Africa is one of the regions where wetland degradation has increased recently, even though millions of people on the continent depend on these ecosystems for food, water, and protection from the effects of climate change and natural disasters. In contrast to advances observed in Europe, North America, and Oceania, Africa’s wetlands are among the world’s most degraded according to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat’s 2025 Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) report. Wetlands in Africa were expected to be in worse shape by 2024 than those in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, hunger, and poverty, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs), are undermined by the report’s assessment that wetlands have decreased by 22% globally since 1970, with an annual loss rate of 0.52%. Wetlands account for only 6% of the Earth’s land area, but they provide ecosystem services worth 7.5% of the world’s gross domestic product; therefore, their degradation is a serious concern.

What Are the Main Causes of Wetland Degradation in Africa?

According to the GWO 2025 research, Africa’s wetlands are among the world’s most degraded, and the leading causes of wetland degradation in Africa are infrastructure growth, industrialisation, and urbanisation. Due to these activities, South Africa’s wetlands are deteriorating more quickly than restoration efforts can keep pace, disrupting the normal hydrological cycles and biological balance. Wetland loss is exacerbated by the pressures of economic growth in Africa, as opposed to North America and Oceania, where invasive species pose a significant threat, or Europe, where drought is a primary concern.

According to the research, poor wetland conditions in LDCs and lower-middle-income nations are a reflection of a lack of conservation resources. These problems are exacerbated by climate change, which weakens wetland resilience due to increased heat and drought, especially in areas like Zambia’s Kafue Flats, where restoration has shown promise but remains underfunded.

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How Does Wetland Degradation Impact African Communities and Economies?

Approximately 60% of the GDPs of some countries, which are derived from forestry, tourism, and agriculture—all of which are highly dependent on nature—are negatively impacted by the deterioration of Africa’s wetlands. According to the GWO, the ecosystem services provided by African wetlands are estimated to be worth US$825.7 billion in 2023—a small portion of the global total of US$39 trillion—but they are vital to local livelihoods.

A $300,000 restoration effort in Zambia’s Kafue Flats helped mitigate flooding, provided assistance to over a million people, and increased artisanal fishing revenue by $30 million annually. Unchecked deterioration, on the other hand, lowers productivity, increases public spending on disaster response, and makes people more vulnerable to climatic shocks. Africa’s wetlands are among the world’s most degraded, and the loss of these wetlands jeopardises the security of food and water, impoverishing rural communities and threatening the continent’s financial stability.

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What Strategies Can Restore Africa’s Wetlands and Mitigate Risks?

Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister, Evelyn Ndlovu, has called for increased cross-border conservation, knowledge exchange, creative funding, and community involvement to restore Africa’s wetlands. Musonda Mumba of the Ramsar Convention emphasizes the need for increased investment, noting that restoration could accelerate the green transition and yield socioeconomic benefits. The Kafue Flats serve as an example of how focused interventions can restore both economic output and biodiversity.

Since LDCs have the most degraded wetlands, policy actions based on the GWO data should prioritize their repair. Global cooperation will be essential to securing funds and implementing adaptive strategies at the next COP15 (July 23–31, 2025, in Zimbabwe) to prevent further loss and enhance resilience.

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What Are the Global and Regional Implications of This Degradation?

The loss of 411 million hectares of wetlands worldwide since 1970 represents a 22% decrease, with Africa’s poor wetland condition trailing behind that of Europe and North America, reflecting similar trends in Asia. The GWO cautions that this deterioration exacerbates climate change and biodiversity loss by impairing flood management and carbon storage. At the regional level, urgent action is required due to South Africa’s rapid wetland depletion and projections for other African countries.

According to the report’s conclusions, presented at AMCEN-20 in Nairobi on July 15, 2025, the socioeconomic consequences will worsen if no action is taken, especially in LDCs, where wetlands are essential for survival. These hazards could be reduced by restoring these ecosystems, but doing so will require a concerted international effort.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why are Africa’s wetlands degrading faster than other regions?

Particularly in LDCs like South Africa, urbanisation, industrialisation, and infrastructural expansion, along with a lack of restoration funding, accelerate degradation.

Q2: How can wetland restoration benefit African economies?

Restoration can lower the cost of disaster response while boosting industries like fisheries, as demonstrated in Zambia’s Kafue Flats, and creating jobs and improving food and water security.

Q3: What role will the COP15 meeting play in addressing this issue?

To restore wetlands and mitigate their loss, COP15, which begins in Montreal on December 7, 2022, will promote international cooperation, secure funding, and develop policies.

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