Africa is on the front line of an unprecedented climate emergency. According to the latest report by the World Meteorological Organisation, the continent is paying a heavy price: in 2025, at least 13 million people were affected by extreme weather events, while more than 3,000 people lost their lives.
Africa paid a heavy price for climate-related disasters in 2025, with around 3 billion US dollars in economic losses and more than 3,000 deaths. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), at least 13 million people were affected by extreme weather events. Warming is progressing at a faster rate than the global average, with particularly severe droughts in North Africa and nearly 8.5 million people affected in East Africa.
“Grasslands are among the most important ecosystems in Africa. They support pastoralists, farmers and rural communities, promote livestock production and biodiversity, and contribute to food security.”
Daniel Chapo, President of the Republic – Mozambique
More than half of Africa’s economic losses were caused by powerful cyclones, notably in Madagascar and Mozambique in January and March 2025. Pastoral lands, which are essential for livestock farming, agriculture and biodiversity, are being weakened by drought, poor land management and invasive species, further worsening water stress and the vulnerability of populations, while nearly 20 per cent of Africans face acute food insecurity.
“However, these ecosystems are under considerable pressure from climate change, prolonged droughts, unsustainable land use, invasive species and a lack of investment in restoration. This is leading to an increased risk of disasters.”
Daniel Chapo, President of the Republic – Mozambique
Faced with this pressure, the African Union has designated 2026 as the Year of Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation, in line with Agenda 2063, calling on states to invest in sustainable land and water management, the restoration of grazing lands and disaster prevention.
“The climate emergency threatens not only human lives, but also has a negative impact on infrastructure and essential assets for survival. No continent is spared. The most vulnerable countries, our countries, are suffering increasingly. Our collective responsibility is therefore heavily engaged.”
Abdourahmane Diouf, Minister of Energy and Petroleum – Senegal
Globally, natural disasters caused 224 billion US dollars in losses in 2025, including 166 billion dollars from floods, storms and wildfires. In Africa, less than 20 per cent of the losses, or just over 500 million dollars, were insured. Amid continued warming, strengthening early warning systems and anticipatory action appears essential.
