Mozambique has been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change in Africa as scientists warn that a powerful El Niño weather pattern could bring severe weather conditions across Southern Africa.
The United Nations said the projected 2026 “super El Niño” could trigger intense heatwaves, below-average rainfall and increased drought risks across the region.
UN Special Rapporteur on climate change Elisa Morgera described Mozambique as particularly vulnerable despite its relatively small contribution to global climate change.
“Mozambique is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change on the planet, despite having contributed very little to it,” Morgera said.
She spoke after an 11-day working visit to Mozambique, warning that the country could face prolonged droughts, cyclones and flooding in the coming months as the El Niño conditions develop.
“In the coming months, in the context of the 2026 super El Niño, prolonged droughts, cyclones, and floods are predicted,” she said.
The warning comes as Mozambique continues to deal with the economic and humanitarian consequences of severe flooding earlier this year.
Morgera also called on multinational companies operating in the country to strengthen measures to prevent environmental damage and protect human rights.
“It is necessary to define very clear obligations for private companies that they have a responsibility to respect human rights and avoid foreseeable environmental and climate damage; this is particularly true for fossil fuel companies,” she said.
The UN estimates that about 3.5 million people in Mozambique are already experiencing acute food insecurity, raising concerns that further drought, flooding and other climate-related shocks could worsen food shortages.
Malawi and Madagascar were also identified among the African countries considered highly vulnerable to climate-related impacts.
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