Every year, African countries lose up to 5% of their GDP because they bear a greater burden than the rest of the world due to climate change.

The conclusion is contained in a report by the World Meteorological Organization, released on Monday.

According to the report, many African nations spend up to 9% of their budgets on climate adaptation policies.

"Over the last 60 years, Africa has seen a warming trend that has become faster than the global average," said the WMO Secretary General, quoted by the international press.

Africa is responsible for less than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it is the region most vulnerable to extreme weather events, including droughts, floods and heat waves, the WMO said.

The new report focuses on 2023, one of Africa's three hottest years on record.

According to the same report, the effects of climate change have been distressing. Between September and October 2023, approximately 300,000 people across West Africa were affected by floods. Zambia suffered its worst drought in 40 years, affecting almost 6 million people.

The pattern of extreme weather events in Africa will continue in 2024, according to experts.

In the Sahel region, south of the Sahara, floods have affected more than 716,000 people this year, according to the United Nations. In Mali, the authorities declared a national disaster last week due to floods that have affected 47,000 people since the start of the rainy season.

Photo DR