The report highlights the challenges for agriculture and the environment; food, water and energy security; and health and education. But it also stresses opportunities and new tools to meet the challenges.
Artificial intelligence, mobile communication tools, and advanced weather prediction models are enhancing the accuracy and reach of weather services across Africa. However, further scaling up digital transformation requires greater investment in infrastructure, stronger data-sharing frameworks and more inclusive service delivery, it says.
A greater sense of urgency is needed to improve early warning systems, and strengthen climate resilience and adaptation, according to the report, which urges governments, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate climate-smart investment.
The WMO State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report is accompanied by a digital story map and is one of a series of WMO climate reports which seek to inform decision-making for national and regional climate strategies.
Southern Africa experienced damaging drought conditions, particularly in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which suffered the worst drought in at least two decades. The aggregate cereal yields in southern Africa were 16% below the five-year average - and in the case of Zambia and Zimbabwe 43% and 50%, respectively. Low water levels and low hydropower output from Lake Kariba, Africa’s largest man-made reservoir, caused prolonged power outages and economic disruption.
In East Africa, exceptionally heavy long rains from March to May led to severe flooding in Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. Hundreds of people lost their lives, and more than 700 000 were affected. Rainfall during the October to December season was below average, raising food security concerns.
West and Central Africa suffered devastating floods that affected over four million people, resulting in several hundred casualties and hundreds of thousands of displacements. Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic were among the hardest hit countries.
North Africa recorded its third consecutive below-average cereal harvest due to low rainfall and extreme high temperatures. Morocco’s output fell 42% below the five-year average after six consecutive years of drought.
For the first time in the satellite era, two tropical cyclones, Hidaya and Ialy, developed in May and moved over the far north-western part of the basin near Tanzania and Kenya over a region rarely frequented by mature tropical systems.
Tropical Cyclone Chido had devastating effects as it made landfall on Mayotte (France) as the most powerful storm in 90 years to impact the island which forms part of the Comoros archipelago. It then hit Mozambique and Malawi. Tens of thousands of people were affected; many were left homeless and without access to drinkable water.
Many countries in Africa are embracing digital transformation to improve weather forecasts and early warnings and this has been identified as a regional priority. Artificial Intelligence brings new potential to strengthen service delivery.
For example, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency has embraced digital platforms to disseminate vital agricultural advisories and climate information. The Kenya Meteorological Department provides weather forecasts to farmers and fishers through mobile applications and SMS messages. The South African Weather Service has also integrated AI-based forecasting tools and modern radar systems for effective and timely weather predictions.
A Guest Editorial