Climate change threatens 83% of African work – ECA

Experts say that African governments must act urgently to protect jobs and means of subsistence since climate change threaten 83 % of African and labor market works.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), stated in a declaration on its website.

The experts spoke in a high -level collateral event of the eleventh session of the African regional forum on sustainable development (Arfsd).

Freedomonline reports that the event was organized by the macroeconomic division, finance and governance of the UN ECA.

It focused on the results of the economic report on Africa 2023 and 2024.

Nadia Ouedraogo, an Officer of the ECCA Economic Affairs, revealed that informal occupation represented 83 % of all the works in Africa in 2024.

Ouedraogo said that sectors such as agriculture, construction and services of the services were highly vulnerable to the climate -induced shocks.

“Women and young people are particularly at risk of working and income losses due to environmental degradation, irregular weather models and seasonal interruptions,” he said.

Modging the session, Ms Zuzana Schwidrowski, director of the division of macroeconomic policies, said that climate change was not only destroying the means of subsistence, but also threatening financial and macroeconomic stability in Africa.

“While these climate shocks are eroding growth and tax buffers, they also present opportunities for transformation through innovation and green investments,” said Schwidrowski.

In his observations, Sam Koojo, assistant commissioner at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda, asked for stronger partnerships between governments, private sector and development partners.

“We must collaborate, co-creating solutions and give priority to the climatic action that guides the creation of jobs and inclusive growth,” he said.

Echoing the urgency, Andrew Allieu, a senior economist at the Regional Ilo Office for Africa, warned that climate change could move millions and expand social inequalities.

“The subsistence means of 1.2 billion workers depending on natural resources are at risk.

“The only heat stress is already causing a 2.3 percent loss in working hours and this could translate into 14 million jobs lost by 2030,” he said.

Etienne espagne, senior climatic economist at the World Bank, underlined the need for a coordinated regional action to build high -competence jobs and climatic resilients.

“The alignment of the supply chains with the regional strengths will reduce the risks and guarantee shared prosperity. Early investments in renewable energies and innovation are essential to guarantee ecological jobs,” added Espagne.

Even speaking, Ms Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, stressed that public-private partnerships are essential to attract green investments and promote inclusive development.

“Women must be fully included in the green transition not only as beneficiaries, but as a leader in the decision -making process and in innovation,” he said.

The Panelists also raised concern about the expected economic losses, with an increase of one percent of temperature potentially cutting the African GDP of 2.2 percent by 2030, particularly affecting West Africa.

They warned that without targeted policies, the transition from fossil fuels could worsen inequality, especially in West and central Africa.

Experts estimated that the carbon market alone could create up to 400 million jobs by 2050, in addition to those in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

The session ended with calls to expand redemption programs for young people and informal workers, strengthen social protection and unlock innovative funding to speed up the green transition of Africa.