Monrovia, Liberia — February 3–6, 2026 The Natural Resource Women Platform (NRWP), in partnership with the WoMin Alliance Trust, convened the African Women’s Climate Assembly (WCA) Steering Committee Strategic Reflection and Planning Meeting.
This historic gathering brought together feminist leaders and grassroots organizers from ten African countries, marking a decisive turning point in the Assembly’s journey. The WCA is officially transitioning from a model of periodic convenings into a permanent, structured feminist political movement deeply rooted in the lived realities of African women.
Addressing the Root Causes of Climate Injustice
The meeting was driven by a critical recognition: women across Africa disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change – drought, extreme heat, land degradation, and food insecurity while simultaneously resisting the expansion of extractive industries such as mining, oil, and gas. Participants articulated a powerful stance: climate injustice in Africa is not accidental, but the direct outcome of development models that prioritize corporate profit and elite capture over the well-being of people and ecosystems.
Rejecting dependence on international negotiation cycles or global summits, the Assembly committed to year-round activism. Its organizing will now be guided by the continuous realities of communities rather than the artificial calendars of international policy spaces.
Tangible Grassroots Impact
The WCA’s movement-based approach has already catalyzed significant change across the continent:
Nigeria: Women spearhead mangrove restoration projects.
Liberia: Village savings associations, seed banks, and communal farming strengthen food sovereignty.
Senegal: Fishing communities mobilize against petroleum exploitation.
Sierra Leone: District-level governance platforms now support clear action plans.
Guinea & Burkina Faso: Agroecology initiatives advance sustainable farming practices.
These achievements highlight a broader shift: women’s leadership is deepening, Pan-African solidarity is expanding, and climate change is increasingly understood as a structural issue of justice.
Institutionalizing the Movement
To consolidate progress, the Steering Committee adopted transformative governance measures ensuring institutional longevity:
Five-year tenure (2026–2030): Providing strategic continuity
Shared fundraising responsibilities: Distributing resource mobilization
across member organizations.
Strengthened Secretariat: Expanded with a third supporting organization.
Biennial meetings: Cameroon will host the next assembly in October 2026.
By formalizing governance structures, the WCA is moving from reflective discourse into disciplined, long-term implementation.
A Historic Turning Point
The Monrovia meeting represents a watershed moment for NRWP and its regional allies. By prioritizing political autonomy, collective care, and durable strategic frameworks over short-term mobilization, the WCA is establishing itself as a lasting Pan-African force. This consolidation is ultimately about reclaiming climate discourse – ensuring Africa’s development is not dictated by external agendas but firmly rooted in the leadership, resilience, and vision of African women.