Africa is warming faster than the global average, with the continent experiencing a rapid decline in glacial ice and increasingly severe weather patterns that impacted more than 13 million people last year, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Data from the UN service indicates that over 3,000 deaths were linked to climate-related extreme weather events across the continent in the previous year.
How fast is the African climate changing?
The rate of warming in Africa since 1991 has significantly outpaced the warming seen in any previous thirty-year period, according to the WMO. In 2025, surface temperatures on the continent reached between the third and seventh warmest levels on record, sitting approximately 0.51°C above the 1991–2020 average. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the shifts as visible and pervasive, noting that they range from rising sea levels to devastating floods and droughts.
What is happening to Africa’s glaciers?
Glacial ice on the African continent is rapidly disappearing and is now restricted to only three locations: the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Kenya, and Mount Kilimanjaro, according to the WMO. The most dramatic loss is visible on Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s highest peak. Its ice cap has shrunk from 11.4 square kilometers in 1900 to less than 1 square kilometer today.
Why is the rise in sea levels a concern for coastal regions?
Coastal areas in Africa are experiencing a rise in sea levels that exceeds the global average, according to WMO data recorded between 1999 and 2025. The rate of increase varies by geography: 4.2 mm annually along the Atlantic coast, 5.2 mm along the Indian Ocean, and 5.6 mm in the Red Sea. This accelerated rise threatens infrastructure and ecosystems in low-lying regions.
Comparative Data: Sea Level Rise (1999–2025)
| Region | Annual Rise |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Coast | 4.2 mm |
| Indian Ocean | 5.2 mm |
| Red Sea | 5.6 mm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all African glaciers expected to disappear?
Current trends show a rapid decline. Glaciers are now present on only three mountain systems, and the ice on Mount Kilimanjaro has decreased by more than 90% since 1900.
Which part of Africa is warming the fastest?
North Africa, specifically along the Mediterranean coasts of Algeria and Tunisia, has recorded the highest temperature increases on the continent.
How many people were affected by extreme weather in Africa last year?
According to UN data, more than 13 million people were affected by extreme weather, with over 3,000 fatalities reported.
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