African cities are increasingly using ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and urban green corridors as natural infrastructure to reduce flooding, cool rising temperatures, and strengthen climate resilience, according to a recent report published on PreventionWeb.
Rapid urban expansion, combined with climate change, has intensified flooding risks across many African cities. A major example occurred in Kinshasa, where heavy rainfall in April 2025 overwhelmed drainage systems, submerged large parts of the city, destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and displaced thousands of residents.
The report highlights that conventional infrastructure such as dams, seawalls, and drainage systems is often too expensive or insufficient to keep up with worsening extreme weather. As a result, cities are increasingly adopting “nature-based solutions” that work with ecosystems instead of replacing them.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, green corridors have been introduced along major roads, connecting parks, rivers, and public spaces into a continuous ecological network. These green belts have already helped reduce air pollution levels and are expected to provide long-term cooling benefits as trees mature.
In Kigali, Rwanda, large-scale wetland restoration projects are helping absorb stormwater and reduce flooding in low-lying districts. The city’s Nyandungu Eco-Park alone has restored degraded wetlands, reintroduced thousands of native trees, and created habitats for more than 100 bird species, while also generating thousands of green jobs.
Johannesburg, South Africa, is focusing on removing invasive plant species along river systems such as the Jukskei River. These invasive plants worsen flooding by destabilizing riverbanks, and their removal allows native vegetation to restore natural water absorption and improve ecosystem stability.
In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, watershed restoration efforts are targeting flood risks at their source by planting millions of trees upstream. These trees slow down rainfall runoff, reduce erosion, and help protect downstream communities from sudden flash floods.
Researchers emphasize that nature-based solutions can address multiple problems at once, including flooding, heat stress, biodiversity loss, and unemployment. Unlike single-purpose infrastructure, restored ecosystems provide layered benefits that strengthen long-term urban resilience.
The report concludes that as African cities continue to grow rapidly, integrating nature into urban planning is becoming a critical strategy for adapting to climate change and reducing disaster risk across the continent.