Climate change poses a significant threat to Africa. The continent is highly vulnerable to the impacts but has limited capacity to cope. African economies rely heavily on climate-sensitive sectors, but agriculture, hydropower, fishing, tourism, and wildlife are all at risk.
Economic loss and damage in developing countries is estimated to be up to US$580 billion annually. Yet the new Loss and Damage Fund has received less than US$1 billion in pledges.
A study by the World Bank warns that climate change could push 130 million people in Africa into poverty by 2030. This is not a distant prediction but a pressing reality. In 2019, Mozambique was ravaged by Cyclone Idai, one of the most devastating storms to hit the region. It displaced over 400,000 people and destroyed vast areas of farmland, severely impacting the nation’s economy.
“We’re seeing the direct impacts of climate change here,” says Dr. Amina Mohammed, a climate scientist working in West Africa. “It’s not just theory anymore. People are losing their homes, and livelihoods are being wiped out. And this is just the beginning.”
The consequences extend beyond economics. Flooding, for example, disrupts access to essential services like healthcare and education. Rising temperatures are affecting water availability, further exacerbating food insecurity in regions like the Sahel. The United Nations has highlighted that Africa’s overall vulnerability is compounded by weak infrastructure and limited financial resources to invest in climate resilience.
The international community has responded, but not fast enough. The Loss and Damage Fund, proposed at COP27 in Egypt, aims to help vulnerable countries recover from climate-induced disasters. However, as of 2023, pledges to the fund total just US$661 million—a drop in the ocean compared to the losses and damage estimated between $290 billion and $580 billion annually in developing countries. “The Loss and Damage Fund is a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“The global community must understand that Africa’s future depends on immediate action,” further explains Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, the former chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN). “We’re contributing the least to the climate crisis but paying the highest price. It’s a matter of climate justice.”
Climate-Sensitive Economies
Most African economies rely heavily on sectors that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Agriculture is a cornerstone of the continent’s economy, employing more than 60% of the population. It is also one of the most climate-sensitive industries.
Prolonged droughts in East Africa have led to significant crop failures, leaving millions in need of food aid. In Kenya, for instance, the worst drought in decades has decimated livestock and left the country facing severe food insecurity.
“Climate change is a direct threat to our survival,” says Dr. Elizabeth Wathuti, an environmental activist from Kenya. “We are seeing longer and harsher droughts, floods, and crop failures. Millions of people are on the verge of famine, and yet the global response remains inadequate.”
In the Sahel region, desertification is advancing, reducing arable land and putting even more pressure on farmers. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Sahara Desert has expanded by 10% since 1920. This loss of land is driving conflict between pastoralists and farmers over dwindling resources. In countries like Niger, Mali, and Chad, these tensions have resulted in violent clashes, exacerbating regional instability.
Beyond agriculture, Africa’s hydropower sector is also suffering from climate-induced changes. With much of the continent’s energy infrastructure dependent on rivers and dams, the shrinking of key water sources due to changing rainfall patterns is undermining energy security. Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s, affecting millions of people across four countries who depend on it for water and electricity.
Food and Water Security at Risk
The intersection of climate change, food insecurity, and water stress is particularly acute in Africa. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are currently facing severe food shortages due to climate-related events. This number is expected to rise as temperatures continue to increase.
Water scarcity is becoming a critical issue as well. The World Resources Institute ranks 17 African countries as being at high risk for water stress by 2040. Rising temperatures are depleting water resources at a faster rate than they can be replenished, threatening millions with chronic water shortages.
“We’re seeing communities that were once water-secure now scrambling to find enough for basic needs,” says Dr. Olumide Abimbola, a climate expert working with local governments in West Africa. “Climate change is affecting every part of life—agriculture, energy, health, and education. The challenge is immense.”
Human Displacement and Migration
Another consequence of climate change in Africa is the displacement of people. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) projects that by 2050, over 86 million Africans could be displaced due to environmental factors, primarily climate change. The Sahel, Horn of Africa, and parts of Southern Africa are expected to see the highest levels of climate-induced migration. As arable land and water become scarce, more people will be forced to leave their homes in search of survival.
The displacement crisis is already happening. Between 2015 and 2020, over 7 million people were displaced by natural disasters across sub-Saharan Africa. Many have moved from rural areas to urban centers, increasing pressure on already overburdened infrastructure in cities. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Lagos, Nigeria, rapid urbanization driven by environmental factors is overwhelming housing, sanitation, and healthcare systems.
