Climate Change in Africa: Awareness, Adaptation, and Policy Priorities
Climate change is no longer a distant threat for many Africans. From household practices to policy priorities, the impacts of climate change are deeply embedded in daily life across the continent. Recent data from public-opinion surveys conducted in 38 African countries reveal a complex picture of awareness, adaptation, and expectations regarding climate action.
Climate Change Awareness and Literacy
On average, more than half (56%) of citizens across these 38 countries have heard of climate change. However, this awareness varies significantly by country. For example, only 27% of respondents in Nigeria reported knowing about climate change, while 91% in Seychelles were familiar with the issue. This disparity highlights the uneven distribution of knowledge and the need for targeted education efforts.
More than four in 10 Africans (43%) are considered “climate-change literate,” meaning they not only know about climate change but also recognize it as being at least partly caused by human activity. This level of literacy has seen a slight increase between 2016/2018 and 2024/2025. The trend is particularly notable among men, urban residents, and those with higher levels of wealth, education, and access to news sources.
Experiences of Climate Change
Drought and crop failure are the most commonly experienced climate threats in Africa. Half of the respondents reported that these events have become “somewhat more” or “much more” severe in their local areas over the past decade. In contrast, only 35% noted an increase in flooding severity. These findings underscore the diverse ways in which climate change manifests across the continent.
Eight in 10 climate-change-literate respondents believe that climate change is making life “somewhat” or “much” worse in their country. This perception is driving changes in daily behavior. About three in 10 respondents report altering their water consumption, outdoor work patterns, or crop planting and food consumption in response to changing weather patterns. Two in 10 have had to adjust livestock rearing or even relocate due to climate-related challenges.
Overall, 60% of respondents have made at least one of these five adaptations, with 38% reporting two or more. Rural, poorer, and less-educated individuals, as well as those working in agriculture, are more likely to engage in these adaptive measures.
Public Expectations for Climate Action
Climate-change-literate Africans place primary responsibility for addressing climate change on their own governments (37%), followed by wealthy or developed nations (26%). There is growing support for developed countries to take the lead in climate action, with 83% of respondents demanding immediate action and 85% supporting assistance to poorer nations. Additionally, 73% back proactive measures by their own governments.
Public opinion strongly favors government-led climate action, including infrastructure investment (81%) and pressure on wealthy nations for climate aid (78%). Moderate support exists for policies such as banning tree cutting for fuel (51%) and mandating cleaner cookstoves (47%).
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite these positive trends, the global political landscape for climate action remains challenging. Major greenhouse-gas emitters, including the United States, have retreated from climate commitments, threatening international agreements and domestic policies. African leaders are divided on the pace of transitioning to green energy, with some countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa making progress, while others with significant oil and gas reserves, such as Nigeria and Senegal, are hesitant to commit to a green-energy transition.
This evolving context makes understanding public opinion on climate change more critical than ever. As international cooperation becomes more difficult, building domestic support for climate action depends on understanding what citizens know, what they experience, how they adapt, and what policies they support.
The Urgency of Adaptation
While mitigation is essential globally, adaptation is the more immediate challenge in Africa. The continent’s agricultural sector, which supports millions of smallholder farmers, is highly vulnerable to climate change. These farmers, who cultivate low-yield staple crops on small plots, depend heavily on rainwater and face severe risks from unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Urbanization further complicates the situation. Rapid growth in cities has led to informal settlements in floodplains and on unstable hillsides, increasing exposure to floods, storm surges, and landslides. Cities lacking green spaces also become significantly hotter, intensifying the risk of heatwaves and related health issues.
Adaptation requires both government action and citizen support. Gauging public climate-change literacy, lived experiences, and policy preferences can help governments, civil society organizations, and climate advocates design effective interventions and build political will for ambitious climate policies.
Understanding where citizens stand on these issues is essential for translating climate-change literacy into meaningful and transformative action—particularly on climate adaptation.
Conclusion
The findings from Afrobarometer’s latest round of public-opinion surveys highlight the importance of addressing climate change through both awareness and action. While progress has been made in increasing climate literacy, especially in West Africa, there is still much work to be done. The continent’s unique vulnerabilities require tailored solutions that reflect the realities of its people.
