Extreme weather events and the escalating impacts of climate change are severely affecting all aspects of socio-economic development across Africa, intensifying hunger, insecurity and displacement, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report.
The findings were unveiled during a high-level meeting convened by the WMO in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focused on early warnings and climate adaptation. The State of the Climate in Africa 2024 paints a sobering picture of climate realities on the continent and calls for urgent action.
The report confirms that 2024 was the warmest or second-warmest year on record, depending on the dataset, while the past decade remains the hottest ever documented in Africa. Sea surface temperatures surrounding the continent reached unprecedented levels, especially in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the largest marine heatwave-affected area since measurements began in 1993.
“The State of the Climate in Africa report reflects the urgent and escalating realities of climate change across the continent,” said WMO secretary-general, Celeste Saulo. “It also reveals a stark pattern of extreme weather events, with some countries grappling with devastating floods while others endure relentless droughts and water scarcity.”
Saulo emphasised WMO’s commitment to supporting African nations through initiatives like Early Warnings for All, aimed at improving resilience and adaptation. “I hope that this report will inspire collective action to confront the increasingly complex and cascading impacts of climate change,” she added.
The report outlines significant risks to agriculture, food systems, water supply, energy security, health, and education. But it also highlights new opportunities to address these challenges using emerging technologies and innovative approaches.
In 2024, Africa’s average surface temperature was approximately 0.86°C above the 1991–2020 long-term average. North Africa, the fastest-warming sub-region, recorded temperatures 1.28°C above this average.
Extreme heat affected large parts of the continent, disrupting farming, reducing labour productivity, and hindering school attendance. Sea surface temperatures were also the highest on record, surpassing 2023 figures, especially in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Almost the entire ocean area around Africa experienced strong to extreme marine heatwaves, particularly in the tropical Atlantic. Between January and April alone, nearly 30 million square kilometres of ocean were affected – the most extensive area since satellite monitoring began.
Such high ocean temperatures threaten marine ecosystems, intensify storms and worsen the effects of sea-level rise, posing mounting risks to coastal communities.
Rainfall patterns in 2024 were strongly influenced by an El Niño event and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole that began in 2023. These climate drivers played critical roles in the continent’s varied precipitation outcomes.
Southern Africa faced its worst drought in two decades, severely impacting Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Cereal yields fell 16 per cent below the five-year average, with drops of 43 per cent in Zambia and 50 per cent in Zimbabwe. Low water levels in Lake Kariba – Africa’s largest artificial reservoir – led to prolonged power outages, severely affecting livelihoods and economic activities.
In East Africa, excessively long rains from March to May triggered deadly flooding in Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, killing hundreds and affecting more than 700,000 people. However, the region received below-average rainfall from October to December, sparking fears of worsening food insecurity.
West and Central Africa were battered by severe floods, displacing hundreds of thousands and affecting over four million people. Countries like Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic were among the worst hit.
Meanwhile, North Africa continued to experience below-average cereal harvests for the third consecutive year due to low rainfall and extreme temperatures. In Morocco, production plunged to 42 per cent below the five-year average following six years of sustained drought.
For the first time in recorded satellite history, two tropical cyclones, Hidaya and Ialy, formed in May and moved toward Tanzania and Kenya, an area rarely affected by such storms.
Another system, Tropical Cyclone Chido, struck the island of Mayotte (France), part of the Comoros archipelago, as the most powerful storm in 90 years. It later battered Mozambique and Malawi, displacing tens of thousands and cutting off access to clean water for many communities.
Despite these sobering trends, the report emphasizes the growing potential of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, mobile apps, and advanced forecasting tools, to improve climate resilience and early warning systems across Africa.
For instance, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency uses digital platforms to disseminate tailored agricultural and climate advisories.
The Kenya Meteorological Department delivers real-time weather updates to farmers and fishers through mobile apps and SMS alerts.
The South African Weather Service has incorporated AI-driven forecasting tools and modern radar systems to enhance accuracy and response times.
In 2024, 18 National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) upgraded their websites and digital outreach to extend the impact of their forecasts, products, and early warnings.
While promising progress has been made, the report stresses that much more must be done to fully integrate digital technology and strengthen climate services in Africa. Key recommendations include: Increased investment in digital infrastructure and training, stronger data-sharing policies and stewardship frameworks and inclusive, equitable access to climate information for all communities.
The WMO urges African governments, development agencies, and the private sector to scale up climate-smart investments and enhance early warning systems, which remain underdeveloped in many regions.
The State of the Climate in Africa 2024 is part of a broader WMO series that informs climate-related decision-making at national and regional levels. The report is also accompanied by a digital story map, making the data accessible and actionable for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
As the climate crisis deepens, the report underscores one clear message: Africa is at a crossroads, and bold, coordinated action is essential to protect its people, economies and ecosystems from the growing threat of climate change.
