Global Centre on Adaptation breaks ground on Nairobi headquarters
Set on a verdant, sloping site adjacent to the River Kabete, the Nairobi headquarters is envisioned by the architecture firm, Powerhouse Company, as an emblem of Africa’s climate aspirations
The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) on Tuesday marked a milestone in the fight against climate change by breaking ground on its new headquarters in Nairobi — becoming the first international organisation to maintain dual headquarters in both the Global South and Global North.
The bold step underscores GCA’s commitment to equal partnership between regions, recognizing that effective climate adaptation solutions must be co-designed and co-owned by communities across the world.
The Nairobi GCA headquarters will play a pivotal role in unlocking finance for climate adaptation and in mainstreaming adaptation throughout Africa’s development efforts, particularly under the flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).
Building on collaborations with more than 50 regional knowledge and technical partners, this shift of focus to Nairobi will further integrate GCA’s climate-adaptation finance mainstreaming both regionally and at country level across Africa. It will host an annual Green Adaptation Accelerator Forum that convenes heads of state, multilateral development banks, private investors, and civil society leaders to align commitments, streamline funding flows, and accelerate the scaling of proven resilience measures.
Complementing these activities, a Capacity-Building Academy based at the headquarters will offer year-round training programs for government officials, community organisers, and local entrepreneurs in climate risk assessment, strategic planning, and innovative finance mobilisation—ensuring that the knowledge and tools generated in Nairobi are rapidly disseminated and applied across vulnerable regions worldwide.
Set on a verdant, sloping site adjacent to the River Kabete, the Nairobi headquarters is envisioned by the architecture firm, Powerhouse Company, as an emblem of Africa’s climate aspirations. Featuring modular, prefabricated timber construction in a welcoming U-shape, the building integrates passive-design principles—leveraging natural ventilation, green walls, and strategic siting under the existing tree canopy .
A large V-shaped roof, calibrated for maximum rainwater capture, will ensure water is stored in the concrete foundation for use throughout the year. Solar panels installed on the roof will generate enough energy to make the building energy-positive. Green vegetation will be integrated along the edges of the roof to cool the solar panels, while indoor green walls contribute to a comfortable and healthy interior climate.
President William Ruto said: “This climate crisis is real and therefore the Center of Global Adaptation that we are building here is going to harness expertise, bring policy makers and development actors into this space is necessary.”
“This groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment in embedding climate resilience into the fabric of global cooperation,” said His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Honorary Chair of GCA and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. “By establishing dual headquarters, GCA demonstrates that true progress rests on shared leadership and mutual responsibility, ensuring that adaptation solutions are crafted by and for those living on the frontlines of climate change.”
“By anchoring our presence in Nairobi alongside Rotterdam, we celebrate the principle that adaptation is not a donation to the Global South but a shared endeavor,” said Macky Sall, Chair of GCA’s Board and fourth President of Senegal. “This dual-headquarters model elevates African leadership in shaping solutions that will benefit communities globally.”
“Today’s groundbreaking symbolises more than a building—it’s the launchpad for a new era of co-owned climate resilience,” Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of GCA, said. “By situating our headquarters in Nairobi, we embed GCA’s work at the heart of rapidly evolving adaptation challenges, ensuring that the solutions we develop are grounded in lived experience and local expertise.”
Construction of the Nairobi headquarters begins immediately, with completion slated for mid-2027. The facility will serve as GCA’s hub for unlocking finance, mainstreaming adaptation in development planning, and galvanizing a global coalition to act on adaptation with the urgency it demands.
