CHALLENGES OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN WEST AFRICA: CLIMATE AND HEALTH NEXUS Emmanuel SECK, Director Enda Energie
The energy transition in West Africa presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of socio-economic development and access to sustainable energy. However, the region is seriously affected by increasingly intense and destructive climate change for populations and ecosystems. Climate disruption in various forms, droughts, floods, heat waves, etc. has weakened our countries, increased their debts and affected the lives of millions of people, particularly in the most vulnerable areas with waves of migration and displacement. This year, a number of countries in the Sahel region and West Africa were hit by severe heat waves that exceeded 48° in some places, with a link made between deaths and extreme heat. In 2023, the Horn of Africa has experienced a drought over the last 3 years that has affected more than 40 million people, including 30 million in severe food insecurity and more than 2 million displaced (UN, 2023). And paradoxically after a long period of drought, this region is now experiencing floods with the corollary of victims and diseases. Senegal is not spared from climatic hazards with a winter marked by strong rains that have caused significant flooding and flooding along the Senegal River.
