Economic and climate diplomacy: African officials equipped to advance continental priorities

Dakar, Senegal, 13 February 2026 - A five-day training on "Economic and Climate Change Diplomacy: Advancing Africa's Interests on the Global Stage" concluded today in Dakar, equipping senior African officials with negotiation tools ahead of major global forums, including COP31 in November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, and the COP32, which will be hosted by Ethiopia in 2027.

Hosted by the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) in partnership with the Centre d'Excellence pour le Leadership et le Management pour le Développement de l'Afrique (CELMAD), the training brought together high-level diplomats and policymakers from fourteen African nations: Burkina Faso, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The Gambia, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia.

From Theory to Practice: Simulating High-Stakes Negotiations

Throughout the week, participants moved beyond theoretical frameworks to engage in realistic, hands-on simulations designed to mirror the complexity of international climate and economic negotiations.

A core focus was The Art of Climate Negotiation, where delegates applied advanced frameworks - including the 5×5 Negotiation Model, Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA), and Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA) - to address Africa's critical priorities: climate finance, loss and damage, adaptation funding, and a just energy transition. The training culminated in a dynamic, multi-party COP-style negotiation simulation, where officials practised building coalitions, articulating unified African positions, and navigating high-pressure diplomatic engagements.

"This was not a traditional workshop, it was a diplomatic drill," said Ms. Noelle Chao Mutta from Kenya. "We didn't just learn about negotiation; we lived it. The simulation forced us to think on our feet, align our interests, and defend Africa's agenda with one voice."

Strengthening Africa's Voice Ahead of COP31 and COP32

The timing of the training is strategically significant as Africa prepares for COP31 and looks ahead to hosting COP32 in Ethiopia in 2027. The skills honed in Dakar are designed to ensure African negotiators enter these global forums not as observers, but as influential architects of climate and economic policy.

In her remarks, Ms. Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of IDEP, emphasized the urgency of the initiative: "Africa faces a paradox: minimal emissions, maximum impact. This training is an investment in the diplomats who will transform our vulnerability into advocacy and our potential into tangible agreements."

Mr. Fodé Ndiaye, President-Coordinator of CELMAD, highlighted the importance of unity: "When Africa speaks with a coordinated voice, it commands attention. This course has reinforced the frameworks and relationships needed to negotiate from a position of collective strength."

Mr. Mamadou Soulé Guèye of Senegal, who delivered the official opening address on behalf of the host government, reflected: "We leave Dakar better prepared, better connected, and better aligned. The real work begins now - translating this experience into outcomes that benefit our people and our planet."

A Foundation for Future Advocacy

The closing ceremony reflected on the week's outcomes, with participants developing personalized action plans to apply their enhanced negotiation and coalition-building skills in upcoming bilateral and multilateral engagements. As delegates return to their capitals, they carry forward not only a certificate of completion but also a reinforced network of peers and a practical toolkit for diplomatic engagement.

The course served as a foundational step in building the cohesive, confident African diplomacy required to advance the continent's interests in an era defined by climate and economic transformation.

Building on the success of this inaugural session, IDEP and CELMAD will convene a second iteration of this critical training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in April 2026. This subsequent session will extend the opportunity to a new cohort of officials from other African member States, further broadening the continent's cadre of skilled climate and economic diplomats.

About IDEP:

The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) is a United Nations institution dedicated to strengthening the capacities of African governments in economic policy, planning, and management. Learn more at https://knowledge.uneca.org/idep/

About CELMAD:

The Centre d'Excellence pour le Leadership et le Management pour le Développement de l'Afrique (CELMAD) is a pan-African institution focused on fostering transformational leadership and strategic management for the continent's development.

IDEP Contact:
Ms. Catherine Lalyre
Training and Research Division
[email protected]
Mob: +221 77 650 44 51

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: [email protected]