Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Africa’s Disaster Risk Governance

In the decade following the landmark Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Africa’s approach to disaster governance reveals intricate challenges and opportunities that could redefine resilience on the continent. As governments, institutions, and communities grapple with escalating climatic, geological, and health-related disasters, the existing governance paradigms—often entrenched in rigid institutional silos—are increasingly insufficient. The call for a comprehensive rethinking of multilevel disaster risk governance in Africa underscores the urgent necessity to evolve from fragmented efforts to cohesive, adaptive strategies embedded across various layers of society and governance.

One of the most significant critiques emerging in contemporary disaster risk science concerns the compartmentalization of responsibilities within national and regional governments. Institutional silos—where individual departments operate in relative isolation—hamper the development and execution of integrated disaster risk management policies. This compartmentalization often leads to redundancies and gaps, undermining cohesive response mechanisms. Africa, with its diverse socio-political landscapes and varying degrees of institutional capacity, exemplifies these challenges vividly, illuminating why a multilevel, cross-sectoral governance approach is not just preferable but imperative.

The Sendai Framework, ratified in 2015, was an ambitious global agenda aiming to reduce disaster risk by emphasizing resilience, inclusivity, and the integration of disaster risk considerations into sustainable development. For African nations, this framework presented a blueprint to align disaster risk governance with developmental goals. However, ten years into its implementation, observable progress has been mixed. Structural and governance reforms have lagged, largely due to prevailing silo mentalities and fragmented decision-making processes. Okunola’s recent investigative analysis delves into these dynamics, highlighting how traditional governance structures are often incompatible with the complex, multi-scalar nature of contemporary disaster risks.

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Multilevel disaster governance necessitates coordination not only vertically—between local, regional, and national authorities—but also horizontally, bridging sectors such as health, environment, infrastructure, and emergency response. This multidimensional coordination is vital in Africa, where local communities frequently bear the brunt of disasters yet remain poorly integrated into formal governance frameworks. Local knowledge and adaptive capacities can be powerful assets in disaster risk reduction, yet institutional barriers often preclude their meaningful participation. Rethinking governance thus involves cultivating mechanisms that facilitate inclusive dialogue and collaboration across all societal strata.

Moreover, the technical intricacies of disaster risk science reveal that risk itself is multifaceted. It incorporates hazard exposure, vulnerability, and the capacity to respond and recover. African cities, for instance, are emblematic of this complexity. Rapid urbanization has produced sprawling informal settlements lacking adequate infrastructure and services, amplifying vulnerability to floods, fires, and disease outbreaks. Meanwhile, climate-induced droughts undermine rural agricultural livelihoods, triggering cascading economic and social disruptions. Effective governance models must therefore be dynamic and systemic, connecting hazard assessments, early warning systems, socio-economic planning, and resource management within integrated frameworks.

In practical terms, implementing such multilevel governance requires not only political will but also technical capacity and data integration. Disaster risk information management systems in Africa often suffer from fragmentation and lack of interoperability. Diverse agencies collect data using different standards and platforms, making synthesis arduous. Enhancing these systems through technological innovation and shared protocols can improve decision-making and facilitate quicker, evidence-based responses. Furthermore, fostering partnerships with academic and research institutions can bridge knowledge gaps and support the continuous refinement of risk models tailored to African contexts.

A decade into the Sendai Framework, it is evident that governance processes must evolve to embrace what scholars term “governance without government” approaches. This concept entails decentralized and networked forms of governance where state actors collaborate with non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, and civil society groups. Such an ecosystemic configuration is crucial for addressing transboundary hazards and ensuring sustained resource flows for disaster risk reduction programs. Okunola points out that this is particularly relevant in Africa, where regional bodies like the African Union and regional economic communities can play pivotal roles in harmonizing policies and mobilizing collective action.

