Fatshimetrie: In-depth analysis of the impacts of climate change on Africa
The African continent is facing major challenges resulting directly from climate change. These extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and cyclones, weigh heavily on African nations, leading to massive population displacement and considerable economic losses.
African countries lose on average between 2 and 5% of their GDP each year due to extreme weather events. A significant share, up to 9%, of some national budgets is dedicated to combating these phenomena.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the cost of adaptation could reach between 30 and 50 billion dollars per year in the next decade in sub-Saharan Africa. This is equivalent to 2 to 3% of regional GDP.
During COP29, where the issue of financing is at the heart of the negotiations, the group of African countries denounced having to go into further debt to access financing.
African negotiators made specific requests, including annual funding of around $1.3 trillion to help the continent address the impacts of climate change while meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Rwanda: Kigali’s Motorcycles Go Electric
Starting in January 2025, Kigali will transform its public transport system by banning the registration of petrol-powered motorcycles for transport.
Only electric motorcycles will be allowed, as part of Rwanda’s electric mobility strategy. However, this transition will pose major financial challenges for owners and operators of petrol-powered motorcycles.
Currently, around 20% of trips in Kigali are made by petrol-powered motorcycle taxis, which are a major contributor to air pollution.
The country’s climate and nature finance strategy, launched in October 2023, aims to reduce emissions by 38% by 2030. It also proposes measures to attract green investments, with tax incentives for private sector participation in climate-friendly initiatives.
Currently, Rwanda spends about Rwf23 billion per year on fuel imports, while electric motorcycles would require only Rwf14 billion per year for electricity, which is produced locally.
Uganda-Japan partnership for sustainable rice
Uganda is adopting eco-friendly rice varieties grown at high altitudes to preserve its wetlands, the government reports. In collaboration with Japan, researchers at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) are working to develop high-yielding rice varieties. The new varieties are drought-resistant and specifically adapted to drylands.
Until now, Ugandan rice has been mainly grown in marshlands, a practice that the government wants to reduce to protect wetlands. This policy impacts many farmers who must now get used to growing crops in drier areas.
The country has lost more than 30% of its wetlands in the last two decades, mainly due to agriculture. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, these new initiatives offer a dual promise: they aim to lift farmers out of poverty while preserving the environment.
In this fight against the impacts of climate change, Africa is exploring innovative ways to adapt and mitigate against these critical challenges. The initiatives taken by countries on the continent show a willingness to transition to more sustainable and climate-friendly practices, thus offering promising avenues for a more resilient and balanced future for Africa and its people.