The population of Africa’s cities is projected to double to 1.5 billion people by 2050. These cities already face various challenges, from poverty to insufficient housing and basic infrastructure, but one of the greatest risks is water insecurity. WRI experts lay out three pathways for building water resilience in Africa in the face of rising temperatures and rapid urbanization. Read more.

About 37% of the food produced in sub-Saharan Africa ultimately goes uneaten every year. This food loss and waste not only reduces economic returns for farmers, it drives agricultural expansion into fragile ecosystems, accelerates deforestation and produces 8-10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. Susan Chomba, director of WRI Africa’s Vital Landscapes program, explains how reducing food loss and waste is an important but often overlooked strategy for creating a sustainable food future in Africa. Read more.

Roughly 65% of Africa’s farmland is unproductive, eroded or otherwise degraded, and climate change will only exacerbate the problem. But on some farms and landscapes, a revolution is quietly taking place. Small farmers are revitalizing landscapes throughout the continent by growing trees on farms, building terraces, planting native species and more. WRI’s Managing Director Wanjira Mathai explains why investing in local farmers and communities is the best way to restore Africa’s degraded lands. Read more.