Climate change is not just a future threat for Africa; it is already changing the way people live, farm and manage resources. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather events are all making it harder to maintain food security and access to water. That’s where IKSs come in with practical, time-tested strategies for resilience. These are not emergency measures or short-term fixes. They are long-standing practices developed in response to environmental variability over centuries.
In the drylands of West Africa, for example, communities have long practiced rainwater harvesting and soil preservation techniques that make farming possible even when rainfall is scarce. Techniques like contour farming, stone bunds, and zai pits help conserve moisture and prevent erosion. These methods are not reliant on expensive technology. They use locally available materials and are based on detailed understanding of the land and climate. Farmers who use these techniques are often better equipped to handle erratic rainfall than those dependent on imported farming systems.
In East Africa, the use of indigenous seed varieties that are drought-resistant and adapted to local soils is another example of how traditional knowledge contributes to climate adaptation. Many farmers save and exchange seeds that have proven resilient over generations. Unlike some commercial seeds that need costly inputs or specific conditions to grow well, these indigenous varieties are well matched to local ecosystems. Preserving them is not just a cultural act; it is an environmental necessity.
The role of Indigenous weather prediction is also significant. In parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, communities still rely on observations of plants, animal behavior and celestial patterns to forecast weather. While not always precise, these systems offer a complementary form of climate knowledge that is rooted in local experience. As climate change makes traditional weather forecasting tools less reliable, Indigenous indicators remain a valuable reference for community planning.
These Indigenous strategies have long been overlooked by national adaptation plans. Policies tend to focus on technical or externally driven solutions. Recognising the contribution of Indigenous knowledge systems can strengthen climate adaptation strategies across the continent. It means valuing lived experience, trusting local knowledge holders and making space for alternative approaches that already work on the ground.