Each year, lightning kills between 6,000 and 24,000 people worldwide and injures a much higher number (source: IEEE estimate, cited by researcher Daile Zhang, University of North Dakota). However, this risk is not evenly distributed across the globe. In sub-Saharan Africa, one of the most lightning-prone regions in the world, the near-universal lack of building protection transforms a universal meteorological phenomenon into a disproportionate threat to public health.
A study published in August 2026 by the University of North Dakota (UND Today), based on a unique database of over 2,100 incidents, sheds light on this paradox. This scientific finding suggests that lightning protection should be rethought not as a mere convenience, but as a crucial safety measure for people, wherever they may be in the world.
One of the most lightning-prone regions in the world
Sub-Saharan Africa records between 2 and 4 million lightning strikes each year (source: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, cited in the study). Consequently, certain areas of the continent are among the hotspots of global thunderstorm activity.
The Congo Basin is a prime example of this phenomenon. This rainforest, the second largest in the world after the Amazon, generates a constant flow of warm, humid air. Furthermore, the Adamawa Plateau and the highlands of Cameroon force this air to rise, creating some of the most electrically active thunderstorms on the planet.
A unique database of over 2,100 incidents
Since January 2018, a research team led by Daile Zhang, in partnership with theAfrican Centres for Lightning and Education Network (ACLENet), has been documenting lightning incidents in 46 of the 54 African countries. By June 2026, this database contained more than 2,100 entries.
This database allowed for the calculation of a risk score combining three factors: the frequency of lightning strikes, the casualty rate relative to the population, and economic vulnerability (GDP per capita, World Bank). Thus, of the 15 countries with sufficient data, 14 are classified as high or very high risk. Only South Africa is an exception, thanks to a moderate risk level and a robust lightning research network.
An unprecedented census challenge
Many lightning incidents go unreported, particularly in the Global South. Limited internet access, sporadic civil unrest, and cultural beliefs attributing lightning to supernatural forces complicate the comprehensive accounting of victims.
Furthermore, the language barrier further complicates the task: the African continent has at least 75 languages, each spoken by more than a million people, in addition to hundreds of other local languages. Consequently, following up on field reports remains a particularly challenging exercise for researchers.
Why buildings amplify the danger
Contrary to popular belief, the frequency of impacts alone does not explain the number of victims. The exposure and vulnerability of buildings play an equally crucial role.
In Africa, approximately half of all recorded incidents occur inside buildings: schools, homes, churches, markets. The classic advice "when thunder roars, take shelter" then loses all its protective meaning. Several factors are at play:
- Total lack of lightning protection in many public and private buildings;
- Use of a single lightning arrester, often poorly maintained and not compliant with international standards;
- Failure to maintain and periodically inspect existing installations;
- Isolated devices not designed to protect an entire building.
Furthermore, researchers found that 87% of fatal incidents in Africa involve multiple victims simultaneously, compared to less than 10% in developed countries. Multiple-victim incidents have been repeatedly reported in Uganda, often in classrooms lacking any protection.
Consequences that go beyond statistics
Beyond the statistics, survivors often suffer invisible but lasting consequences: chronic pain, memory problems, tinnitus, and partial paralysis. In the United States, more than two-thirds of survivors have no visible scars, which complicates medical diagnosis and access to appropriate care.
In comparison, countries with protected buildings and vehicles have significantly higher survival rates. In the United States, more than 90% of people struck by lightning survive; in Canada, there are 9 to 10 deaths annually and 92 to 164 injuries. Thus, the difference between continents is not due to the nature of the phenomenon, which is the same everywhere, but to the available means of protection.
Among the cases documented by the research team is that of a nurse struck by lightning while vaccinating children at a school. Thrown through a window, she lost consciousness and has since suffered from chronic pain and partial paralysis of her legs. Ten years later, in the same classroom, still lacking lightning protection, another strike killed 18 children and injured 38 others. This tragedy led ACLENet to install a lightning protection system at the school in 2016.
What is a lightning protection system that complies with the IEC 62305 standard?
A lightning protection system conforming to IEC 62305 combines a lightning arrester (early streamer emission lightning rod or ASD), down conductors, appropriate grounding, and surge arresters protecting internal electrical networks. Unlike a simple isolated lightning rod, this system protects the entire building and requires periodic inspection to maintain its effectiveness over time.
Strengthening lightning protection for buildings, wherever they are located
In light of these observations, the design of a complete lightning protection system relies on several complementary components:
- Lightning rods and lightning arresters, sized according to the required level of protection;
- Down conductors capable of safely dissipating lightning current;
- Grounding rods ensuring effective current dispersion;
- Fixing and Equipotential Spark Gap accessories ensuring continuity of installation.
Furthermore, maintenance should never be neglected. A wireless diagnostic device like Alert@ir DC allows for remote testing of the condition of a surge protector, a valuable asset for isolated or hard-to-reach sites, a particularly relevant issue on the African continent.
Finally, for organizations managing multiple international sites, a platform like LPS Manager centralizes the monitoring of facilities, the planning of periodic checks and the documentary traceability required by the IEC 62305 standard, regardless of the country of establishment.
What South Africa teaches the rest of the world
Of the 15 countries studied, South Africa stands out: its lightning risk remains moderate, its economic vulnerability is lower, and above all, it has an internationally recognized lightning research team coupled with a better warning system. Thus, this country concretely illustrates that investing in research, awareness, and regulatory protection sustainably reduces the human impact of lightning.
This lesson extends far beyond the African continent. Indeed, whether it is an industrial site in Europe, a farm in the United States or a public building in Africa, the principle remains the same: the severity of a lightning strike depends primarily on the level of preparation, and not solely on the weather.
In short: protection first
Ultimately, Daile Zhang's study underscores a simple yet crucial truth: lightning strikes everywhere in the same way, but its consequences depend directly on the level of protection afforded to buildings. Therefore, investing in lightning protection that meets international standards, is regularly maintained and inspected, and remains the most effective way to reduce casualties, in Africa as elsewhere.
Do you manage a sensitive building and want to assess its lightning risk level? Contact the experts LPS France for a risk study compliant with IEC 62305 and tailored support.
