In a compelling appeal to the African Union and its member states, senior policymakers and climate experts have urged intensified investment in climate and weather information services, underscoring their indispensable role in safeguarding economies and communities from escalating climate risks.
The call was issued during a joint forum convened under the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications Programme (ClimSA) and the Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA), which commenced on Monday in Windhoek, Namibia. The five-day event draws participation from top officials of African Union institutions, regional economic communities such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, highlighted the pressing need for African governments to prioritise the modernisation of meteorological infrastructure. He argued that investment in climate services yields significant cost-benefit advantages, citing evidence that proactive strategies informed by accurate climate data can drastically reduce economic losses and protect lives.
Vilakati noted that farmers, scientists, policymakers, and meteorological institutions across the continent require timely and user-oriented climate data. Much of this data is currently dispersed among national, regional, and international meteorological organisations. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), enhancing access to these datasets through improved sharing mechanisms and digital platforms could transform disaster preparedness and agricultural planning in vulnerable regions.
Speaking at the forum, Jonas Sheelongo, Deputy Executive Director in Namibia’s Ministry of Works and Transport, emphasised that climate change is an immediate reality demanding coordinated responses. “Climate resources such as satellite-based data services are critical,” he said, adding that “accelerating access to weather and climate data strengthens national meteorological and hydrological services at every level—from sophisticated regional centres to the most remote rural villages.”
The forum’s thematic focus, ‘Accelerating Access to Climate and Weather Services for Resilient African Economies and Communities’, is widely seen as a call not merely for development but for survival. Africa remains disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, with limited adaptive capacity exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities. As noted in a 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the continent faces increased risks from drought, food insecurity, and water scarcity if early warning systems and climate resilience measures are not urgently expanded.
Experts at the forum pointed to the importance of leveraging multilateral partnerships and digital innovations to build comprehensive climate services infrastructure. This includes upgrading observational networks, investing in real-time forecasting systems, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills of technical personnel across the continent.
While the financial implications of such investments are significant, participants stressed that the costs of inaction are far greater. The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that climate change could shave up to 15% off GDP growth in vulnerable African economies by 2030 unless mitigative and adaptive frameworks are urgently implemented.
As discussions continue in Windhoek, there is growing consensus that investment in climate information services is no longer optional. It is a strategic imperative for ensuring Africa’s long-term development, stability, and food security. The continent’s leadership now faces the task of translating dialogue into robust policy and sustained financial commitment.
