How should Africa respond to a climate crisis it didn't create?

Section 7 : Role of communities in climate resilience efforts

African communities are uniquely positioned to spearhead climate resilience efforts, leveraging local knowledge, practical initiatives and grassroots movements. Focusing on community-driven solutions will help address the specific challenges African societies face due to climate change. Some of the key roles that communities can play to contribute to climate resilience include:

• Leveraging indigenous knowledge: Indigenous communities in Africa possess time-tested practices that contribute to environmental sustainability. For example, in Kenya, the Maasai people practise rotational grazing, which prevents overgrazing and supports soil regeneration, reducing desertification. Similarly, in the Sahel region, the ancient technique of Zaï (planting pits) allows farmers to rehabilitate degraded land by capturing rainwater and concentrating nutrients, making agriculture viable even in arid conditions. African communities can revive and scale these indigenous methods, integrating them into formal climate resilience plans.
  
  Incorporating indigenous knowledge into broader climate resilience efforts, will enable our communities to help develop sustainable solutions tailored to local environments. Increasing public awareness as well, about the value of these traditional practices will also elevate their role in modern climate policies.
  
  
• Community-based adaptation (CBA): Local communities must play a central role in designing and implementing climate adaptation strategies. CBA empowers communities to identify the specific risks they face, such as droughts, floods, or soil degradation and develop localised responses. This includes initiatives like water harvesting, reforestation and introducing climate-smart agriculture techniques that enhance local resilience.
  
  In Mozambique for example, communities living along the coastline are building mangrove forests to serve as natural barriers against rising sea levels and storms. In rural Tanzania, village committees have been formed to develop water management systems that adapt to changing rainfall patterns, ensuring that crops receive adequate irrigation even during prolonged dry spells. Promoting CBA within our communities ensures that climate adaptation strategies are tailored to our specific needs and environments, empowering us to be part of the solution.
  
  
• Promoting climate finance participation: Communities can actively participate in mobilising resources for climate resilience projects by engaging in microfinance schemes or advocating for access to international funds. For example, smallholder farmers in Uganda are accessing low-interest loans through local cooperatives to invest in climate-smart farming techniques like drip irrigation and drought-resistant crops. Similarly, Ethiopia has successfully implemented a community-led reforestation program funded through the African Development Bank, where locals plant trees in exchange for small payments, creating both employment and environmental benefits. These community-based finance models provide a blueprint for how local initiatives can attract sustainable funding.
  
  
• Nature-based solutions (NBS): Across Africa, nature-based solutions are proving effective in mitigating climate impacts. In Rwanda, communities are implementing agroforestry systems where crops are grown alongside trees that act as carbon sinks and provide shade, reducing water evaporation. In Morocco, the Oases Program has restored traditional irrigation systems and replanted palm trees, protecting the delicate ecosystem from desertification while ensuring food and water security for local inhabitants. African communities can replicate these efforts by restoring wetlands, conserving forests and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that build resilience to climate change while preserving biodiversity.
  
  
• Community engagement and ownership: Citizen engagement is key to driving sustainable climate action. In South Africa, the Cape Town water crisis response saw community groups organising efforts to reduce water consumption, promote rainwater harvesting and recycle greywater. This initiative brought together citizens and local governments in a united front against water shortages. In Ghana, local fishermen have been trained to monitor and protect marine biodiversity, taking ownership of their natural resources while combating the impacts of overfishing and coastal degradation. Such community-led ownership builds a stronger connection between citizens and their environment, ensuring long-term sustainability.
  
  Local communities must take ownership of climate initiatives by participating in decision-making processes, collaborating with local governments and shaping climate action plans. Encouraging community engagement ensures that climate resilience efforts are context-specific and inclusive, considering the needs and knowledge of diverse populations. This type of engagement creates a sense of collective responsibility, enhancing the effectiveness of resilience strategies.
  
  
• Knowledge sharing and networking: Platforms for knowledge sharing are needed if we are to strengthen climate resilience initiatives. The Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF) in Southern Africa serves as a regional platform where communities and policymakers can share best practices in water management and climate adaptation strategies. In Senegal, farmers participate in knowledge-sharing workshops that introduce climate-smart agricultural techniques such as crop rotation and the use of organic fertilisers, which have helped improve yields and soil health in the face of changing weather patterns. Expanding these networks allows African communities to learn from one another and accelerate the implementation of effective climate solutions.
  
  Creating platforms for knowledge exchange gives communities a place to share their experiences in adapting to climate impacts, allowing others to replicate successful models. Knowledge-sharing networks within and between African countries can facilitate the transfer of innovative ideas and technologies, further strengthening the continent’s collective response to climate change.

African communities are needed in supporting the continent’s climate resilience efforts. Through indigenous knowledge, community-based adaptation, mobilising climate finance, promoting nature-based solutions, active engagement, and knowledge sharing, communities can drive practical, scalable solutions that respond directly to the climate challenges they face. Communities across Africa can build resilience from the ground up, by putting these strategies into practice, ensuring sustainable development for future generations.