By 2050, up to 86 million Africans could be forced to migrate within their own countries due to climate impacts, according to the World Bank. Already in 2025, climate-induced migration is becoming one of the continent’s most pressing humanitarian and geopolitical challenges.
The Sahel region is ground zero. Prolonged droughts and desertification are pushing families from Niger, Mali, and Chad into urban centers and across borders, straining fragile states.
“Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue — it is a security and development issue,” said Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, former AU Commissioner.
Displacement Hotspots
In Mozambique, recurrent cyclones have displaced nearly 200,000 people since 2022. In Sudan, flooding has devastated farmlands, exacerbating food insecurity and fueling internal migration.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that climate-related displacement now accounts for over 40% of internal migration in Africa.
Investment in Resilience
Experts argue that investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, urban planning, and livelihood programs is critical to reducing forced migration. Donors and private capital are beginning to respond. The Green Climate Fund recently approved $500 million for adaptation programs in migration hotspots.
The BFA Angle
For Africa, addressing climate migration is about more than aid — it is about safeguarding human capital and economic stability. If managed well, investments in resilience could transform migration from a crisis into an opportunity for renewal.
“People don’t want to leave their homes,” Mayaki emphasized. “But with the right investments, they won’t have to.”
