Focus on anticipatory systems and disaster risk financing mechanisms tailored to African contexts

The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, with support from the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP) and the Centre for Disaster Protection, successfully convened the high-level, closed-door workshop “Continental Achievements, Action and Ambition on Getting Ahead of Disasters” in Nairobi, Kenya. The outcomes of this workshop are now published.

Regional collaboration at the heart

At this event from 27–31 October 2025, senior representatives and technical experts from Africa’s intergovernmental organizations, regional economic communities, and national institutions reflected jointly on progress, coordination, and how to chart a forward-looking path for disaster preparedness, early action, and resilience across the continent.

Under Chatham House Rules, participants engaged in candid, solution-oriented dialogue, sharing hard-won experiences, identifying gaps, and aligning on actionable priorities to scale anticipatory systems and disaster risk financing mechanisms tailored to African contexts.

As Ms. Viola Otieno, host of the workshop and Early Warning and Early Action Expert, AMHEWAS (Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System) Programme, at the African Union Commission, reflected: “This workshop was about turning lessons into action – sharing what works in early warning and early action, strengthening how we coordinate across borders, unlocking homegrown solutions for resilience, and ensuring Africa leads the global conversation on getting ahead of disasters before they strike.”

Clear ways forward identified

1. Move away from projectisation, and collaborate towards the institutionalisation of Early Warning, Early Action across the African Union and Africa. Embed responsibilities in legislation, national budgets, and institutional mandates. Strengthen inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination through formal mechanisms, joint planning, and shared accountability.
2. Building on the valuable developments on EWEA over the last decades, pursue diversified financing pathways beyond ODA and the international aid and finance architecture, including domestic resource mobilisation, regional financing facilities, private sector engagement, philanthropy, diaspora finance, and innovative taxation or CSR mechanisms, and advocate for systemic reform.
3. Strengthen structured dialogue and joint ownership between Ministries of Finance and Ministries/authorities responsible for Disaster Risk Management through shared strategies, coordinated budgeting, and co-developed Disaster Risk Financing and Pre-Arrange Finance frameworks.
4. Invest in African-led capacity-building in data systems, impact-based forecasting, trigger design, DRF instruments, and public financial management. Develop open-source, interoperable data platforms and harmonised standards. Strengthen regional centres of excellence, universities, and REC technical units to generate evidence, negotiate financing, and design context-specific solutions.
5. Promote structured peer learning through study tours, staff secondments, simulation exercises, and communities of practice. Establish accessible regional knowledge hubs and sharing portals. Encourage South–South and inter-regional exchanges, joint publications, and an annual continental or regional “State of DRM” process to showcase African solutions and foster collective leadership.

“This workshop was a powerful testament to what’s possible when African institutions lead, and partners walk alongside them. Together, we’re not just talking about early warning and early action: we’re building new ways of working, based on lessons from the past, acknowledging the challenges of the future, for solutions at scale, continent-wide, hand in hand,” said Catalina Jaime, Head of the REAP Secretariat.

“This workshop has been refreshing, especially seeing African governments coming together to not only share their experiences on disaster preparedness and resilience building, but also as a demonstration that the continent is ready to lead the way in getting ahead of disasters,” said Duncan Khalai, Centre for Disaster Protection Lead Consultant.

The African Union Commission, REAP, and the Centre thank all participants for their commitment and look forward to advancing the commitments made in Nairobi through concrete regional initiatives and policy action in the coming year.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Viola Otieno, Early Warning and Early Action Expert (Drought and Wildfires), AMHEWAS Programme | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: OtienoV@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media enquiry:

Mr Molalet Tsedeke | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-911-630 631 | E-mail: MolaletT@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst – Disaster Risk Reduction | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | African Union Commission | E-mail: MuriukiM@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Information and Communication, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Centre for Disaster Protection

Helen Wright | Lysander PR | +447842 729 579 | E-mail: Helen@lysanderpr.com

Michelle Worvell | Lysander PR | +447810 531 035 | E-mail: Michelle@lysanderpr.com

Pauline Trepczyk, Coordinator, Partnerships and Communications | Risk-informed Early Action Partnership | E-mail: pauline.trepczyk@ifrc.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia