Climate Change Impacts and Internal Migration in Africa:A Scoping Review of Emerging Evidence

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a significant driver of internal migration in Africa, transforming longstanding patterns across rural and urban areas. This scoping review assesses the nexus between climate change and internal migration across this broad region by synthesising existing literature. It examines selected studies to illustrate how extreme weather events and slow-onset processes are driving population mobility within national borders. The review differentiates between voluntary and involuntary forms of migration, their duration, geographical trajectories, and socioeconomic implications for sending and receiving areas. Gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are treated as key mediating variables of vulnerability, exposure to adverse impacts, decision-making, and (individual and household) adaptive capacity in the context of environmental stressors. The vulnerabilities of populations in marginal environments, such as arid zones, low-lying coastal areas, and conflict-prone regions, are also taken into account when assessing migration propensities. Finally, the review identifies gaps in existing literature, including underexplored themes and neglected geographical areas, and reflects on the policy implications of the analysis.