ARFSD Side Event Highlights Urgent Need for Climate Action and Workforce Resilience in Africa
A side event at the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) brought together policymakers, economists, and development experts to discuss the critical challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s workforce amid climate change.
Organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) – Macroeconomic Policy, Finance and Governance Division, the event centred on the findings of the Economic Report on Africa 2023 and 2024. It underscored the urgent need for strategic interventions to ensure a just and sustainable transition for the continent’s labour market.
Ms. Nadia Ouedraogo, Economic Affairs Officer, presented alarming statistics revealing that informal employment constituted 83% of all jobs in Africa in 2024, predominantly in agriculture, construction, and services—sectors highly vulnerable to climate-induced stresses. Women and youth, she noted, are particularly susceptible to job losses and diminished incomes.
Moderating the session, Ms. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy, Finance, and Governance Division, emphasized the dual impact of climate change: while it poses significant risks to growth and stability, it also creates new opportunities for innovation and structural transformation that Africa must capitalize on.
Uganda’s Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Sam Mugume Koojo urged stakeholders to prioritize climate action and invest in a transition that fosters decent jobs and inclusive growth. He highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing to tackle the complex challenges facing Africa’s workforce.
“The tangible effects of climate change—rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation—are destabilizing job security and widening the gap between the rich and poor,” warned Mr. Andrew Mundalo Allieu, Senior Economist at the ILO Regional Office for Africa. He noted that 1.2 billion workers reliant on the natural environment are at risk, with heat stress alone projected to result in a loss of 14 million jobs by 2030.
Mr. Etienne Espagne, Senior Climate Economist at the World Bank, stressed the need for strategic regional coordination to develop high-skill, climate-resilient employment. He pointed out that while the costs of renewable energy are decreasing, uncertainties remain, necessitating early investment to secure resilient green jobs.
Public-private partnerships emerged as a vital strategy, according to Ms. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation. She emphasized the importance of gender-inclusive approaches to ensure equitable benefits from the green transition, particularly in decision-making and access to skills development.
Panellists discussed the cascading effects of climate change, noting that a 1% increase in temperature could lead to a 2.2% GDP loss across Africa by 2030, with West Africa facing the most severe impacts. The transition to greener economies may result in job losses in fossil fuel industries, particularly in West and Central Africa, raising concerns about worsening inequality if targeted policies are not implemented.
However, the shift to a green economy also presents significant job creation opportunities, especially in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon markets, which could support up to 400 million jobs by 2050.
To ensure a just transition and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, panelists highlighted several critical strategies, including investing in reskilling initiatives for youth and informal sector workers, fostering innovative financing for green projects, and strengthening social protection systems for vulnerable communities.
By: Frank Owusu Obimpeh
