Africa Faces Mounting Economic and Social Challenges Amid Rising Climate Costs

September 2024
Africa is grappling with severe economic and social impacts as it bears a disproportionately heavy burden from climate change. According to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), African nations are losing up to 5% of their GDP annually due to climate-related challenges. The report underscores the urgent need for increased investment in climate adaptation strategies across the continent.

Rising Costs and Economic Strain
The WMO report highlights that many African countries are now allocating up to 9% of their national budgets to climate adaptation measures. These costs are expected to escalate further, with estimates suggesting that sub-Saharan Africa alone could face adaptation costs ranging between $30 billion to $50 billion annually over the next decade. This financial strain is occurring even as Africa contributes less than 10% to global greenhouse gas emissions, a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of a warming planet.

A Rapidly Warming Continent
Africa has experienced a more rapid warming trend than the global average over the past six decades, according to WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. This acceleration in temperature is having widespread repercussions, affecting everything from food security to public health and social stability. The continent has witnessed one of its hottest years on record in 2023, with the impacts of extreme weather events felt across multiple regions.

Devastating Consequences
The human toll of these climate extremes is already significant. In West Africa alone, floods between September and October 2023 affected around 300,000 people, while Zambia faced its worst drought in 40 years, impacting nearly 6 million individuals. As the climate crisis deepens, such events are expected to become more frequent and severe.

This year, the Sahel region south of the Sahara has seen unprecedented flooding, affecting over 716,000 people, according to the United Nations. In Mali, the situation is so dire that the government declared a national disaster in response to floods that have displaced tens of thousands since the onset of the rainy season. Earlier in 2024, West Africa experienced an extreme heatwave, leading to a surge in mortality rates.

Calls for Urgent Action
The WMO report urges African governments to prioritize investments in early warning systems and meteorological services. These tools are crucial for predicting and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events. Without such measures, the report warns that up to 118 million Africans could be exposed to life-threatening droughts, floods, and heatwaves by 2030.

The situation calls for a coordinated global response, with a particular focus on supporting African nations in their efforts to adapt to the rapidly changing climate. The international community’s support is essential in addressing the economic and human costs that climate change is already inflicting on the continent.

A Path Forward
As Africa confronts the escalating challenges of climate change, it is imperative for both regional leaders and the global community to intensify their efforts in climate adaptation and resilience-building. While Africa’s contribution to global emissions remains low, the continent’s future depends on robust and proactive measures to shield its populations from the worsening impacts of climate extremes.

The time for action is now, as the costs—both human and economic—will only continue to rise if the necessary steps are not taken. Africa’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for global climate justice and the critical importance of supporting vulnerable regions in the fight against climate change.