Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – The City of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, hosted the fourth C40 Cities Regional Leadership Masterclass on Climate Governance, from 4 to 5 March 2026. This landmark event, themed “From Policy to Action, Advancing Climate Action for Transformative Change in African Cities,” marked the official handover of the Urban Climate Action Programme – Climate Action Implementation (UCAP CAI) in the city, signaling a new chapter of locally-led climate leadership.
The event was organised by C40 Cities with support from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British High Commission Dar Es Salaam. The Masterclass convened political leaders and senior decision-makers, with the aim of fostering regional dialogue, sharing best practices, and addressing institutional gaps to unlock the climate finance needed for large-scale urban implementation.
A Milestone for Sustainable Markets: The “Green City Markets” Roadmaps
As the commercial hub of Tanzania and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, Dar es Salaam faces significant climate vulnerabilities. With 60% of its emissions stemming from Energy and Buildings, and 29% from Waste, the city is prioritising high-impact solutions to address its emissions, estimated at nearly 9m tonnes of CO2 every year.
A highlight of the event was the official launch of the Dar es Salaam “Green City Markets” Waste & Energy Transformation Roadmaps, which serves as a blueprint for transforming municipal markets into hubs of sustainability, integrating waste-to-energy solutions and renewable power into the city’s daily service delivery. This strategic initiative focuses on:
- Waste Diversion: Implementing plans to divert 15,752 tonnes/year of organic waste to existing compost plants and 10,071 tonnes/year to Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) facilities.
- Addressing Food Waste: Tackling the challenge at the Pugu dumpsite, where food waste currently accounts for 71% of organic waste.
- Energy Transformation: Developing pathways to improve energy security in a city where 54% of households currently lack electricity connectivity.
Dar es Salaam’s Leadership and UCAP CAI Legacy
The Masterclass and handover ceremony represent the culmination of years of technical assistance and capacity building provided through the UCAP CAI programme. Dar es Salaam has successfully institutionalised its Climate Action Plan (CAP), integrating climate priorities into core city planning and budgeting frameworks.
His Lordship, Nurdin Billal Juma, Lord Mayor of Dar es Salaam, said: “The City had adopted the Dar es Salaam Climate Action Plan (2020–2050) with the technical guidance and global best-practice support of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, helping us align local priorities with international climate science while ensuring solutions are grounded in our city’s unique realities. These initiatives not only reduce emissions but also improve public health, create economic opportunities, and contribute to a more sustainable urban future. Climate governance requires that climate considerations be integrated into transport, housing, energy systems, coastal management, and urban development planning not as a parallel agenda, but as a core development priority.”
British High Commission Dar es Salaam noted that “Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, but they are also at the forefront of the solutions. Through its support to C40 Cities, the UK contributes to strengthening climate governance and implementation in urban centres. Initiatives such as the Urban Climate Action Programme provide technical expertise and capacity-building support to help cities translate climate commitments into practical action.”
Njenga Muchekehu, C40 Deputy Regional Director for Africa, said: “Dar es Salaam is a powerful example of how African cities can turn climate challenges into opportunities for growth. The city’s focus on waste-to-wealth and energy resilience provides a scalable model for the entire region. As we handover the UCAP CAI programme, we celebrate a legacy of strengthened governance that will empower Dar es Salaam to attract the climate finance necessary for transformative urban change”.
Masterclass Focus
The Regional Leadership Masterclass focused on five key pillars of climate-smart leadership:
- Climate Literacy: Helping leaders understand the localised impacts of climate change on their wards.
- Scaled Action: Moving from policy to high-impact, scalable infrastructure projects.
- Institutional Alignment: Closing coordination gaps to increase investor confidence.
- Strategic Planning: Integrating climate lenses into city budgeting and service delivery.
- Relatable Communication: Equipping leaders to champion climate action within their communities.
By hosting this Masterclass, Dar es Salaam reinforced its commitment to the creation of a sustained network of African cities driving inclusive, green economic growth.