AGNES-JAEL VIKE CLIMATE POLICY CENTRE TRAINING
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in the global climate discourse. Despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent faces some of the most severe climate impacts. Addressing these complex challenges demands more than policy—it requires a new generation of well-equipped leaders. The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), through the Jael Vike Climate Policy Centre, plays a crucial role in building Africa’s capacity to respond through specialized training and leadership development programs.
Building on the success of its flagship Climate Governance, Diplomacy, and Negotiations Leadership Program, which has trained over 1,375 experts across Africa, AGNES now offers specialized programs in climate finance, digital innovation, ESG integration, and climate risk management. These programs respond to the growing need for robust, Africa-centric solutions that address climate vulnerability, finance, technology, and policy gaps.
CLIMATE GOVERNANCE, DIPLOMACY AND NEGOTIATIONS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (CLP)
Climate Change presents one of the biggest threats to sustainable development globally. Its widespread unprecedented impacts disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable majority – a significant number of whom live in Africa.
The most prominent global policy response to climate change is currently covered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). There is a clear evidence that Africa is constrained by its limited capacity to effectively participate in the international climate change policy discourse to foster climate actions at regional and national levels. Climate Change diplomacy and negotiations are often technical and complex. It is difficult for new negotiators to fully grasp the nuances of the proceedings even over a period of many years.
The African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) has designed this training Program on climate governance, diplomacy and negotiations leadership with a view to address this important continental challenge. This is a call for applications to eligible applicants. Read more
ADVANCED SHORT COURSES
1. Climate Information Services
Climate change is reshaping lives and livelihoods across Africa, with extreme weather and climate variability creating urgent demands for timely, reliable, and actionable climate information. Yet, access and effective use of Climate Information Services (CIS) remain limited by barriers such as technical complexity, accessibility challenges, and weak integration into decision-making.
The Advanced Course on Climate Information Services, developed by AGNES in partnership with AICCRA and the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT, is designed to close this gap. This 5-week intensive online training equips professionals from government, NGOs, civil society, and research institutions with the knowledge and practical skills to design, deliver, and apply CIS in real-world contexts. Anchored in African realities and taught by leading experts, the programme blends scientific depth, applied learning, and participatory engagement to help participants transform climate data into informed action across key sectors and policies. Read more
2. Climate Outlook, Impact Assessment, and Climate Risk Management
Africa faces growing challenges from climate change, with extreme weather events disrupting ecosystems, economies, and communities. Responding effectively requires the ability to forecast climate trends, assess impacts, and manage risks through adaptive strategies.
This programme builds the skills needed to turn climate data into action. Participants will gain hands-on experience in climate prediction, impact analysis, and risk reduction, while exploring tools and frameworks to integrate climate information into planning and policy. With a focus on African realities, the course blends scientific insights with practical solutions to strengthen resilience across sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, infrastructure, and disaster management.
By the end of the training, participants will be able to generate localized climate outlooks, conduct impact assessments, design early warning systems, and communicate climate risks effectively to decision-makers and communities. Read more
3. Climate Finance and Innovative Business Models
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey—facing heightened climate vulnerabilities but also immense opportunities for green growth. With abundant renewable resources, vast natural capital, and a dynamic workforce, the continent has the potential to leapfrog into a low-emission, climate-resilient future. Yet, limited access to climate finance remains a major barrier, with Africa currently receiving only 3–4% of global flows.
This programme equips policymakers, practitioners, private sector actors, and development partners with the expertise to unlock climate finance and design innovative business solutions that drive sustainable impact. Through a practical and hands-on approach, participants will learn how to structure bankable projects, develop strong climate rationales, and foster scalable solutions that attract funding from international, regional, and private sector sources.
By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to design catalytic climate projects, craft business models that advance mitigation and adaptation goals, and mobilize investments that accelerate Africa’s green transition. Read more
4. Digital Tecgnology and Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action
Rapid advances in digital technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming how the world responds to climate change. From improving disaster forecasting to optimizing carbon management and strengthening policy decisions, these tools are unlocking new pathways for resilience and sustainability.
This 5-week online course equips professionals, researchers, policymakers, and students with both the theoretical foundation and hands-on skills to harness AI, ML, and digital innovations for climate action. Through interactive lectures, practical labs, and a capstone project, participants will learn to analyze climate data, design technology-driven solutions, and apply advanced tools to real-world adaptation and mitigation challenges.
