(Ecofin Agency) - The Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), conducted by the World Economic Forum, aims to identify the risks facing the planet in the short, medium, and long term. The 2025 report reveals that environmental risks, once seen as distant threats, are now pressing concerns that are increasingly intertwined with other global issues, such as forced migration.

Climate change continues to be one of the world’s greatest challenges, and its impact is being increasingly felt across Africa. In the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) 2025, extreme weather events have once again been highlighted as one of the leading global risks. This marks the 11th consecutive year that these weather events have been identified as a top concern. With 14% of survey respondents ranking them as a priority for the coming years, it is clear that the issue is only growing.

“. The burden of climate change is becoming more evident every year, as pollution from continued use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events,” the report read. But it is not just about weather. The effects of climate change are deeply intertwined with many other global risks, including the mass migration of people.

Africa Faces Unprecedented Climate Challenges

In 2024, Africa saw an alarming series of extreme climate events—prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and heatwaves—that affected millions of lives. These events have only intensified the difficulties faced by many African communities, with climate change becoming a key driver of forced migrations.

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) reports that natural disasters have multiplied by six the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa over the past 14 years. The number of displaced individuals jumped from 1.1 million in 2009 to 6.3 million in 2023. Floods were the leading cause of displacement, responsible for over 75% of forced movements, while droughts were accountable for 11%.

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Strain on Resources and Rising Tensions

These forced migrations come with a range of complex challenges. Urban areas are struggling to accommodate the rising number of displaced people, leading to overcrowding and heightened competition for already scarce resources. This in turn creates fertile ground for social tensions.

Economically, African countries are dedicating a significant portion of their budgets to combating extreme weather events. On average, nations spend between 2% and 5% of their GDP, with some spending as much as 9% of their national budget to tackle climate-related challenges. Sub-Saharan Africa alone faces an estimated cost of $30 to $50 billion annually over the next decade—equating to 2% to 3% of the region's GDP, according to the World Meteorological Organization's 2023 report on Africa’s climate.

“Africa faces disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change related weather events and patterns, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on agriculture, and food security, education, energy, infrastructure, peace, and security, public health, water resources, and overall socio-economic development,” said Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, the African Union’s Commissioner for Agriculture.

Impact on Agriculture

Climate change is also disrupting agriculture, a key economic activity in most parts of the continent. In 2024, floods affected agricultural production, impacting 960,000 hectares of cultivated land and causing the loss of 128,000 livestock in West and Central Africa, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In response to these challenges, the FAO emphasizes the need for adopting resilient and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the vulnerability of communities that depend on farming. Its 2022-2031 strategy also highlights the importance of planned migration policies to better manage mass displacement.

“Safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems is fundamental to climate resilient development, given the threats posed by climate change to them and their role adaptation and mitigation,” the organization stresses.

Efforts to Mitigate the Impact

Several initiatives are already underway to address this growing crisis. Countries like Côte d'Ivoire are developing national climate adaptation plans, while initiatives like the "Africa Carbon Markets," launched during COP27, aim to transform food systems and strengthen carbon markets.

Technological tools, such as climate data collection platforms in Uganda, are helping to respond more quickly and effectively to climate impacts. The Kampala Convention, adopted by the African Union in 2009, remains the only legally binding instrument to protect internally displaced persons on the continent. However, its implementation faces legislative obstacles and non-ratification by some states.

While the effects of climate change continue to intensify, some African countries are standing out for their progress in tackling the crisis. Morocco leads the 2025 Climate Performance Index published by Germanwatch, scoring 68.32 out of 100. Egypt and Nigeria follow, showing that targeted national efforts can provide viable solutions to the climate emergency.

Looking ahead, the Global Risk Report 2025 predicts that extreme weather events will be among the top five risks in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2035, followed by lack of economic opportunities, loss of biodiversity, ecosystem collapse, crime, illicit economic activities, and natural resource shortages.

Writing by Charlène N’dimon; Editing by Feriol Bewa; Translation from French by Firmine AIZAN