Climate change could displace 32 million West Africans by 2050 — ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States has warned that climate change and insecurity could leave about 32 million people internally displaced across the region by 2050.

According to Peoples Gazette, ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop issued the warning at a parliamentary seminar in Accra, Ghana, citing World Bank projections.

Diop said women and children could account for about 80 per cent of those displaced, while West Africa requires approximately $294 billion to confront the climate crisis.

He said about two million people were displaced by climate-related disasters in 2024, while flooding affected more than seven million.

ECOWAS urged member states to strengthen climate financing, early-warning systems and sustainable management of natural resources while prioritising women and young people in resilience programmes across the region.