OIM - Climate Mobility, Rights and Resilience in Africa de 2026

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Suggested citation: International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2026. Climate Mobility, Rights and

Resilience in Africa. CMARN–IOM Policy Briefs Special Collection. IOM, Geneva.

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PUB2026/021/REDITORIAL INFORMATION

Authors Ademola Jegede (University of Venda) Aondowase Targba (Federal University Gusau) Paola Crisci (University of Naples “L’Orientale”) Ana Ruiz Verdugo (“Gregorio Peces-Barba” Institute of Human Rights, Carlos III University of Madrid) Iddrisu Amadu (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University) Ingrid Boas (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University) Nana Kweigyah (Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana) Simon R. Bush (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University) Baltazar Atangana (CMARN) Damigou Kombate (University of Kara) Damlane Langare (University of Kara) Marcel Tshibangu Tshibangu (YALI Network DRC) Virgile Gbeffan (National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi) Zaharandine Ba-Ladani (National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi) Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi (Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi) Césaire Yéniko Kodjo Sonou (International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications, University of Abomey-Calavi) Journal editors

Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi (Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi) Césaire Yéniko Kodjo Sonou (International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications, University of Abomey-Calavi) Journal editors Christina Daszkiewicz (IOM) Pablo Rojas Coppari (IOM) Micaela Lincango (IOM) Reviewers Nicholas Bishop (IOM) Aondowase Targba (Federal University Gusau) Hugo Brandam (IOM) Lorenzo Guadagno (IOM) Chiara Scissa (University of Bologna) Oluwatoyin Adejonwo (Birmingham City University) Sinziana Puscas (IOM) Alice Baillat (International Displacement Monitoring Centre) Elhadji Moustapha Seck (International Displacement Monitoring Centre) Sokhna SY (IOM) Yodit Fitigu (IOM) Nicodemus Nyandiko (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology) Christopher Richter (IOM) Adrian Kitimbo (IOM) Alina Narusova-Schmitz (Independent consultant) Thabo Ndlovu (University of the Free State) Stine Laursen (IOM) Elizabeth Griesmer (IOM)CONTENTS 1 7 16 23 34 40 48 57

67CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION

1

INTRODUCTION

1 The terms “Global South” and “Global North” are used as a convenient shorthand, while recognizing that they are contested and imperfect terms. Migration scholars have highlighted the absence of a universally accepted definition for the category of countries and regions that each term aims to encompass, and the risk that the terms may obscure important historical, political, economic and social differences among countries and regions. Climate mobility has emerged as a defining policy challenge all around the world, and particularly in Africa, where environmental change intersects with demographic pressures, development dynamics and governance constraints. Addressing these dynamics requires

obscure important historical, political, economic and social differences among countries and regions. Climate mobility has emerged as a defining policy challenge all around the world, and particularly in Africa, where environmental change intersects with demographic pressures, development dynamics and governance constraints. Addressing these dynamics requires not only stronger policy frameworks but also more inclusive, policy-relevant knowledge production and collaboration between research and policy communities. In this context, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Climate Mobility Africa Research Network (CMARN) contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based and context-specific responses to climate mobility. These contributions include advancing inclusive research, supporting African-led knowledge production and fostering connections between researchers and policymakers. This special collection is situated at the intersection of these efforts. It brings together policy-oriented contributions that reflect on recent developments in climate mobility research and governance in Africa, while strengthening linkages between research and policymaking. In doing so, it also engages with the broader institutional, collaborative and policy frameworks that shape climate mobility responses across the continent. As the leading intergovernmental organization on migration, IOM has long recognized that strengthening global migration scholarship is essential for advancing evidence based policymaking. On the basis of this recognition, IOM has committed to two complementary strands of work: sustained support for migration research in the Global South,1 and targeted initiatives to empower early career researchers worldwide. Both efforts reflect the broader mandate of IOM to promote balanced, inclusive and policy relevant knowledge production in a field historically shaped by Global North institutions. The contribution of IOM to Global South migration scholarship is most visible through its flagship publications and research platforms. The World Migration Report, the most widely read IOM publication, deliberately elevates Global South expertise by integrating co editors and lead authors from Global South institutions. Recent editions have included contributions from scholars such as Pablo Ceriani Cernadas, PhD (National University of Lanús, Argentina) and Binod Khadria, PhD (Jawaharlal Nehru University, India), whose perspectives help ensure that global analyses reflect diverse regional realities. The World Migration Report also features thematic and regional chapters authored by researchers

