Since its launch in 2015, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) has acted as a major catalyst for driving inclusive, city-led responses to climate change and development challenges across the region. With political commitment from over 400 local governments spanning 42 countries and representing more than 166 million residents. CoM SSA supports local governments in developing robust, evidence-based climate and energy plans, as well as scaling impactful, bankable climate and urban solutions.
The initiative spans the full climate action cycle, from planning to implementation, with a strong focus on unlocking climate finance for local solutions and deepening engagements with the private sector. Private sector collaboration is central to scaling up impactful, bankable climate solutions. By connecting local governments with investors, innovators and market actors, CoM SSA aims to catalyse sustainable business models, attract long-term investment and accelerate climate-resilient action.
CoM SSA has grown into a flagship of EU–Africa cooperation. It reflects a shared commitment by co-funders and implementers to support urban transformation through sustained engagement, European expertise and local capacities. CoM SSA is the regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), the world’s largest alliance for city climate leadership, connecting CoM SSA signatories to a global network of subnational actors and partners.
