In Africa, climate disruptions present far greater challenges than elsewhere. The most vulnerable sub-Saharan countries are the hardest hit, even though they are the least responsible for pollution.
Today, the growing impact of climate change in Africa is scientifically proven and therefore undeniable. The temperature is rising faster than the global average, with about a 0.3°C increase per decade since 1991. This phenomenon leads to changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and more intense extreme weather events such as chronic droughts, deadly floods, and relentless desertification.
The case of methane perfectly illustrates the vicious cycle caused by climate change. With only 3% of global CO₂ emissions, Africa contributes significantly to methane emissions, representing 16%. Since 2006, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have increased sharply, and traditional emission sources cannot fully explain this trend.
Euan Nisbet, a professor at the University of London, suggests that this rise could be linked to the reaction of tropical wetlands to climate change. Recent floods and torrential rains in Africa have saturated wetland surfaces, promoting the decomposition of organic matter and, consequently, the production of methane.
In 2022, 80 climate events were reported, affecting more than 110 million people and causing an estimated $8.5 billion in economic damage. The most vulnerable countries, particularly those south of the Sahara, are the hardest hit, despite their low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change also threatens agriculture, with declining yields due to high temperatures and irregular rainfall. This impacts food security and worsens poverty, especially in rural areas where agriculture is essential. Hence, the need for adaptation measures to protect agro-food systems, focusing on the importance of maize, which accounts for a significant share of African crops.
Let’s take a very telling example. Maize accounts for almost 15% of the continent's harvested area, being the top crop in all sub-regions except North Africa, where it ranks eighth. In southern Africa, maize occupies one-third of the total harvested area, although the area dedicated to maize has decreased over the past 20 years, according to the FAO. Without effective adaptation measures, regional maize production could decline by 40% compared to the 1970-2000 period, forcing regions like eastern and southern Africa to quickly adapt to ensure food security.
However, this inevitable transformation of African agro-food systems in the face of climate change requires identifying opportunities while overcoming obstacles. It is therefore crucial to promote modern adaptation and mitigation technologies to ensure sustainable transformation. Furthermore, a strong system of science, research, and technology is essential to address challenges such as improving productivity, food security, and adapting to climate impacts.
Nevertheless, despite progress in science and technology, agricultural research systems in Africa have not evolved at the same pace as the sector's needs. Institutional structures and funding have remained largely unchanged, hindering innovation. To meet the challenges of climate change, a modernization of these systems is essential, notably through adopting an interdisciplinary, demand-driven approach. A dynamic innovation ecosystem would encourage partnerships between research institutions and the private sector, thus promoting improvements in seed production, fertilizers, and appropriate technologies.