LUSAKA, Zambia- African governments and climate experts are ramping up preparations for a possible “super” El Niño event, with scientists warning that anticipatory action is critical to protect lives, livelihoods, and economies from potentially devastating climate shocks.
The warning comes as climate scientists, policymakers, and regional climate institutions gather in Lusaka for the 21st African Continental Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF-21), where discussions are focused on strengthening readiness for a possible El Niño event during the 2026/2027 season.
Held under the theme “Preparing Africa for El Niño 2026/2027: Strengthening Readiness to Anticipate and Manage Climate Shocks,” the forum seeks to equip governments, planners, and users of climate information with tools to prepare for a range of weather scenarios expected during the October-November-December short rains season.
Participants are assessing projected El Niño impacts, harmonising regional climate outlooks, and developing actionable early warning systems targeting vulnerable communities. Particular attention is being given to climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water resources, energy, public health, and disaster risk management.
Opening the forum, Zambia’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Dr. Douty Chibamba, said Africa continues to face increasingly severe climate challenges.
“Across our continent, we are witnessing an increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, heatwaves, tropical cyclones and other extreme weather events,” he said.
“These hazards are undermining food security, water resources, energy systems, infrastructure, public health and livelihoods, particularly among our most vulnerable communities.”
Dr. Chibamba recalled the devastating impacts of previous El Niño events, particularly the 2015/2016 episode, which left millions across Southern Africa facing food insecurity and economic hardship.
He noted that Zambia’s 2023/2024 El Niño-induced drought was among the worst in recent history, forcing the government to declare a national disaster after crop failures, declining water levels, and power shortages crippled key sectors of the economy.
“Climate shocks are no longer abstract projections but present-day realities that can reverse years of hard-won development gains,” he said.
While stressing that forecasts remain under continuous review, Dr. Chibamba said current indications from global climate centres provide sufficient grounds for governments to strengthen preparedness measures.
“The cost of early preparation is always far lower than the cost of late response,” he added.
The forum, organised by the African Union Commission’s Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development, is also advancing plans to establish Continental User Working Groups aimed at improving coordination between regional climate centres, governments, and end users of climate information.
