The 2024 State of the Global Climate report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals a planet in crisis. Africa, a continent already vulnerable to climate variability, is experiencing some of the most severe impacts of global warming.
Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. While this single year does not mean the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target has been permanently breached, it is a clear signal of the accelerating pace of climate change.
Africa, however, is warming faster than the global average. According to the WMO, parts of the continent are experiencing temperature increases up to 1.5 times the global mean. This accelerated warming is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, particularly in regions reliant on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources.
Global Warming Hits Africa Harder
The report reveals that Africa’s climate is becoming increasingly erratic, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense. In 2024, the Sahel region, stretching across West and Central Africa, was hit by devastating floods.
Countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali saw entire communities displaced, with over 1.2 million people affected. The floods destroyed crops, homes, and infrastructure, pushing already vulnerable populations deeper into poverty.
In contrast, Southern Africa faced one of the worst droughts in decades. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia were particularly hard hit. The drought led to widespread crop failures, leaving millions food insecure.
According to the WMO, the drought was exacerbated by El Niño conditions, which disrupted rainfall patterns across the region. The report reveals that the 2023/2024 El Niño event, one of the strongest on record, played a significant role in these extreme weather patterns.
Displacement and Food Insecurity
The human cost of Africa’s climate crisis is staggering. In 2024, the continent saw the highest number of climate-related displacements in a decade. Over 2.5 million people were forced to flee their homes due to floods, droughts, and storms. Many of these displacements occurred in fragile and conflict-affected states, where resources are already stretched thin.
Food insecurity is another major concern. The WMO report notes that 18 countries in Africa faced acute food crises in 2024, with eight countries seeing a significant increase in the number of people facing hunger compared to 2023. The situation is dire in the Horn of Africa, where consecutive failed rainy seasons have left millions on the brink of famine.
A Continent Under Strain
The economic impacts of climate change are equally severe. Africa’s economies are heavily reliant on agriculture, which accounts for over 65% of employment and 30% of GDP in many countries. When crops fail due to drought or floods, the ripple effects are felt across the entire economy.
In 2024, the economic toll of climate change in Africa was estimated at over $10 billion. This includes losses in agricultural production, damage to infrastructure, and the costs of responding to climate-related disasters. For a continent already struggling with debt and limited financial resources, these losses are unsustainable.
International Shipping and Aerosols
One of the less-discussed but significant factors contributing to Africa’s climate crisis is the reduction of sulfur emissions from international shipping. In 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented new regulations to reduce sulfur emissions from ships. While this has improved air quality, it has also led to a reduction in aerosols, which have a cooling effect on the planet.
According to the WMO, the reduction in aerosols has contributed to a slight increase in global temperatures, with Africa being particularly affected. The continent, which is already warming faster than the global average, is now facing even more intense heatwaves and droughts as a result.
What Needs to Be Done
The situation in Africa is dire, but it is not hopeless. The WMO report calls for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience in vulnerable communities. Strengthening early warning systems is critical. Many African countries lack the infrastructure and resources to predict and respond to extreme weather events. Investing in these systems could save lives and reduce the economic impact of disasters.
Scaling up climate finance is equally important. Africa needs significant financial support to adapt to climate change. Developed countries must fulfill their commitments to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance, with a focus on adaptation and resilience-building in vulnerable regions.
Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Head of Research Department, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said promoting sustainable agriculture is another key area. Africa’s agricultural sector must transition to more sustainable practices, such as drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation systems, and agroforestry. This will help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and reduce the risk of crop failures.
The report recommended that addressing deforestation and land degradation is also critical. Deforestation and land degradation are major drivers of climate change in Africa. Efforts to restore degraded lands, protect forests, and promote sustainable land management are essential to reducing emissions and building resilience.
“Enhancing regional cooperation is another key step. Climate change is a transboundary issue that requires regional cooperation. African countries must work together to share resources, knowledge, and best practices to address the climate crisis,” Rahmstorf said.
While Dr. David Gikungu, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Permanent Representative of Kenya with the World Meteorological Organization: said More than half of African nations lack multi-hazard early warning systems. Expanding these systems could save lives and reduce economic losses from extreme weather.
The report indicates that Africa has abundant solar and wind resources, yet many countries still rely on fossil fuels and hydropower, which is vulnerable to drought. Expanding renewables would increase energy security and reduce emissions.
Investments in sea walls, mangrove restoration, and urban planning are essential to safeguard coastal communities from rising sea levels.
Vanessa Nakate, Climate Activist observed that “With at least 151 ‘unprecedented’ extreme weather events in 2024 alone, we are seeing the devastating human cost of climate inaction. The longer we delay emissions cuts, the worse it will get. Phasing out fossil fuels is not a choice—it is an emergency response to a crisis unfolding before our eyes.”
“Developed countries must honor their climate finance commitments. African leaders must push for stronger climate deals at COP summits,” Nakate said.