of Lanús, Argentina) and Binod Khadria, PhD (Jawaharlal Nehru University, India), whose perspectives help ensure that global analyses reflect diverse regional realities. The World Migration Report also features thematic and regional chapters authored by researchers from diverse locations, bringing localized data and theoretical frameworks into global debates. This approach counters longstanding imbalances in migration knowledgeCMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION 2 production and ensures that policy discussions are informed by the contexts most affected by mobility dynamics. Similarly, the IOM-published journal Migration Policy Practice provides an accessible, peer reviewed platform for policy oriented research that reaches practitioners, policymakers and scholars worldwide. The backgrounds and specialities of the editorial team of Migration Policy Practice span academia, policy and practice, including representation from IOM and Global South institutions, and the journal encourages submissions on emerging migration patterns, methodological innovations and policy opportunities relevant to low and middle income countries. By having all issues freely available online, Migration Policy Practice expands the visibility of Global South research and supports equitable access to knowledge. Parallel to these efforts, IOM invests in early career researchers, recognizing that the future of migration scholarship depends on cultivating new voices capable of shaping policy and academic debates. Through initiatives such as competitive research grants, mentorship programmes, methodological training and support for research networks, IOM helps early career researchers overcome structural barriers related to funding, publication access and international visibility. These efforts are particularly significant in fields like climate mobility, where interdisciplinary approaches and grounded, context specific evidence are essential. Initiatives such as the IOM Climate Change and Migration Data (CCMD) Programme – funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – further support early career researchers and Global South researchers to conduct original research, publish findings and engage directly with policymakers. These two strands of support reinforce each another. By elevating Global South scholarship and empowering emerging researchers, IOM contributes to a more inclusive and representative global migration evidence base. This investment strengthens the capacity of States, communities and regional networks to respond to evolving mobility challenges with policies grounded in diverse perspectives and robust empirical research.

These two strands of support reinforce each another. By elevating Global South scholarship and empowering emerging researchers, IOM contributes to a more inclusive and representative global migration evidence base. This investment strengthens the capacity of States, communities and regional networks to respond to evolving mobility challenges with policies grounded in diverse perspectives and robust empirical research. Building on these efforts to promote inclusive and policy-relevant knowledge production, collaboration between research networks and policy actors has become increasingly important in the field of climate mobility. Numerous researchers and data actors work at the intersection of the topics of migration and climate and environmental change. There has been an increase in the number of actors in this field over recent years, and this increase has been made more visible by the creation of several independent and complementary research networks dedicated to environmental migration, including the South American Network for Environmental Migrations (since 2010), the Nordic Network on Climate Related Displacement and Mobility (since 2019), CMARN (since 2021) and the Environment and Climate Mobilities Network (since 2023). Within this evolving network landscape, CMARN is unique – among actors promoting research and collaboration on climate mobility in Africa – in being African-led and located in Africa.CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION 3 CMARN was established in 2021, following a virtual workshop series on developing a research and policy agenda for addressing displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change in Africa. This continent-spanning workshop series was undertaken in collaboration with the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of New South Wales, as well as with IOM, the Platform on Disaster Displacement and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It aimed to identify the research needs and gaps regarding environmental migration, disaster displacement and planned relocation in Africa, to design a research agenda for Africa,2 to contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations for Africa, and to develop networks for ongoing collaboration on this issue. CMARN emerged as a natural next step to this process, and so did the follow-up collaboration between CMARN and IOM.