Institutional reforms also necessitate shifting mindsets from reactive disaster management to proactive risk reduction. Instead of focusing solely on emergency response, governance frameworks should prioritize preparedness, risk communication, and resilience-building initiatives. This transition demands capacity-building across all levels, from national disaster management agencies down to local councils and community organizations. Training programs, knowledge exchanges, and infrastructural investments are critical in embedding disaster risk reduction into everyday governance and developmental processes.

At the heart of these reforms lies the principle of inclusivity, advocating for the meaningful engagement of vulnerable groups—women, youth, persons with disabilities, and indigenous populations—who are disproportionately impacted by disasters. Effective governance models must incorporate social equity considerations to prevent exacerbation of existing inequalities. Strategies might include participatory risk assessments, gender-sensitive planning, and ensuring access to financial and technical resources for marginalized communities. In Africa, where social fabrics vary widely, culturally contextualized engagement approaches are paramount.

Climate change compounds the urgency of these governance challenges, as its impacts manifest unevenly across the continent. From desertification in the Sahel to rising sea levels affecting coastal regions, climate variability intensifies hazard exposure and amplifies existing vulnerabilities. Disaster governance frameworks must therefore integrate climate adaptation strategies, fostering synergies between mitigation efforts and disaster risk reduction. Enhanced coordination across environmental agencies and disaster management bodies can generate co-benefits, such as ecosystem restoration projects that buffer against floods while providing livelihoods.

Finance remains a perennial bottleneck in advancing multilevel disaster risk governance. African countries often rely heavily on international aid and donor-funded projects, which may be episodic and fragmented. Sustainable financing mechanisms—including insurance schemes, public-private partnerships, and disaster risk financing facilities—are essential to ensure continuity and scalability of risk reduction interventions. Additionally, improving transparency and accountability in fund management can increase trust and effectiveness, facilitating greater investment from diverse stakeholders.

Technological innovations offer promising avenues to bolster governance capacities. The proliferation of mobile technologies and satellite remote sensing enhances real-time hazard monitoring and community early warning systems. Big data analytics and artificial intelligence can refine risk modeling and resource allocation. However, technological advancements must be coupled with local capacity development to avoid creating new disparities. Equipping local authorities and communities with knowledge and tools ensures that innovations translate into actionable governance improvements.

The geopolitical context also shapes disaster governance trajectories in Africa. Conflicts, political instability, and governance deficits in certain countries exacerbate vulnerability and undermine coordinated disaster response. Peacebuilding and governance reforms thus intersect with disaster reduction agendas. Strengthening institutional legitimacy and fostering social cohesion can enhance resilience by enabling more effective cooperation and resource-sharing during crises.

Looking ahead, Okunola argues that the future of disaster risk governance in Africa depends on embracing complexity and fostering adaptability. This means moving beyond rigid institutional boundaries toward flexible, inclusive networks capable of learning and evolving in response to emerging threats. Such transformation requires continuous dialogue among policymakers, scientists, and communities, as well as robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and adjust strategies accordingly.

Ultimately, the decade since the Sendai Framework presents both a challenge and an opportunity. African nations stand at a crossroads where entrenched governance practices must yield to innovative, multilevel approaches that harness diversity, knowledge, and technology. The stakes are high: effective disaster risk governance not only saves lives and reduces economic losses but also underpins sustainable development and climate resilience for future generations. Okunola’s comprehensive analysis serves as a clarion call for reimagining how disaster governance is conceived and operationalized across the continent—an imperative that, if met, can profoundly shape Africa’s developmental trajectory in the face of growing uncertainty.

Subject of Research: Rethinking and improving multilevel disaster risk governance frameworks in Africa within the context of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Article Title: Beyond Institutional Silos: Rethinking Multilevel Disaster Risk Governance in Africa a Decade into the Sendai Framework Implementation.

Article References:
Okunola, O.H. Beyond Institutional Silos: Rethinking Multilevel Disaster Risk Governance in Africa a Decade into the Sendai Framework Implementation. Int J Disaster Risk Sci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-025-00646-1

Image Credits: AI Generated

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