Africa, the most tropical continent, is facing the brunt of climate change as its diverse climates are becoming more extreme and unpredictable. According to the United Nations, Africa is the region most vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, which threatens its food security, water availability, biodiversity and human health.
One of the most visible effects of climate change is the increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves, which are periods of abnormally high temperatures that last for several days or weeks. Heat waves can have devastating consequences for people, animals and plants, causing heat stress, dehydration, heat stroke, wildfires and crop failures.
In recent years, Africa has experienced several record-breaking heat waves that have shattered temperature records and caused widespread suffering. In 2023, an unusually early and intense heat wave spread up from North Africa through Europe ahead of the Summer Solstice, bringing temperatures more than 10°C higher than the average for this time of year. In some parts of Spain and France, temperatures reached over 45°C, while in Algeria, the mercury soared to 51°C, the highest temperature ever recorded in Africa .
In 2022, a prolonged heat wave hit Southern Africa, affecting countries like Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The heat wave coincided with a severe drought that reduced water levels in major rivers and dams, affecting hydropower generation, agriculture and wildlife. In Zimbabwe, more than 200 elephants died due to thirst and hunger. In Botswana, temperatures reached 44°C in some areas, while in Zambia, the capital Lusaka recorded its hottest day ever at 42.4°C .
In 2021, a massive heat wave swept across East Africa, affecting countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti. The heat wave exacerbated an ongoing drought that had left millions of people facing food insecurity and water shortages. In Kenya, temperatures reached 41°C in some places, while in Ethiopia, the capital Addis Ababa recorded its hottest day ever at 37.4°C. In Somalia, the heat wave triggered a locust invasion that destroyed crops and pastures .
Climate change is also altering the patterns of Africa’s wet and dry seasons, making them more erratic and unpredictable. The wet season is typically associated with rainfall that replenishes water sources and supports agriculture and wildlife. The dry season is typically associated with sunny and cool weather that makes tendering to livestock or wildlife easier, whilst reducing the risk of diseases like malaria.
Climate change is affecting the transmission of malaria in several ways. As global temperatures rise, the elevation range where malaria-carrying mosquitoes thrive is also rising. This means that mosquitoes are slowly migrating upward and people living in areas once inhospitable to the insects could be newly exposed to the disease.
In some regions, the wet season is becoming shorter and more intense, leading to floods and landslides that damage infrastructure and livelihoods. In other regions, the wet season is becoming longer and less reliable, leading to droughts and famines that affect millions of people.
For example, in West Africa, the wet season is expected to start later and end earlier by the end of the century, reducing the length of the growing season by up to 20%. In East Africa, the wet season is becoming more variable and unpredictable, causing alternating periods of floods and droughts that disrupt food production and humanitarian aid. In Southern Africa, the wet season is shifting southward and becoming more concentrated in summer months (November to March), increasing the risk of cyclones and heavy rainfall events that cause widespread devastation .
These changes in Africa’s climates pose serious challenges for its people and wildlife, who depend on natural resources for their survival. To cope with these challenges, adaptation and mitigation measures are urgently needed at local, national and regional levels. These include improving water management, enhancing food security, promoting renewable energy sources, conserving biodiversity , raising awareness , strengthening resilience , reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting international cooperation.