displacement and planned relocation in Africa, to design a research agenda for Africa,2 to contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations for Africa, and to develop networks for ongoing collaboration on this issue. CMARN emerged as a natural next step to this process, and so did the follow-up collaboration between CMARN and IOM. CMARN and IOM have worked together since 2021 to foster collaboration between researchers and policy experts, with the goal of supporting evidence-based law and policy development on displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change and their implementation (as per the CMARN objective). While this collaboration has taken different forms, in 2026, it is materializing through this joint anniversary special collection of policy briefs, supported by the CCMD Programme. Since the establishment five years ago of CMARN and the publication of the research agenda and its 15 recommendations, not only has the network landscape evolved, but so has the research, policy and funding landscape. The present collection aims to speak to some of these changes and, significantly, to the signing of the Kampala Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, as well as its expansion and implementation. Climate mobility has become one of the most pressing governance challenges in Africa, shaped by the interaction of environmental change, demographic growth and socioeconomic vulnerability.3 Rising temperatures, droughts, floods, desertification and environmental degradation are disrupting livelihoods, housing, food security and access to water, forcing many people to move in search of safety and survival.4 Climate mobility in Africa encompasses a wide spectrum of outcomes, including displacement, migration as adaptation, planned relocation and immobility. These outcomes are influenced by rural livelihoods, urbanization, demographics and governance, and climate mobility intersects with peace, security and development agendas across the continent. In Africa, as elsewhere, people rarely migrate because of climate alone; however, climate change exacerbates already existing vulnerabilities and impacts resilience. 2 Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law et al., “Research agenda for advancing law and policy responses to displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change in Africa: outcome of the virtual

however, climate change exacerbates already existing vulnerabilities and impacts resilience. 2 Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law et al., “Research agenda for advancing law and policy responses to displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change in Africa: outcome of the virtual workshop series on developing a research and policy agenda for addressing displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change in Africa” (November 2021). 3 Walter Kälin, “Conceptualising climate-induced displacement”, in Climate Change and Displacement: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Oxford, Hart, 2010). 4 Cheikh Mbow et al., “Food security” in Climate Change and Land (IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems,

2019).CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION

4 In many cases, migration serves as a livelihood and risk-management strategy, enabling households to diversify incomes and adapt to environmental stressors. The scale and complexity of climate mobility are closely linked to broader development dynamics. An estimated 62.2 million internal displacements occurred globally in 2025, with disasters accounting for 29.9 million of those.5 These disaster-related movements are increasingly driven by climate-related hazards, and are often short term but recurrent, contributing to protracted vulnerability and repeated displacement. Within Africa, mobility is predominantly local and intraregional. Around 25 million Africans were living in another African country in 2024, reflecting strong regional mobility patterns shaped by proximity, economic ties and displacement dynamics.6 These patterns highlight that most climate mobility takes place within national borders or between neighbouring countries, reinforcing the importance of regional and local responses. At the same time, migration remains a central feature of Africa’s development landscape. Migration contributes to labour markets, livelihoods and economic resilience, while remittances provide critical support to households and act as a buffer against climate and economic shocks. In this sense, migration can function not only as a coping mechanism but also as a development asset that supports resilience and adaptation.

Migration contributes to labour markets, livelihoods and economic resilience, while remittances provide critical support to households and act as a buffer against climate and economic shocks. In this sense, migration can function not only as a coping mechanism but also as a development asset that supports resilience and adaptation. However, significant challenges persist. Data gaps and weak information systems limit the ability to track climate mobility trends, while policy responses are often fragmented. In some cases, approaches continue to prioritize limiting mobility rather than enabling safe, orderly and dignified movement. Addressing these challenges requires integrating climate mobility into diverse regional and national policies, including National Adaptation Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and loss and damage responses. Additionally, there is a need for cross-sectoral coordination among environmental, migration and social protection actors, as well as investment in African data systems, regional cooperation and research networks. Strengthening these linkages is essential to advance evidence-based, inclusive and development-oriented responses to climate mobility across the continent. In response to climate mobility challenges, African States have developed continental and regional legal and policy frameworks to protect affected populations and guide State action, together forming a web of complementary policies and laws. Among them, two of the most important are the Kampala Convention on internal displacement,7 and the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change.8 5 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), “Global report on internal displacement 2026” (2026). 6 Marie McAuliffe and Pablo Ceriani Cernadas (eds.), “Migration and migrants: regional dimensions” in World Migration Report 2026 (Geneva, IOM, 2026). 7 African Union, “African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention)” (23 October 2009). 8 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), “Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment

and Climate Change” (29 July 2022).CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION

5 The Kampala Convention is Africa’s binding treaty on internal displacement. It is

8 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), “Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment

and Climate Change” (29 July 2022).CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION

5 The Kampala Convention is Africa’s binding treaty on internal displacement. It is significant because it recognizes that displacement can result not only from conflict, but also from disasters, climate change and interlinkages with environmental degradation.9 The Kampala Convention obliges States to prevent arbitrary displacement, minimize the causes of displacement and protect and assist internally displaced people.10 It also requires States to implement risk-reduction measures, early warning systems, consultation before displacement and impact assessments for planned relocations.11 Importantly, it emphasizes durable solutions such as return, local integration, or relocation in conditions of safety, dignity and voluntariness.12 The Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change provides a complementary policy framework. Unlike the Kampala Convention, it is not a binding treaty. Still, it is highly important because it broadens the discussion from displacement alone to the wider relationship between climate change, mobility and development.13 It encourages African States to integrate climate mobility into National Adaptation Plans, development strategies, disaster risk reduction and regional cooperation frameworks.14 It also highlights the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive and vulnerability-sensitive responses, especially for women, children, youth, older people, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups.15 Attention to these instruments has helped shift climate mobility from being seen only as a humanitarian emergency to being treated as a development, human rights and governance issue.16 Good practices have emerged from implementing them: African regional institutions have successfully framed climate mobility as both a human rights and development issue, thereby moving beyond purely humanitarian responses;17 organizations such as the African Union, IGAD and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to name just a few, have promoted regional cooperation and coordination on disaster management and migration governance; and a number of African States have adopted domestic legislation and policies aligned with the Kampala Convention, improving national responses to disaster-induced displacement and humanitarian assistance.18

(ECOWAS), to name just a few, have promoted regional cooperation and coordination on disaster management and migration governance; and a number of African States have adopted domestic legislation and policies aligned with the Kampala Convention, improving national responses to disaster-induced displacement and humanitarian assistance.18 9 African Union, “Kampala Convention”, articles 4(4) and 5(4). 10 African Union, “Kampala Convention”, articles 3(1), 4(1–5) and 5–9. 11 African Union, “Kampala Convention”, articles 4(2), 5(4) and 10(2). 12 African Union, “Kampala Convention”, article 11(2). 13 Walter Kälin and Hannah Entwisle Chapuisat, Breaking the Impasse: Reducing Protracted Internal Displacement as a Collective Outcome (New York, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2017); Marie McAuliffe and Binod Khadria (eds.), World Migration Report 2020 (Geneva, IOM, 2019). 14 IGAD, “Kampala Ministerial Declaration”, clause 9. 15 IGAD, “Kampala Ministerial Declaration”, preamble. 16 Chaloka Beyani, “A view from inside the kitchen of the Kampala Convention: the modernisation of the international legal regime for the protection of internally displaced persons” (London School of Economics Legal Studies Working Paper No.17, 2020); Robert Stojanov et al., “Climate mobility and development cooperation”, Population and Environment, 43:209–231 (2021). 17 Mehari Taddele Maru, The Kampala Convention and its Contributions to International Law: Legal Analyses and Interpretations of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Eleven International Publishing, The Hague, 2014). 18 Romola Adeola, “The impact of the African Union Convention on the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa”, African Human Rights Law Journal 19(2):591–607 (2019).CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION 6

