The havoc El Niño is causing in parched southern Africa
EL Niño and the dry and hot weather it brought is withering crops, igniting inflation and affecting government and monetary policy across a swath of southern Africa.
It is also threatening to leave millions of people hungry in nations such as Zimbabwe and Malawi while curbing the hydropower needed to drive what little industry there is.
As the harvesting season for corn — or maize as it is known in the region — approaches, farmers and policymakers are fretting alike.
This week Lesetja Kganyago, South Africa’s central bank governor, said El Niño is giving pause for thought as it threatens to push up prices. That may delay interestrate cuts needed to spur an anaemic economy.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered the fast-tracking of dam building and Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Finance minister, is pinning his hopes on an expected insurance payout to cushion the blow for farmers who have lost their crops.
They have reason to be worried. The price of white corn, used to make southern Africa’s staple food, is poised to hit a record on an exchange in Johannesburg.
Inflation is at a 25-month high in Zambia and the World Food Programme estimates that 2,7 million people will need food aid in Zimbabwe.
El Niño, a warming of ocean currents that brings dry weather to southern Africa, is not a new phenomenon but it’s particularly severe this year. Some regions experienced the lowest rainfall in February since 1981.
“Roughly half the maize in these countries has dried out,” said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, referring to Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Drought, floods, devastating cyclones — climate change appears to be an increasingly important part of decision-making and everyday living in Africa.