Episode 385: West Africa: What Does the Climate Crisis Look Like?

In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Ibrahim Aboubacar Hama about climate change and its impact on food security, livelihoods, and stability across West Africa. Ibrahim shares what climate change looks like on the ground, and why national strategies often don't match lived reality. The discussion examines whether government frameworks like Senegal's agenda can keep pace with a food security crisis that's projected to nearly double during the lean season, and why bridging the gap between science and affected communities is still one of the region's biggest challenges. We also explore the lingering fingerprints of colonial-era resource extraction and what the rest of the world consistently gets wrong about the crisis unfolding in West Africa. The conversation explores: -What climate change actually looks like for communities on the ground -Why strategy on paper often fails to reach the people who need it most -The lingering economic and institutional legacy of colonial-era extraction -Why bridging the gap between science and society is important Ibrahim Aboubacar Hama is an Environmentalist and Communication Specialist with extensive experience designing and managing climate change adaptation projects across West Africa, with expertise spanning social mobilization, gender equity, stakeholder engagement, and conservation education. The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers to explore the forces transforming our world — from geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare. Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and one of Europe’s leading experts on international risk and crisis management. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across Europe on how to prepare for uncertainty, navigate crises, and build strategic resilience in an increasingly volatile world. Subscribe for new episodes every week Tell us what you liked in the comments below Share this episode with colleagues in risk, policy, and security #Geopolitics #ClimateChange #WestAfrica #FoodSecurity #Senegal #Niger #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateSecurity #Sahel #PoliticalRisk #InternationalRisk #Strategy Tell us what you liked!