African nations stand on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with increasingly severe floods, rising temperatures, coastal erosion, and land degradation. These environmental shocks are not distant threats but harsh realities for millions. 

Devastating floods have displaced tens of thousands in West and Central Africa, claiming lives and destroying livelihoods. As the African proverb goes, “Seeing is different from being told,” and the continent’s people are witnessing the devastating impacts of climate change firsthand.

Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa plays a critical role in carbon absorption, particularly through the Congo Basin, the world’s largest carbon sink. However, climate change threatens to reverse decades of hard-won development gains, deepen poverty, and exacerbate regional fragility. At the recent World Bank-IMF annual meetings, African finance ministers underscored the urgent need for sustained action to address these challenges. Projections from the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the G5 Sahel nations, Cameroon, Ghana, and others, warn that climate change could slash GDP by 2% to 12% annually by 2050, pushing millions further into poverty. In the Sahel alone, 13.5 million people risk falling into extreme poverty without immediate intervention.

To turn this crisis into an opportunity for resilience and growth, African leaders must focus on five key priorities as they prepare for COP30 in Belem, Brazil.

Africa’s food security crisis has worsened over the past decade, exacerbated by soaring energy and fertilizer prices. In response, the World Bank has committed $17.7 billion to support food production and system resilience across sub-Saharan Africa, with $5.1 billion in new funding to enhance climate-smart agriculture. The West Africa Food System Resilience Program alone aims to benefit four million people.

Since 2020, fertilizer prices in sub-Saharan Africa have tripled, increasing the risk of food shortages and price hikes. Without intervention, over 100 million Africans could face extreme food insecurity. Addressing this crisis requires collaboration between governments and the fertilizer industry to enhance market transparency, improve soil management, and promote sustainable farming. Encouragingly, climate-smart farming initiatives are already strengthening food security and reinforcing regional agricultural value chains.

The Congo Basin, home to 70% of Africa’s forests and storing between 25 to 30 billion tonnes of carbon, is a vital global climate buffer. Yet, deforestation and resource exploitation threaten its future. To safeguard this ecological asset, African nations must develop sustainable revenue streams at local, national, and global levels.

The World Bank, alongside initiatives like the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, and REDD+, is advancing forest-smart development strategies. These efforts empower local and Indigenous communities while ensuring sustainable resource management.

Countries like Gabon and the Republic of Congo are pioneering land restoration and carbon sequestration projects that create jobs and enhance climate resilience. Expanding Africa’s participation in global carbon markets is essential to unlocking additional climate finance and ensuring long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

For a sustainable future, African nations must prioritize climate adaptation while transitioning to low-carbon economies. The World Bank has mobilized $4.9 billion in climate financing across 92 projects in West and Central Africa between July 2021 and June 2022, promoting green and inclusive development.

Initiatives like the Great Green Wall, which focuses on land restoration, food security, and climate-resilient infrastructure, are already delivering tangible results. In Côte d'Ivoire, the Agri-Food Sector Development Project is strengthening sustainable agricultural value chains.

The cost of inaction far outweighs the investment needed for climate adaptation. Proactive financing strategies will be significantly more cost-effective than responding to escalating climate disasters. As millions of Africans live on the frontlines of climate change, their voices must shape the global climate agenda at COP30 and beyond, turning this crisis into an opportunity for resilience and growth.

Africa’s transition to clean energy is crucial for economic growth and climate resilience. With vast renewable resources, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, the continent has the potential to leapfrog fossil fuel dependency and lead in sustainable energy development.

Several nations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa, have made notable strides in expanding renewable energy capacity. However, much more investment is needed, particularly in off-grid solar solutions, mini-grids, and large-scale wind and hydro projects. The World Bank and other partners are scaling up financing to ensure clean energy access, especially in rural communities.

By accelerating renewable energy adoption, Africa can reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports, create jobs, and strengthen energy security while contributing to global emission reduction efforts.

Effective climate action hinges on strong governance, clear policies, and regional cooperation. African nations must integrate climate considerations into economic strategies, urban planning, and industrial policies while enforcing environmental safeguards.

Regional initiatives like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 provide a unified framework for climate action. International partnerships will also be crucial in securing climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building.

At COP30, African leaders must advocate for equitable climate financing, ensuring that developed nations honor their commitments to support climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in Africa.

By prioritizing these five areas—climate-smart agriculture, sustainable natural resource use, adaptation strategies, renewable energy expansion, and strong governance—Africa can build resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and drive sustainable economic growth in the face of an evolving climate crisis.