The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a warning that climate change, environmental degradation, and insecurity may displace nearly 32 million people in the region by 2050. This projection was made at the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra, Ghana. The seminar aimed to examine the link between climate change, population displacement, and rising insecurity in the region.
According to the ECOWAS Commission, over two million people were displaced in West Africa in 2024 due to natural disasters linked to climate change. Furthermore, more than seven million people were affected by flooding during the same period, resulting in the destruction of critical infrastructure such as homes, roads, schools, and health facilities.
The combined effects of climate change, insecurity, and other vulnerabilities between 2025 and 2026 have resulted in over 12 million internally displaced people across West and Central Africa. Women and children account for approximately 80 percent of this figure. ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, emphasized that climate change is not solely an environmental issue but also a development, humanitarian, peace, and security issue.
Prof. Bako-Arifari cited World Bank projections indicating that the number of internally displaced people in the sub-region could reach nearly 32 million by 2050, primarily driven by climate change. He urged member states to adopt a comprehensive regional approach to climate resilience and human security, rather than fragmented responses.
The ECOWAS Commission identified climate financing as a significant challenge confronting the region, with an estimated financing requirement of $294 billion. To address this, the bloc has been working to establish a regional carbon market platform under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to mobilize investment for climate action.
The Commission called on parliamentarians to strengthen climate-responsive legislation and oversight, prioritize climate financing, and promote sustainable management of land, water, forests, and fisheries. They also urged governments to prioritize young people and women in climate-resilience efforts, recognizing their roles as innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
The seminar, themed "Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement, and Rising Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region," brought together lawmakers to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on the region. The ECOWAS Commission's warnings and recommendations aim to inform policy decisions and promote regional cooperation to address the looming displacement crisis.
Key points
- Climate change may displace 32 million people in West Africa by 2050
- ECOWAS urges member states to adopt a comprehensive regional approach to climate resilience and human security
- The region faces a significant climate financing challenge, with an estimated requirement of $294 billion
