Africa records world's fastest gains in disaster resilience, new study shows

A new global study reveals that Africa has made the fastest gains in disaster resilience among world regions since 2023, according to research from Lloyd's Register Foundation. North Africa saw the largest improvement with a five-point increase, while Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, and Central and Western Africa each gained three points.

Factors driving these improvements include expanded internet access, better household preparedness, and enhanced financial resilience in countries like Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Algeria, and Nigeria.

However, the study also uncovers significant disparities. In Central and West Africa, only 47% of adults affected by disasters were warned, compared to 84% in high-income countries. Even when warnings were issued, only fewer than half of warned adults in low- and lower-middle-income countries took action. The findings highlight the importance of preparedness, as a warning is only effective if people have the trust, knowledge, time, and resources to act.

Mobile technology is identified as a crucial tool to bridge gaps in warning systems. Despite Africa's progress, millions still lack life-saving information, with nearly 220 million people not receiving any warnings in the five years prior to the study. To address this, Lloyd's Register Foundation and other organizations emphasize the need to expand warning coverage and invest in household preparedness.

They also stress that while national wealth does not guarantee resilience, societal resilience, including trust in institutions, continues to rise globally.