The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned that climate change, environmental degradation and insecurity could push the number of internally displaced people in West Africa to about 32 million by 2050.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Gen. Birame Diop, gave the warning on Tuesday, September 22, at the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra, Ghana. He said women and children could account for about 80 per cent of those affected, citing projections by the World Bank.
Diop, represented by ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, said about two million West Africans were displaced by climate-related disasters in 2024, while more than seven million people were affected by flooding that destroyed homes, roads, schools, health facilities, farms and other infrastructure.
He said more than 12 million people were internally displaced across West and Central Africa between 2025 and 2026 due to the combined effects of climate change, insecurity and other vulnerabilities. He added that the region would require about $294 billion to address the climate crisis.
Diop urged ECOWAS member states to adopt a coordinated approach to climate resilience and human security, strengthen early-warning systems and climate-responsive legislation, and improve the sustainable management of land, water, forests and fisheries. He also called for greater climate financing and increased support for women and young people as key participants in building community resilience.
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