Graduates will be prepared to contribute to cutting-edge projects in sustainability, pursue careers in climate technology and data science, and drive innovative digital solutions that advance Africa’s climate resilience and green development. Read more
CERTIFICATE COURSES
1. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Climate Science (SMC)1
The Postgraduate Diploma in Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Climate Science (SMC), offered by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) in partnership with WASCAL and the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), equips researchers, policymakers, and climate professionals with advanced skills to critically synthesize scientific evidence on climate change. Rooted in international best practices, the 10-month in-person programme provides rigorous training in systematic data collection, statistical synthesis, and quality assessment, enabling participants to conduct transparent, reproducible reviews and meta-analyses that inform climate policy and practice. Designed for early- and mid-career researchers, postgraduate students, analysts, consultants, and policymakers, SMC addresses the urgent need for professionals capable of producing high-quality, evidence-based insights to guide climate action at local, regional, and global levels. With internationally accredited credentials, practical mentorship, and career pathways spanning academia, policy, and consultancy, the programme strengthens research capacity, supports evidence-based decision-making, and enhances the credibility and impact of climate science. Read More
2. Climate Change, Sustainability, and Environmental, Social and Governance (CCS-ESG)
The Certificate Course in Climate Change, Sustainability, and Environmental, Social and Governance (CCS-ESG), jointly offered by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) and the International Leadership University (ILU), responds to Africa’s urgent need for professionals who can integrate sustainability and ESG principles into policy, business, and investment. Over 12 months (three trimesters), the multidisciplinary programme equips participants with knowledge and practical skills in climate science, ESG frameworks, sustainable finance, climate risk assessment, reporting standards, and governance strategies aligned with the Paris Agreement, the SDGs, and global ESG disclosure practices. Designed for policymakers, corporate leaders, financial institutions, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and development practitioners, the course blends online and hybrid delivery to accommodate working professionals while emphasizing applied learning through projects, case studies, and reporting exercises. Graduates will be prepared for careers as ESG analysts, sustainability consultants, climate risk managers, policy advisors, and climate finance specialists, contributing to Africa’s climate-resilient growth. Fully accredited by Kenya’s Commission for University Education (CUE), the CCS-ESG certificate offers a flexible, high-impact pathway to professional advancement while supporting Africa’s transition to sustainable, ethical, and climate-smart development. Read More
DIPLOMA COURSES
1. Climate, Peace and Security
The Climate, Peace and Security Programme addresses the urgent and complex links between environmental change, conflict, and human security in Africa and beyond. As climate change accelerates through extreme weather, rising seas, resource scarcity, and displacement, it increasingly compounds social, political, and economic tensions—fueling fragility and insecurity in vulnerable regions. This programme is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and tools needed by policymakers, peacebuilders, humanitarian actors, researchers, security personnel, and civil society leaders to analyze and respond to climate-related security risks. Rooted in interdisciplinary approaches, it equips participants to integrate climate considerations into conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and governance strategies, fostering resilience and sustainable peace. With a focus on practical applications such as early warning systems, conflict-sensitive policymaking, climate-responsive peacebuilding, and scenario planning, the programme develops a cadre of professionals capable of bridging climate and security agendas while strengthening collaboration at local, national, and global levels. Read More
2. Climate Change and Legislative Drafting (CCLD)
This Course in Climate Change and Legislative Drafting (CCLD), jointly offered by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), responds to the urgent need for strong legal frameworks to address the escalating impacts of climate change. Running for 12 months over two semesters, the programme equips participants with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical drafting skills to translate climate policies into clear, coherent, and enforceable laws aligned with national priorities and international commitments such as the Paris Agreement. Through modules on climate science, policy and legal frameworks, comparative legislative studies, drafting principles, public consultation, and legal research, participants will gain the expertise to develop, review, and amend climate-related legislation that advances sustainability, justice, and resilience. Designed for legislative drafters, policymakers, legal practitioners, climate experts, researchers, NGOs, and development professionals, the course emphasizes applied learning, including a dissertation project, to build technical capacity and foster good legislative practices. Graduates will be equipped to bridge the gap between science, policy, and law, strengthening climate governance and contributing to effective national and regional climate action. Read More