As climate change intensifies heatwaves across the globe, researchers and public health experts in Africa are turning to a simple but effective solution to protect vulnerable communities — reflective “cool roofs”. Early findings from projects underway in parts of Africa suggest that specially coated roofs capable of reflecting sunlight can significantly reduce indoor temperatures, improve sleep quality and lower heat-related health risks for millions living in poorly ventilated homes.
The initiative, currently being tested in South Africa and Ghana, involves painting rooftops with infrared-reflective white coating designed to repel heat rather than absorb it. According to researchers associated with the project, homes treated with the reflective coating recorded indoor temperatures that were on average 3°C to 4°C lower during the hottest hours of the day.
Scientists involved in the programme said the intervention is especially important for low-income communities where access to air conditioning or cooling systems remains limited. Many residents in informal settlements live in metal-roofed homes that trap heat, making indoor conditions unbearable during peak summer months.
One of the key pilot projects is being carried out in Khayelitsha township near Cape Town in South Africa. Researchers observed that residents living under the treated roofs reported improved sleep, reduced stress and better overall comfort during extreme heat events. Experts noted that sleep deprivation and prolonged exposure to excessive heat can contribute to serious physical and mental health problems, especially among children and elderly residents.
The project is part of a broader research initiative funded by the Wellcome Trust, focusing on how climate change is affecting public health in African nations. Researchers involved in the study said Africa has comparatively fewer large-scale heat adaptation systems despite being highly vulnerable to rising temperatures. As a result, scientists are increasingly experimenting with low-cost and scalable solutions suitable for densely populated urban settlements.
The reflective paint being used in the study is reportedly manufactured locally and can be applied on existing rooftops without major structural changes. Experts believe this makes the intervention affordable and easier to expand across schools, clinics and residential neighbourhoods.
Climate specialists say cool roofs are becoming an increasingly discussed adaptation strategy worldwide. Studies have shown that reflective surfaces reduce heat absorption and may also help minimise the “urban heat island” effect, where cities become significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas because of concrete structures and dark rooftops.
The concept has already generated discussions in several countries facing extreme temperatures. In India, for instance, some cities have begun introducing cool roof policies to tackle rising urban heat. Online users and climate advocates have also described the technology as a practical and affordable short-term response to intensifying heatwaves, especially in developing nations where energy-intensive cooling systems remain inaccessible for many households.
Researchers involved in the African study said they hope the project will eventually influence urban planning policies and encourage governments to integrate heat-resilient designs into future housing programmes. With extreme heat increasingly being described as a “silent killer”, experts believe simple interventions such as cool roofs could play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations from worsening climate conditions.
