A Super El Niño is coming: 5 hard‑won lessons the world can learn from Africa

Climate prediction scientists announced in June 2026 that El Niño, a cycle that happens every two to seven years, had formed. It was expected to develop into one of the strongest on record — a “super” El Niño. 

El Niño happens when the surface of the Pacific ocean becomes unusually warm. It can alter weather patterns worldwide, often leading to extreme events such as droughts, floods and heatwaves.

In southern Africa, it causes hot, dry weather. In a previous cycle this pushed 18 million people into hunger.

In east and central Africa, it has brought heavy rain and flooding that previously destroyed over 600,000 homes, along with farmland and health services. In west Africa, it has reduced harvests, raised food prices and left families struggling with food shortages for years after the event.