September 19, (THEWILL) — Africa is bearing the brunt of a climate crisis it did not create. While the continent contributes just about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is home to seven of the world’s 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate Report 2022.
The impacts are already visible. Heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts are devastating communities and economies, putting millions of people at risk.
Africa’s rapidly expanding cities are hotspots of this vulnerability, with urban residents facing the compounded risks of poor infrastructure, inadequate housing, and limited access to basic services.
Despite being one of the world’s least urbanized regions, Africa—particularly Sub-Saharan Africa—is urbanizing at record speed. According to the OECD, the region has an urban population of about 500 million, representing 40% of the continent’s population.
Urban growth is rising at 4.1% annually, double the global average of 2.1%. By 2050, more than 60% of Africans are projected to live in cities.
This rapid growth is intensifying long-standing challenges. Reports by the African Cities Research Consortium and Brookings (2024) show that 56% of Africa’s urban population live in informal settlements, where insecure land tenure and limited access to sanitation, water, and energy exacerbate vulnerability to climate shocks.
It is widely acknowledged that climate change could derail Africa’s socio-economic trajectory, threatening both the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres aptly noted: “Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The time for action is now. We must invest in sustainable solutions to protect our people and planet.”
One significant global policy development is the establishment of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) during COP27.
The Fund is designed to provide financial support to vulnerable countries suffering the impacts of climate disasters. For African nations, especially in the context of urban development, the Fund represents a critical opportunity.
It can help tackle immediate disaster impacts while supporting the long-term goal of building sustainable and climate-resilient cities.
The Fund could finance the reconstruction of homes, improved drainage systems to mitigate floods, and resilient affordable housing. These efforts would both strengthen cities against climate shocks and generate jobs.
It could also empower marginalized populations in slums and informal settlements, often the hardest hit by climate disasters, by supporting adaptation efforts and recognizing the informal economy as part of urban resilience.
In addition, capacity-building initiatives such as training local leaders, strengthening disaster management systems, and fostering meaningful climate partnerships would ensure sustained impact.
The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage has the potential to be transformative for Africa’s urban development. Whether this potential is realized depends on how the Fund is set up, the criteria for assessing projects, and whether these align with Africa’s realities in terms of data and capacity.
With careful planning, effective collaboration, and inclusive implementation, the Fund offers Africa not just the means to address the consequences of climate change, but the chance to reimagine its cities as models of sustainability and inclusivity for the future.
*** Written By Dr Muhammad Gambo is the Head of Policy, Research and Partnerships at Shelter Afrique Development Bank
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