A sweeping Afrobarometer survey spanning 28 African countries reveals that a majority of citizens who are aware of climate change believe it is exacerbating living conditions, with calls for their governments and wealthy nations to spearhead mitigation efforts.
Released on Earth Day 2025, the report underscores deepening public concern over environmental degradation and shifting weather patterns, alongside divergent views on responsibility and policy solutions.
Nearly six in 10 Africans (58%) report familiarity with climate change, though awareness varies widely from 83% in Mauritius to 27% in Nigeria. Among those informed, 80% say climate impacts are worsening life, with half describing the effect as “much worse.” Two-thirds attribute the crisis primarily to human activity, while 44% assign blame to their own countries’ citizens, businesses, and governments, and 46% fault external global actors.
When asked who should lead climate action, 38% of respondents pointed to their national governments, 25% to wealthy nations, and 19% to ordinary citizens. Policy preferences highlight strong support for climate-resilient infrastructure (82%), pressuring developed countries to increase climate aid (77%), and expanding wind and solar energy investments (68%), even at higher costs. Other measures, like banning tree-cutting for fuel (51% support) or promoting electric public transport (45%), drew more divided responses.
The findings arrive as African nations grapple with droughts, floods, and food insecurity linked to climate change, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. Civil society groups argue the data reflects a demand for equitable solutions, emphasizing that vulnerable populations bear disproportionate impacts. “This isn’t just about weather, it’s about justice,” said Ascifika Mpako, Afrobarometer’s Southern Africa communications coordinator. “Africans are clear: Those with the most resources must lead the response.”
The survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews in 2024, offers insights into grassroots perspectives ahead of critical global climate negotiations. With Africa’s population projected to double by 2050, the continent’s stance on balancing development with sustainability could reshape international climate diplomacy. Yet the report also exposes gaps in public awareness, particularly in regions like Nigeria and Tanzania, where fewer than four in 10 citizens acknowledge climate change.
As debates over climate financing and fossil fuel transitions intensify, the Afrobarometer data underscores a pressing reality: For millions of Africans, climate action is no longer abstract, it’s a lifeline. How governments and global powers respond could determine not only environmental outcomes but also social stability in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
