Africa: climate change, agriculture and land use

Publication date: 17-09-2026
Extent: 30 pages

Contributions by: Bouthayna El Amine, Samuel Weniga Anuga, Mohamed Louay Metougui and Boubacar Amadou Cisse, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Morocco; Michael Jacobson, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Morocco and The Pennsylvania State University, USA; and Ngonidzashe Chirinda, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Morocco

Chapter synopsis:

African agriculture faces a triple challenge: meeting rising demand for food, managing rapid changes in land use, and adapting to climate change. Although Africa accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, over 60% originate from the agriculture, forestry, and other land-use sectors. This chapter focuses on understanding GHG and carbon dynamics in the agriculture and land use sector in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo, examining deforestation, rice production, fertiliser use and livestock enteric fermentation. Despite constrained resources and competing developmental priorities, Africa has substantial opportunities to attain net zero through context-specific innovations that improve agricultural productivity without increasing land pressure.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0169.12