This study investigates the trend in monthly and annual rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature (T_min and T_max) using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope (SS) method and evaluates the significance of their variability for maize, sorghum and millet yields in northern Togo employing multiple regression analysis. The historical data of Kara, Niamtougou, Mango and Dapaong weather stations from 1977 to 2012 were used. Four non-parametric methods—Alexandersson’s Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT), Buishand’s Range Test (BRT), Pettitt’s Test (PT) and Von Neumann’s Ratio Test (VNRT)—were applied to detect homogeneity in the data. For the data which were serially correlated, a modified version of the MK test (pre-whitening) was utilised. Results showed an increasing trend in the annual rainfall in all four locations. However, this trend was only significant at Dapaong (p < 0.1). There was an increasing trend in T_max at Kara, Mango and Niamtougou, unlike Dapaong where T_max revealed a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.01). Similarly, there was an increasing trend in T_min at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, unlike Niamtougou where T_min showed a non-significant decreasing trend (p > 0.05). Rainfall in Dapaong was found to have increased (7.79 mm/year) more than the other locations such as Kara (2.20 mm/year), Niamtougou (4.57 mm/year) and Mango (0.67 mm). T_max increased by 0.13, 0.13 and 0.32 °C per decade at Kara, Niamtougou and Mango, respectively, and decreased by 0.20 per decade in Dapaong. Likewise, T_min increased by 0.07, 0.20 and 0.02 °C per decade at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, respectively, and decreased by 0.01 °C per decade at Niamtougou. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed nonlinear yield responses to changes in rainfall and temperature. Rainfall and temperature variability affects rainfed cereal crops production, but the effects vary across crops. The temperature has a positive effect on maize yield in Kara, Niamtougou and Mango but a negative effect on sorghum in Niamtougou and millet in Dapaong, while rainfall has a negative effect on maize yield in Niamtougou and Dapaong and millet yield in Mango. In all locations, rainfall and temperature variability has a significant effect on the cereal crop yields. There is, therefore, a need to adopt some adaptation strategies for sustainable agricultural production in northern Togo.

Coupled with poor urban development, the increasing urban population of many Sub-Saharan African countries is subject to recurrent severe flooding episodes. In response to these flood events, while the focus is often put on slums and precarious urban settings, the social implications of these floods affect a variety of social classes. Presenting a case study of Cocody, a district of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, known to have the country’s highest number of flood-impacted people, this paper evaluates the social vulnerability of urban Côte d’Ivoire to flooding using the MOVE framework. The MOVE framework (Method for the Improvement of Vulnerability Assessment in Europe) has successfully been used in European contexts to assess social vulnerability of urban areas to geo-environmental disasters such floods. It helped assess the major factors involved in the social vulnerability to urban flooding and to have a good appreciation of the spatial distribution of areas that are vulnerable to urban flood. By taking this framework to the local context, relevant indicators were developed and GIS applications were used to assess spatially the relative social vulnerability of Cocody sub-districts to urban flooding. The results revealed that many sub-districts of Cocody are highly vulnerable to urban floods. Exposure and susceptibility are components that are found to have high influence on vulnerability to flood hazard in the district of Cocody. Their respective indicators need to be addressed properly in order to increase residents’ resilience to urban flooding. The MOVE theoretical framework can be applied in Africa by contextualizing the vulnerability by using local indicators.

The land use/land cover of the district of Cocody in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is under substantial pressure associated with ‘fast urbanization. This study conducts a detailed analysis of the impact of the changing land use/land cover in Cocody by assessing inhabitants’ social vulnerability to heat. The approach was based on integrated methods: remote sensing-based analysis of urban land cover helped to analyze the urbanization dynamic, while indicator-based analysis, through the integrated theoretical MOVE framework, helped to define vulnerability and identify indicators. Both methods combined allowed an analysis of the social vulnerability of Cocody inhabitants to extreme heat conditions. The results reveal that Cocody is experiencing rapid land use/land cover change dominated by rapid growth of buildings and a noticeable decrease in the natural environment. Cocody is highly vulnerable to extreme heat conditions, which could be aggravated by its increasing population, with a high percentage of children under five years of age (11.31%). Creating more green spaces is therefore recommended in the more susceptible areas to counter the harmful effects of the changing climate.

Urban flooding causes serious socioeconomic damages to cities worldwide. However, due to the lack of adequate sanitation and housing infrastructures, populations in developing countries are the most affected. This study sought to assess the population perception of the main issues around flooding, and the socioeconomic impact of flood-related damage in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Direct field observations, meteorological data analysis, a survey of land features and household interviews were therefore conducted. Poor design and mismanagement of drainage systems were seen as the primary causes of flooding, while the two main consequences reported were the displacement of affected populations and material damage. Residents seem to be aware of the causes and the potential consequences of flooding; however, they are lacking adequate prevention strategies and effective mechanisms of coping with the damage inflicted. For a more efficient flood management system, collaboration between authorities and affected populations is highly encouraged. © 2019 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Developing country, drainage system, geographical survey, risk perception, urban flooding

Burkina Faso, like other Sahelian countries, has experienced a profound change in its climatic regime,with the new context characterised by high rainfall variability with an overall downward trend and ashortening of the seasons. The future rainfall pattern anticipates a decrease in the frequency of lowrainfall (0.1 to 5 mm per day), a lengthening of the average duration of dry sequences, and an early endand late start of rainy seasons. The objective of this study was to perform an in-depth analysis of stakeholder perceptions about agricultural water (AgWater) resources sustainability, practices in the context of climate variability and change in Burkina Faso. Interviews were held with institutional actors involved in water resources decision making and initiatives (Government, Research, Non-Governmental Organisations) in the country. In addition, based on four main criteria (climate condition, type of farm and crop, type of AgWater sources, reliability of AgWater), three agricultural sites were investigated using household surveys. The results showed that organisations and farmers in Burkina Faso were aware of climate impacts and had initiated and implemented for many years, diverse options and water control mechanisms for AgWater adaptation. However, there were still gaps in strategies for adapting the water sector to climate threats. Institutional bodies had not got yet attained capacity to sustainably anticipate the effects of climate change on AgWater. There was a lack of mainstreaming hydroclimate services at farm levels, especially for the dry season crops; lack of on-farm flood control mechanisms, absence of a clear gender approach and no standardised monitoring system, Farmers also lacked anticipatory resilience strategies, particularly those who used water sources that were considered as “reliable” then. In general, most of the climate adaptation initiatives implemented lacked synergies, sustainability, and were uncertain about sound water resource management such as moving towards “no regret” and “win-win” options.

Extreme precipitation has caused catastrophic flooding across West Africa, worsened by climate change. Understanding which rainfall type (deep, stratiform, or shallow convective) drives flooding along the West African coast can improve disaster response. This study combines seven years (2015–2021) of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) monthly rain-type retrievals with forty-two years (1984–2025) of in situ daily rainfall observations from SODEXAM at Abidjan. GPM DPR data were aggregated into monthly climatological maps to characterize each rain type’s spatial distribution and seasonal cycle, while SODEXAM daily records were analyzed for rainy-day frequency and depth to identify the flood-critical period. All three types of rainfall contribute to the region’s high seasonal totals, but deep convective rainfall dominates and peaks in May and June, contributing on average 60% of total monthly rainfall versus 35% for stratiform and 5% for shallow convective rainfall. The 42-year ground record showed elevated rainy-day frequency and rainfall depth between 29 May and 18 June, defining a flood-critical period. This period coincides with the climatological peak in GPM-derived deep convective rainfall, indicating that deep convective systems are closely associated with the recurrent severe flooding observed in Abidjan from late May to mid-June.