By Stephen Simon
African countries could suffer economic losses of between $10 billion and $20 billion as meteorologists warn that a powerful “Super El Niño” weather event is likely to develop over the coming months. The warning was issued by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which says the phenomenon could become one of the strongest on record.
According to the AfDB’s Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, Anthony Nyong, the weather pattern is expected to trigger severe droughts in some regions while causing devastating floods and storms in others. The result could be widespread crop failures, food shortages, water scarcity and damage to critical infrastructure across the continent.
The bank warned that countries already grappling with conflict and economic challenges, including Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia, may be particularly vulnerable. Food prices, especially staple grains such as maize, could rise sharply if harvests are disrupted, worsening inflation and increasing the risk of hunger.
The AfDB estimates that the previous El Niño event caused hundreds of millions of dollars in agricultural losses and displaced thousands of people. With an even stronger event forecast, governments are being urged to invest in climate adaptation measures, strengthen early-warning systems and improve disaster preparedness before conditions deteriorate.
Climate experts also called for increased international financing to help African nations build resilience against extreme weather. They argue that investing in adaptation now will cost far less than responding to humanitarian disasters after they occur.
