West and Central African leaders called for increased climate finance in Lagos as worsening floods, droughts and environmental degradation continue displacing millions and reshaping migration patterns across vulnerable communities.
Leaders across West and Central Africa are calling for increased climate financing to help vulnerable communities cope with worsening floods, droughts and environmental degradation that are driving displacement and reshaping migration patterns across the region.
The appeal came during a regional conference held in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 12-13 where governments and development partners agreed on a roadmap outlining practical measures to protect livelihoods and strengthen adaptation to climate impacts.
“Climate change is already affecting where and how people live. The challenge now is moving fast enough to deliver practical solutions and funding to vulnerable communities,” said Sylvia Ekra, regional director for West and Central Africa at the International Organization for Migration.
“Our region has shown leadership by including migration in climate policies. Now we must ensure climate funding reaches the communities most affected, so migration is a safe and informed choice not a last resort,” she added.
Climate shocks are already changing living conditions across West and Central Africa, with floods, droughts and storms damaging homes, roads and essential services in many countries.
By the end of 2024, around 2 million people in the region had been displaced by disasters, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the global total, conference participants said.
Environmental degradation, desertification and rising sea levels are also intensifying pressure on rural communities and urban areas alike. The World Bank estimates that by 2050 as many as 32 million people in the region could be forced to move within their own countries because of climate change.
The conference also highlighted growing policy efforts across Africa. Most countries that recently updated their national climate plans now include migration and displacement concerns.
Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania also joined the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, bringing the number of supporting African countries to 33.
“Climate-related human mobility is no longer a peripheral issue; it is an adaptation and resilience priority that must be negotiated, planned and financed accordingly,” said Nana Dr. Antwi‑Boasiako Amoah, chair of the African Group of Negotiators.
“The next step is to match that policy progress with credible data and accessible finance so governments and partners can invest in solutions that reduce risk, protect livelihoods and expand safe options for people on the frontlines,” he added.
Participants called for stronger early warning systems, increased support for local adaptation initiatives and improved access to climate finance for affected communities ahead of major global climate negotiations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process and COP31, which will take place in Türkiye later this year.
The Lagos conference was co-hosted by the Government of Nigeria with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark through the Climate Change and Migration Data programme.
Source: IOM
