Strengthening collaboration for effective project preparation: Key takeaways from the GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership workshop at the UrbanShift Africa Forum

In February 2025, as part of the Green and Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, cities from across the continent gathered for an interactive session on local climate project preparation, hosted by the GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership, in collaboration with C40 Cities’ Cities Finance Facility (CFF). 

The session, organized in the margins of C40’s Investors Roundtable, brought together representatives from over 15 African cities, including Lagos (Nigeria), Lusaka (Zambia), Lilongwe (Malawi), Nakuru (Kenya), Koidu and Freetown (Sierra Leone), Pikine (Senegal), Embu, Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa (Kenya), Makindye (Uganda), as well as Cape Town, eThekwini, and Johannesburg (South Africa). It also featured technical and financial partners such as CDP and Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA).

With African cities facing an estimated investment gap of $130-170 billion annually according to the African Development Bank, effective project preparation is critical in transforming urban development goals into bankable implementable projects. However, several persistent barriers hinder this process, including limited local technical capacity to develop robust climate projects, inadequate preparation and financing strategies as well as fragmented collaboration among stakeholders.

The session focused on strategies to address these challenges and strengthen African cities’ expertise in project preparation.

Building cities’ expertise in project development

A key focus of the session was addressing the knowledge gaps identified in previous workshops with African cities. Participants were provided with a comprehensive toolbox of essential resources and partners available to support them throughout the entire project preparation process. An interactive discussion further clarified the roles and contributions of various technical and financial partners, enabling cities to gain a clearer understanding of the scope of support available to them. Additionally, cities had the opportunity to engage directly with financiers and technical partners in the room – including with Everlyne Otieno, Urban Specialist at the European Investment Bank (EIB) working on the Gap Fund – which allowed them to better understand the often complex requirements and processes of these institutions. 

Several new project ideas emerged during the session, including plans for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Lusaka, Zambia, a solarization initiative for local markets in Nakuru, Kenya, and a request for a pre-feasibility study in Lilongwe, Malawi to assess the investments needed for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – an initiative that would support the city’s efforts to incorporate ecosystem-based approaches into its climate adaptation strategy.

Strengthening collaboration among Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) in Africa

With over 15 project preparation facilities active at the city level in Africa, improved coordination among these actors is essential to avoid duplication and ensure streamlined technical assistance (CPI, 2024). The session emphasized the need for greater alignment between PPFs working with the same cities.

A key contribution came from Kruti Munot, Project Component Manager at GIZ, who highlighted the ongoing support provided through the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA). She emphasized the strengthening collaboration between CoM SSA, GIZ, and CFF in advancing project preparation, along with the extensive network CoM SSA has cultivated with a diverse range of partners to ensure alignment and create co-financing opportunities. Starting in April 2024, this partnership will be further strengthened to deliver even more comprehensive support to African cities.

Peer-to-Peer learning: lessons from Kenyan counties

The session also featured case studies from Kenyan counties – Kisumu, Mombasa, and Embu – which have successfully leveraged the Gap Fund’s technical assistance. These counties shared their experiences, challenges, and strategies for advancing the development of their project concepts. 

A key highlight was Kisumu County’s waste-to-biogas project, which received Gap Fund support. The project gained international recognition at the Cities and Climate Change Technical Workshop in Mombasa (May 2023), where the European Investment Bank (EIB) expressed interest in supporting it (read more here). This underscores the importance of showcasing projects at high-level international events to attract potential funders or investors.

Further, Kisumu County offered to host peer-to-peer learning sessions for other Kenyan counties on waste management master plans, while Mombasa extended an invitation to share insights on prioritizing activities in their climate action plan – a process supported by the World Bank’s Gap Fund Technical Assistance.

A call for a more coordinated future

The session highlighted the importance of collaboration – among PPFs, between cities, and with financial partners – to unlock additional support for local climate projects. By fostering peer-to-peer learning and cross-city exchanges, the workshop empowered African cities to strengthen project preparation and secure the technical and financial support they need.

Melissa Kerim, Regional Engagement Lead for the GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership in Africa, reaffirmed that thematic and national peer-to-peer exchanges will continue throughout 2025, ensuring that knowledge, related to project preparation and the Gap Fund, is widely disseminated across African cities. As partnerships deepen, cities will be better positioned to turn their climate ambitions into tangible, impactful projects for a more sustainable future.

About:

The GCoM-Gap Fund Partnership is a collaborative initiative between the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) and the Gap Fund aiming to enhance awareness of the Gap Fund as a crucial resource for local governments to receive technical assistance and accelerate the implementation of climate plans and actions. Through specialised events and targeted guidance, cities can transform their sustainable energy and climate action plans into project ideas ready to apply for the Gap Fund. The Global Covenant of Mayors leverages its expertise to support local governments in preparing strong and eligible applications for the fund.

The Cities’ Cities Finance Facility (CFF) supports cities in the Global South to develop climate action infrastructure projects and link them to finance. Through direct in-city support, the CFF works to support city officials in designing and developing urgent city infrastructure that put the interests of cities, and their residents, first.  Jointly implemented by C40 and GIZ, CFF puts together C40’s global network of climate leaders with the world class expertise in sustainable development cooperation brought by GIZ. City support is awarded through a competitive selection process and a dedicated expert team based in the city and remotely.