International Publishing, The Hague, 2014). 18 Romola Adeola, “The impact of the African Union Convention on the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa”, African Human Rights Law Journal 19(2):591–607 (2019).CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION 6 However, serious challenges remain. Many States still face problems involving weak implementation capacity, limited funding or poor coordination between institutions.19 As well, many African States face financial, technical and institutional limitations that hinder the enforcement of regional obligations.20 Weak governance structures, armed conflict, poverty and inadequate infrastructure further complicate the protection of climate-displaced people. Additionally, reliable data on climate mobility remains limited, making evidence-based policy planning difficult.21 Protection gaps also persist for women, children, people with disabilities and rural communities, groups that are often the most affected but least protected.22 And climate mobility is often still not sufficiently integrated into broader development, loss-and-damage and adaptation agendas. The Kampala Convention and the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change together provide a strong framework for protection and cooperation. Yet their effectiveness depends on stronger political commitment, adequate resources, domestic legal reform and inclusive implementation. For climate mobility responses in Africa to be truly effective, they must move beyond paper commitments and become durable and dignified protection solutions for affected people. Marking the fifth anniversary of CMARN, this joint CMARN–IOM policy briefs collection highlights both progress achieved and the urgency of advancing inclusive, evidencebased responses to climate mobility in Africa. The briefs – spanning green sovereignty in the Congo Basin, community resilience in Benin, mobility dynamics in the Sahel and northern Togo, and food security and agroecological transitions – reflect the diversity and complexity of climate mobility across the continent, complemented by analyses on governance, human rights and climate finance. Together, they underscore the need to move beyond fragmented approaches towards integrated responses that recognize mobility as both a challenge and a form of adaptation. They also reaffirm the importance of African-led research, regional cooperation and the

governance, human rights and climate finance. Together, they underscore the need to move beyond fragmented approaches towards integrated responses that recognize mobility as both a challenge and a form of adaptation. They also reaffirm the importance of African-led research, regional cooperation and the inclusion of affected communities in policymaking. As CMARN and IOM deepen their collaboration, this collection serves not only as a milestone but also as a call to action to translate existing frameworks into concrete, rights-based outcomes that promote resilience, dignity and sustainable development. 19 IDMC, Global report on internal displacement 2022 (2022); McAuliffe and Khadria, World Migration Report 2020. 20 See Arinze B Okiche, “Are African regional trade agreements intended to create legally binding obligations?”, Journal of International Economic Law 29(1):98–117 (2026); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “Regional integration in Africa” (Development Centre Seminars, 2002). 21 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), “Technical guide on integrating human mobility and climate change linkages into relevant national climate change planning processes” (2024). 22 McAuliffe and Khadria, World Migration Report 2020.Governing climate mobility in Africa: Financial constraints, adaptation finance and immobility traps Paola Crisci University of Naples “L’Orientale”CMARN–IOM POLICY BRIEFS SPECIAL COLLECTION 8

Introduction: climate finance as a driver of climate mobility

1 Marie McAuliffe and Linda Adhiambo Oucho (eds.), World Migration Report 2024 (Geneva, IOM, 2024). 2 IPCC, “Africa” in Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022). 3 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Adaptation Gap Report 2025: Running on Empty. The World Is Gearing Up for Climate Resilience – Without the Money to Get There (Nairobi, UNEP, 2025). 4

Press, 2022). 3 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Adaptation Gap Report 2025: Running on Empty. The World Is Gearing Up for Climate Resilience – Without the Money to Get There (Nairobi, UNEP, 2025). 4 Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (29 July 2022). Climate change is increasingly recognized as a key factor shaping human mobility in Africa, interacting with social, economic and political vulnerabilities. Across the continent, floods, droughts and environmental degradation affect livelihoods, food security and access to basic services, influencing whether people move, stay, or return (for those who have moved). Climate change rarely functions as a direct cause of migration; rather, it serves as a threat multiplier that amplifies existing risks