African cities apply new planning tool to guide urban NbS action for climate resilience: insights from Addis Ababa and Kigali

Abstract

Cities across Sub Saharan Africa face mounting climate risks, yet many lack financial resources, institutional capacity, and planning tools needed to implement effective and locally relevant resilience strategies. Recent research underscores the critical role of urban NbS in addressing the growing challenges faced by rapidly expanding African cities. To support local decision-making, World Resources Institute developed the Strategic NbS Framework—a practical tool designed to help cities identify, evaluate, and prioritize NbS interventions that align with community needs and climate vulnerabilities. This paper examines the application of the Framework in two pilot cities, Addis Ababa and Kigali, and distills actionable lessons for policymakers, urban planners, and civil society actors working to integrate NbS into urban development and climate resilience planning.