A panoramic shot of Africa’s coastline featuring rocky cliffs, lush greenery, and vibrant blue waters, highlighting the region’s natural beauty.
African seas are rising at an alarming rate, outpacing the global average and accelerating with each passing year. Satellite data reveals that since 1993, ocean levels around the continent have climbed roughly 11 centimeters, with current annual increases hitting 3.54 millimeters—faster than the worldwide trend of 3.45 millimeters. This relentless surge, driven by ocean warming and melting ice sheets, reached a record-breaking spike between 2023 and 2024. During this period, a massive El Niño event combined with trapped surface heat to quadruple ocean heat content, accounting for 19% of the total rise seen since 1993 in just two years. This trend carries real consequences: more flooding, coastal erosion, and risks to fisheries and drinking water supplies. For the 200 million people living along Africa’s coasts, from Lagos to Dar es Salaam, scientists say urgent climate action and coastal planning are becoming increasingly critical.
The Conversation