ensure accountability and prevent greenwashing.
The second, Policy Reform, advocates for national policies that value natural capital, promote regenerative practices, and integrate resilience into development planning.
The third pillar is Investment Mobilization, with plans to launch a Climate Adaptation Deal Flow Platform designed to link innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and community-led projects with impact-driven investment capital.
Drawing on the successes of Green Sahara Farms in regions affected by climate stress, the alliance plans to showcase practical and scalable interventions.
These include flood-resilient infrastructure, drought-tolerant agriculture, and community-led nature-based solutions.
Through these examples, CABA aims to demonstrate how climate adaptation can yield economic and social benefits alike.
Denis Mijibi was named Executive Secretary of the alliance, tasked with coordinating international collaborations, mobilizing resources, and fostering strategic partnerships.
Over the next 100 days, CABA will implement a roadmap to onboard new countries and partners, setting the stage for expanded operations through 2026.
The launch reaffirms that climate adaptation is not only vital but also a vast economic opportunity—one that requires innovative leadership and cross-border cooperation to ensure a resilient, equitable future for all.
