Nigeria and several other African countries are losing an estimated $12.7 billion every year to infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters, according to a new report highlighting the continent’s growing vulnerability to climate and environmental shocks.
The findings, released on Monday by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), reveal that flooding, droughts, cyclones, and other extreme weather events are exacting a heavy toll on roads, bridges, power facilities, and water systems across the region.
In Nigeria, where severe flooding displaced more than 1.4 million people in 2022 and washed away thousands of farmlands and road networks, experts warn that the economic cost of rebuilding continues to strain federal and state budgets. Analysts note that with urbanisation expanding rapidly, poorly planned infrastructure and weak enforcement of building codes leave many communities dangerously exposed.
AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the economic burden underscores the urgent need for African countries to prioritise climate-resilient infrastructure and adopt innovative financing models.
“Africa cannot afford to keep losing billions every year to disasters that can be mitigated through better planning, stronger institutions, and investment in resilient infrastructure,” Adesina stated. “We must act decisively to safeguard our economies and our people.”
The report further noted that Africa accounts for only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet faces some of the world’s harshest climate impacts. It called for greater international support to help vulnerable nations build adaptive capacity and integrate disaster risk reduction into development planning.
Experts warn that without urgent intervention, annual losses from disaster-related infrastructure damage could escalate, undermining economic growth and worsening poverty across the continent.
