Review article: Climate hazards and risk in African cities – knowledge gaps and research needs

Abstract. This study presents a semi-systematic synthesis of scientific literature published between 2015 and 2025 on climate risk in African cities. From an initial set of 1,832 records identified through broad climate- and urban-related keywords, 273 articles were selected through title and abstract screening. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative mapping of geographic coverage, climate hazards, methodologies, and keyword networks with expert review and AI-assisted synthesis of research gaps. Results reveal a rapidly growing but uneven knowledge base. Research is concentrated in a limited number of regions and large cities, while Central Africa and secondary cities remain underrepresented. Studies focus mainly on a restricted set of hazards, with few adopting multi-hazard risk perspectives. Earth Observation is widely used but remains underexploited, while high-resolution urban climate modelling and integrated assessments of social vulnerability, governance, and health impacts are still limited. Most studies are retrospective and rarely combine future climate scenarios with projected urban growth, highlighting a gap between scientific knowledge and urban planning needs.