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Nairobi, Kenya, 8-9 December 2022 – ‘’Climate change is the most crucial existential phenomenon that Africa, and indeed the world, is currently facing,” said Prince Rahim Aga Khan. He was delivering an address virtually, to an audience of distinguished guests gathered in Nairobi’s Karura Forest, during the opening of the Nation Media Group’s (NMG) fourth edition of the Kusi Ideas Festival: Climate Change: Exploring African Responses and Solutions.

"Like the Kusi trade winds that opened new markets and enabled trade and the flow of ideas between Asia and Africa for centuries, Nation Media Group, which is a part of the Aga Khan Development Network, has sought to enable a “Pan-African ideas transaction market” to discuss the issues facing Africa and what actions the continent should consider in order to secure a bright future in the 21st century." Prince Rahim Aga Khan

The Nation Media Group’s fourth edition of the Kusi Ideas Festival was themed: Climate Change: Exploring African Responses and Solutions. The Festival brought together the best minds to explore solutions to the impact of the warming climate on the continent.

Africa continues to be amongst the worst hit by the consequences of climate change, despite having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions. Drought is causing 40 million people in the Horn of Africa to face famine, with warming and rising sea levels causing further food insecurity, economic difficulties and health problems.

Prince Rahim delivered a virtual address at the Festival, saying “Climate change is the most crucial existential phenomenon that Africa, and indeed the world, is currently facing”. He outlined AKDN’s commitment to respond to this crisis and gave examples of its transformational work in Africa, ranging from educating future leaders to generating solar energy and planting mangroves.