Towards More Accountable Climate Finance: OSS Shares Expertise and Strengthens Engagement with the GCF

Panama City, 15–18 September 2026

The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) took part in a series of regional workshops convened under Green Climate Fund (GCF) initiatives on accountability, integrity and peer learning, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening governance and institutional effectiveness across its climate finance operations.

The OSS delegation, comprising Mr Omar Ennaifer and Ms Kaouther Hamrouni, from the Integrity Unit, joined representatives of Accredited Entities and institutional stakeholders for four days of exchanges on the systems and practices that underpin transparent, accountable and effective climate finance.

For the OSS, these discussions hold particular significance given its role as a GCF Direct Access regional Accredited Entity and its continued engagement in supporting African countries in accessing and implementing climate finance.

Strengthening the foundations of effective climate finance
The workshops addressed key dimensions of institutional accountability, including integrity frameworks, grievance redress mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), lessons learned and organizational learning.

Particular attention was given to M&E as a strategic function that goes beyond measuring project performance. Robust monitoring and evaluation systems generate evidence, inform decision-making, strengthen accountability and enable institutions to continuously improve the way climate finance is programmed and implemented.

Integrity and accountability are equally essential to maintaining confidence among countries, communities, partners and financing institutions. For Accredited Entities, strong institutional systems are therefore fundamental to translating climate finance into credible and sustainable results.

Turning peer learning into stronger institutional practices
Peer learning was a central dimension of the workshops. Participating institutions shared practical experiences, examined common implementation challenges and identified approaches to strengthen their systems and processes.

For the OSS, the exchanges provided a twofold opportunity: to share experience gained through its engagement in climate finance in Africa, while drawing on lessons and practices from peer institutions to further strengthen its own institutional systems.

This continuous learning is particularly important as climate finance mechanisms evolve and Accredited Entities are expected to combine robust governance standards with the capacity to respond effectively to countries’ climate priorities.

OSS: connecting climate finance with African priorities
As a GCF Direct Access regional Accredited Entity since 2017, the OSS contributes to connecting international climate finance mechanisms with the priorities and realities of African countries.

Through climate projects and programmes, capacity development and institutional support, the Organization works alongside its partner countries to help translate climate priorities into concrete and financeable interventions.

Its engagement goes beyond project implementation. The OSS also supports institutional strengthening and readiness processes, helping countries and national institutions develop the capacities, systems and frameworks required to engage more effectively with climate finance mechanisms.

This regional role makes strong internal systems for integrity, accountability, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring, evaluation and learning particularly important. Their continuous strengthening enhances both the Organization’s institutional performance and its capacity to provide credible and effective support to its partners.

From institutional learning to stronger climate action in Africa
The Panama workshops therefore went beyond knowledge-sharing. The lessons and experiences gained provide an opportunity for the OSS to further strengthen its institutional systems and enhance the quality of its engagement with the GCF and its partner countries.

Looking ahead, the Organization intends to build on these exchanges to further consolidate integrity, accountability, monitoring, evaluation and organizational learning across its climate finance portfolio.

This institutional strengthening supports a broader ambition: enhancing the OSS’s capacity to accompany African countries in developing robust institutions, credible climate programmes and stronger pathways to climate finance.

By combining regional expertise, direct access to climate finance, institutional learning and strengthened governance, the OSS seeks to consolidate its role as a trusted regional partner, connecting African priorities with climate finance opportunities and supporting their translation into concrete and sustainable action.

Its engagement in the GCF’s accountability and peer-learning processes thus contributes to a wider objective: more transparent, effective and accountable climate finance that responds to African priorities and delivers lasting results for countries and communities.