Africa: Too Hot to Cool?

September 19, 2025

This report lays bare Africa’s escalating heat crisis. It details how rising temperatures, intensifying urban heat islands, and surging cooling demand are reshaping lives across the continent.

Drawing on ground evidence and satellite analysis, it highlights the stark regional differences and the severe vulnerabilities faced by dense settlements, children, and the elderly. It traces how, from Lagos to Johannesburg, rapid urbanization is fuelling the rise in land surface temperatures and worsening exposure.

This report calls for urgent, integrated action across health, housing, energy, and urban planning to build resilience and protect Africa’s most vulnerable from the silent but deadly force of extreme heat.