The AU-AIP Multi-country GCF Readiness Support Programme aims to accelerate and enhance the investment into gender-responsive climate resilience in Africa by advancing Direct Access and developing country-level strategic frameworks and investment programmes for climate-resilient water resources management. This programme will further support countries by filling a key financing gap in the early-stage project development cycle by supporting the development of Concept Notes for country and transboundary projects.

While some countries have developed water-related concept note, this GCF readiness initiative will not only support the development of new concept notes but also facilitate further development and progression of relevant and appropriate existing concept notes. This will ensure that existing concepts are advanced while new project ideas are rapidly advanced along the project development cycle and that key African climate resilience objectives are achieved.

The 15 participating countries have provided specific input on readiness activities that are urgently required for their country, such as the development of private sector strategies, the development of entity work plans for countries with existing Direct Access Entities and additional capacity building on climate finance programming for climate-resilient water resources management.

This section provides a brief contextual overview for each of the 15 participating countries.