Currently, Africa is experiencing one of the most severe heatwaves in recent memory, with temperatures causing intense inconveniences. Extreme heat strains is affecting the populations in arid regions like the Sahara and the Serengeti savanna, straining people, resources, and infrastructure to near breaking point. Some African countries have experienced temperatures close to 50°C during the year.
A publication, Down to Earth, reported that“Between March 18-19, 2024, at least five African nations — South Africa, Gabon, Kenya and South Sudan — reported record-breaking temperatures.”
South Sudan was able to record as high as 43 degrees Celcius on extremely hot days, while the numbers for South Africa’s Twee Rivieren, Upington, and Postmasburg, experienced 43.7°C, 42.3°C, 38.8°C, respectively.
One of the most worrying characteristics of this heatwave is its length. Heatwaves often pass fast, but this one has lasted weeks with little respite in sight. This prolonged exposure to severe heat exacerbates the effects on both human health and the ecosystem.
Currently, Egypt is faced with an energy crisis exasperated by the heat wave.
In every region of the continent, from East to West and North to South, there is some measure of heatwave. Nasa recently reported that “in March 2024, a heatwave scorched East Africa. The extreme heat forced government officials to resort to emergency safety measures including shuttering schools in South Sudan for two weeks.”
With that said, here are the 10 hottest countries in Africa according to Yahoo Finance. This list covers the mean annual temperature as opposed to the hottest temperature each country has recorded.
| Rank | Country | Mean annual temperature | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Burkina Faso | 29.3°C | 1st |
| 2. | Mali | 29.2°C | 2nd |
| 3. | Senegal | 29.0°C | 4th |
| 4. | Mauritania | 28.9°C | 6th |
| 5. | Benin | 28.7°C | 8th |
| 6. | Gambia | 28.5°C | 9th |
| 7. | Guinea-Bissau | 28.1°C | 10th |
| 8. | Ghana | 27.7°C | 13th |
| 9. | Sudan | 27.6°C | 15th |
| 10. | Niger | 27.6°C | 16th |