By Abdullahi Lukman
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has unveiled a programme to support Chad’s climate priorities, committing to mobilise at least $100 million, subject to board approval.
The funding is aimed at strengthening Chad’s adaptation efforts, with a focus on climate-resilient agriculture to tackle food insecurity, boosting rural resilience and easing pressure linked to hosting large refugee populations.
The initiative includes plans to submit the first-ever single-country project dedicated solely to Chad for consideration at the next GCF Board meeting.
The announcement followed a two-day mission to Chad led by GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte, accompanied by GCF Board Co-Chair Ambassador Seyni Nafo.
The delegation met with senior government officials to align financing with national climate strategies.
In a joint communiqué, Hassan Bakhit Djamous, Chad’s Minister of the Environment, Fishery and Sustainable Development, and Duarte outlined steps to strengthen cooperation.
These include advancing the accreditation application of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economy and International Cooperation to become a GCF Accredited Entity and establishing a multi-year partnership framework.
Duarte reaffirmed GCF’s commitment to supporting Chad, describing the country as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations.
She said recent institutional reforms within the Fund would enable faster and more effective deployment of climate finance aligned with government priorities.
Chad faces escalating climate threats, including recurrent droughts, floods and desertification, which have worsened food insecurity.
The country is also grappling with over one million Sudanese refugees and returning nationals who have crossed into Chad since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in 2023, compounding environmental and socio-economic pressures.
The mission took place ahead of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, where the GCF is expected to spotlight its climate support for African countries, particularly in the water sector, the Union’s theme for the year.
