Article 11 of the Paris Agreement places capacity building at the heart of effective climate action; recognizing that without strengthened institutions, knowledge, and skills; ambitions cannot translate into results. For Africa, where climate impacts are already reshaping livelihoods and economies, readiness to participate fully in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes is essential. It is in direct response to this need that the AGNES designed the Climate Governance, Diplomacy, and Negotiations Leadership Program (CLP). Since its launch in 2020, the course has grown into a continental program preparing negotiators, policymakers, and technical experts to lead Africa’s climate response.
A Journey Built from Vision to Scale
The program began with just 17 participants in its inaugural cohort, setting a strong foundation in mentorship, knowledge exchange, and leadership development. However, each subsequent cohort attracted more applicants indicating the dire need amongst Africans in understanding climate action right from the UNFCCC processes. In only five years, the program has expanded, training more than 100 participants per cohort on average; attracting professionals, policymakers, researchers, early career fellows and students from across Africa. Today, over 1,800 alumni have successfully gone through the program, making the CLP one of the most significant and far-reaching climate capacity development efforts on the continent.
The CLP has continually evolved to reflect Africa’s changing climate challenges and negotiation priorities. It was launched with 4 foundational modules focusing on climate science; international and national climate change governance; climate change leadership and diplomacy; and climate finance, gender and climate action implementation. In its second iteration, the program grew to 7 modules, adding long-term low emission and climate-resilient development and decision support tools, climate technology and gender, and monitoring, evaluation and learning with MRV. The most recent design now delivers 10 modules, incorporating Article 6 of the Paris Agreement; climate justice and litigation; and climate, peace, and security.
Scale of Impact of the CLP
Recently, the AGNES conducted an assessment of the CLP focusing on the extent to which the program has enhanced participants’ knowledge, skills, attitude and its practical application. The aim was also to generate evidence of how the program has strengthened Africa’s climate leadership capacity to engage in the climate policy discourse and contribute to climate action at national and regional levels. The survey attracted 524 participants; among the respondents, were 344 males and 180 females, from 45 different countries. The age distribution included 40 respondents aged 18-24years, 239 aged 25-35years, 164 aged 36-45, 58 aged 46-55years, and 21 over 55 years old.
Sector-wise, the participants were distributed across Academia (107), Civil Society Organizations (161), Government (128), and Private Sector organizations (128), reflecting a diverse and representative sample of the program’s stakeholders.
From the respondents, 84% of the participants reported to have applied the learned skills, while 70% reported career growth such as promotions and new responsibilities thus underpinning the program’s role in building African climate leadership capacity among the participants.
Looking Ahead: From Program to Institution
The assessment recommends institutionalization the program through universities and learning institutions to secure sustainability and wider reach. Plans are underway for the establishment of the Jael Vike Climate Change Training Institute in Kajiado West, envisioned as a regional hub for postgraduate training, short courses, and masterclasses. Institutionalization will further allow for expansion into other emerging capacity needs in areas such as carbon markets, the climate–health nexus, and AI for climate action, among others.
Conclusion
The CLP has proven its value, equipping more than 1,800 African professionals with the skills to shape climate policy nationally, regionally, and globally. This means the CLP is not just a training program but a proven pathway to professional growth. Therefore, Africans looking to build careers in climate governance, strengthen their negotiating skills, or shape national and international policy processes will find it directly relevant to their aspirations. Demand continues to grow, and the future vision is clear. Interested participants should watch for upcoming calls to join the course.