The International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI-Africa) was founded in 2013, born out of a critical necessity to place African youth at the very center of the global climate conversation. Our inception began in Nigeria, driven by a coalition of young professionals who recognized a widening gap between high-level climate science, international policy frameworks, and the grassroots realities facing local communities.

Our founding vision was—and remains—simple yet powerful: to build a climate-smart generation across Africa. We believe that resilience to the climate crisis cannot be imported; it must be co-developed with local stakeholders, rooted in indigenous knowledge, and amplified by innovation. Over the last decade, we have evolved from a local community group into a dynamic Pan-African movement.

We have achieved this by integrating into major continental platforms like the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network and participating in high-level policy spaces such as the United Nations climate negotiations. Today, ICCDI is recognized not just as an NGO, but as a credible, youth-led institution that has empowered thousands of young Africans to become active architects of a sustainable future.

Read our full story here: About ICCDI Africa »
Meet the team behind the vision: Board & Management Team »

We take a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that we categorize into six core Impact Areas. We understand that climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a developmental, economic, and social justice issue. Therefore, our work is structured to address these intersecting challenges simultaneously:

• Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): We focus on building community resilience against extreme weather events like floods and droughts through early warning systems and education.
• Renewable Energy: We champion the transition from fossil fuels by promoting affordable solar, wind, and biomass solutions, particularly through the African Women Energy Entrepreneurs Framework (AWEEF).
• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): We treat access to safe water as a human right, linking sanitation solutions (like our Bottle Toilet Project) directly to climate resilience.
• Sustainable Agriculture: We empower smallholder farmers with soil health management and water-efficient farming techniques to ensure food security.
• Women & Youth Empowerment: We invest in leadership development, ensuring these groups are not passive beneficiaries but leaders in the transition.
• Biodiversity Conservation: We advance ecosystem restoration and reforestation to protect Africa’s natural heritage.

Explore our specific interventions: Our Impact Areas »
Partner with us on a specific pillar: Contact Our Team »

Our work on Net-Zero is one of our most critical advocacy pillars, specifically designed to demystify complex global concepts for a Nigerian audience. Through our “Building a Campaign Strategy on Net-Zero in Nigeria” and the RANTZ (Raising Awareness on Net-Zero) project, we are translating technical jargon into accessible, actionable messages for everyday citizens.

For Nigeria, “Net-Zero” is not just a distant policy objective; it is a developmental pathway. We help communities understand that achieving net-zero emissions translates directly to cleaner air, healthier cities, the creation of green jobs, and long-term energy security.

Our strategy involves multi-stakeholder dialogues, town halls, and media outreach to mobilize young people and local leaders. By linking climate action to tangible daily issues—such as health, livelihoods, and food security—we are building public support that fosters accountability from decision-makers. We are working to ensure that Nigeria’s transition away from carbon-intensive industries is “just,” inclusive, and people-centered.

Learn more about our Advocacy work: Projects & Initiatives »
Join the conversation: Follow #ClimateWednesday »

At the heart of our mission is the conviction that women are powerful drivers of change, not just victims of climate impacts. Through initiatives like Girls & Women for a Greener Future (GWGF) and the African Women Energy Entrepreneurs Framework (AWEEF), we address the systemic barriers that hold women back, such as limited access to finance, training, and representation.

Our approach is two-fold:

1. Economic Empowerment: We train women in clean energy enterprises and sustainable agriculture, giving them the economic tools to lead independent, resilient lives.
2. Leadership & Advocacy: We provide platforms for women to highlight their voices in national and international decision-making spaces.

We ensure that women are active architects of Africa’s sustainable future. By focusing on gender-responsive climate action, we improve outcomes for entire families and communities.

Read about our Gender initiatives: Women & Youth Empowerment »
Support a female entrepreneur: Donate to AWEEF »

The Bottle Toilet Project is one of our most innovative and tangible success stories. It sits at the intersection of Waste Management and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).

In many vulnerable communities, open defecation is a major health crisis, and traditional building materials are expensive. Simultaneously, plastic waste pollution is a scourge on the environment. Our solution transforms plastic waste (PET bottles) into durable, eco-friendly bricks to construct sanitation facilities.

This model provides safe, affordable toilets in underserved communities, significantly reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and restoring dignity to residents. It is a circular economy solution: we clean up the environment by removing plastic waste, and we use that waste to solve a public health infrastructure problem.

See the project in action: Project Gallery »
Sponsor a Bottle Toilet: Donate Page »

We actively seek partnerships with the private sector to scale our impact. We offer a robust platform for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that goes beyond simple charity. By partnering with ICCDI, corporations can align their sustainability goals with tangible, on-the-ground metrics in renewable energy, community resilience, and youth empowerment.

We provide our partners with:

• Credibility: Association with a recognized, award-winning youth-led organization.
• Reporting: Clear monitoring and evaluation (led by our M&E Lead, Shittu Ismaila) to show the ROI of your social investment.
• Visibility: Opportunities to be featured in our Climate Wednesday campaigns and reports.

We also collaborate on advocacy regarding Methane Pollution Emissions and other industrial impacts, helping companies navigate the transition to cleaner operations.

View our current partners: Partnerships Page »
Discuss a CSR partnership: Email Our Executive Director »

While our vision and reach are Pan-African, our operational headquarters are in Lagos, Nigeria.

Our Physical Address is:
5 University Road, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

We encourage media inquiries, collaboration proposals, and visits (by appointment). We also have a strong digital presence to bridge the gap across the continent.

• Phone: +234 813 345 1818
• General Email: info@iccdiafrica.org
• Media/Campaign Email: climatewednesday@gmail.com

You can also engage with us through our active social media channels for real-time updates, particularly on X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Get in touch: Contact Page »
Follow us on X: @ClimateWed »