This policy brief, titled “Integrating Climate Change for the Successful Implementation of the Accra Initiative”, explores the urgent need to link climate change considerations with regional security efforts in West Africa and the Sahel.

The Accra Initiative (AI), launched in 2017 by seven West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Togo, with Nigeria as an observer), aims to prevent the spillover of terrorism and address transnational organized crime. While the initiative has recorded successes, including joint operations and intelligence-sharing, it has yet to integrate climate-related risks into its framework.

The brief highlights how climate change acts as a “threat multiplier”, worsening vulnerabilities such as food insecurity, migration, and resource scarcity—conditions that extremist groups exploit for recruitment. Rising temperatures, reduced agricultural productivity, and climate-induced displacement are fueling insecurity in the region.

Key recommendations include:
    •    Integrating climate change into every stage of AI activities.
    •    Strengthening collaboration with governments, civil society, and international partners to address climate-security risks.
    •    Promoting more research on long-term climate impacts on violent extremism and terrorism in West Africa.

By connecting climate action with peace and security, the Accra Initiative can more effectively address the root causes of instability and foster resilience in the region.