JOURNAL OF CURRENT DISCOURSE AND RESEARCH (JCDR)

A Systematic Review of Climate Technology Transfer for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet faces disproportionate climate risks including droughts, flooding, heatwaves, and food insecurity. While international climate negotiations emphasize climate finance, the transfer of climate-relevant technologies remains underdeveloped, despite its central role in both mitigation and adaptation. This review synthesizes literature on climate technology transfer mechanisms, evaluates technological gaps across energy, agriculture, water, and urban systems, and examines institutional, financial, and intellectual-property barriers preventing implementation. We argue that climate technology transfer—supported by capacity building and local innovation ecosystems—is the most cost-effective pathway for achieving climate resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, while enabling global decarbonization. Without accelerated technology diffusion, global climate targets cannot be met. The author advocates for shifting from transactional technology transfers to collaborative partnerships and regional manufacturing, emphasizing that equitable technology transfer is essential for achieving global decarbonization goals of 1.5–2°C. The paper proposes a cooperative implementation framework combining co-development, open innovation, and regional manufacturing to replace the prevailing donor-recipient model.