Rabat – African agriculture, a cornerstone of the continent’s economy and livelihood, faces growing vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
Accounting for 25-35% of employment across countries and generating income for nearly 70% of the population, the sector is under immense strain.
However, an initiative unveiled at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) in Dubai offers a new opportunity for resilience.
The African Agriculture Adaptation Monitoring Tool, developed by Morocco’s AAA Initiative Foundation in collaboration with the nonprofit CABI, is the first of its kind.
Free and accessible online, the tool aims to help governments, local communities, and farmers identify adaptation actions and measure their effectiveness.
“This tool is designed to empower users to monitor adaptation progress and guide actions under Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans,” explained Mohamed Balaghi, a representative of the AAA Initiative Foundation during a side-event at the Moroccan Pavilion.
Presented during a side event titled “Bridging the Gap: Farmer-Centric Solutions for Effective NDC Implementation,” the tool is built on data from 10 African countries with established climate-resilient agricultural investment plans.
“The insights provided by this tool will strengthen efforts to address the critical challenges of productivity, sustainability, and food security,” Balaghi added.
Climate change is already taking a toll on Africa’s agricultural output. A European Commission report estimates that the continent’s GDP has been reduced by 1.4% due to climate impacts, with adaptation costs projected to reach 3% of GDP annually by 2030.
Additionally, two-thirds of Africa’s arable land could be lost by 2025 without urgent intervention.
The human cost is staggering. Climate change affects 65% of Africa’s population, displacing over 10 million people as climate refugees.
Even with global warming limited to 2°C, projections indicate worsening soil degradation and up to a 20% decline in agricultural yields by 2050.
Despite these challenges, Africa holds immense potential. Climate-smart agricultural practices could triple the sector’s annual production from $280 billion to $880 billion by 2030.
The monitoring tool aims to bridge the gap between policy and grassroots implementation, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and farmer-centric.
“Women and youth must be at the center of these efforts,” remarked Srijita Dasgupta, a climate adaptation expert with CABI. “Their inclusion is essential for building resilience and achieving sustainable development.”
With support from German Cooperation, CIAT, and the Global Center on Adaptation, the initiative reflects Africa’s determination to lead the way in innovative, climate-resilient agriculture.
