Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM), Makerere University, Uganda
First African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling
Makerere University through the Center of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM), within the School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences, in partnership with the EfD-Mak Centre, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Uganda, will be hosting the First African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling on 12th and 13th February 2026.
Venue: Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Time: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Physical attendance: Strictly by invitation
Virtual Participation: This is open. Link: https://bit.ly/NCASymposium
Theme: Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomics: Rethinking Growth in Africa’s Natural Resource
Context:
African economies are increasingly exposed to climate-related shocks that threaten development gains, fiscal sustainability, and macroeconomic stability. From extreme weather events and biodiversity loss to the depletion of natural capital, climate risks are reshaping economic realities across the continent. Yet many macroeconomic frameworks used in public finance and planning continue to overlook climate and nature-related risks and the long-term benefits of resilience and adaptation investments.
Against this backdrop, African policymakers face a complex balancing act: advancing economic transformation, ensuring energy security and affordability, and maintaining fiscal stability in an era of climate uncertainty. Responding to these challenges requires new analytical tools, stronger institutional capacity, and closer collaboration between Ministries of Finance, academia, and development partners.
Purpose:
The Symposium aims to strengthen Africa’s analytical and institutional capacity to integrate climate and natural capital considerations into macroeconomic and fiscal policy. It will convene policymakers, researchers, universities, think tanks, and development partners to exchange knowledge, present frontier research, and explore practical tools for climate-and nature-integrated economic analysis.
The Symposium supports the objectives of the Pan-African Finance Ministers Forum for Climate Action (PAFMCA) and contributes directly to Helsinki Principle 4 of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, which calls for integrating climate action into economic and fiscal policy through improved macroeconomic analysis and modelling
Key focus areas:
- Climate-sensitive macroeconomic modelling and fiscal risk analysis
- Natural capital accounting and its role in national planning
- Institutional capacity strengthening within Ministries of Finance
- Building a continental knowledge and learning network under PAFMCA
Symposium activities:
- Opening ceremony
- Keynote presentations
- Technical policy discussions
- Breakout sessions
- Exhibition Kiosks (World Café)
- Case studies and demonstrations
- Networking events and entertainment
Chief Guest: Hon. Matia Kasaijja, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Paul Jonathan Martin, World Bank
Host: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
Director CEACM: Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal, CoBAMS, Makerere University
Partners: The Symposium is funded by GGGI, UN PAGE with thanks to the generous contributions of its funding partners European Union, Germany, Finland, Norway, Korea, Sweden and Switzerland.
Contact Office: Dr. Peter Babyenda, Makerere University, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) via email at peter.babyenda@mak.ac.ug or pbabyenda@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +256 773 432 413.
Ms. Ritah Namisango, Makerere University, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) via email at ritah.namisango@mak.ac.ug or ritanamisi@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +256 702 944 224.