WMO Strengthens African Weather Services Through Training and Resource Mobilization

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Office for Africa has stepped up its support to African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) through a series of online capacity-building sessions designed to strengthen institutional sustainability, improve service delivery, and expand access to funding and international cooperation mechanisms.

Held on 15 July and 20 August 2025, the two sessions brought together Heads of NMHSs, international advisers, and senior officials from related national agencies. The discussions focused on two major objectives: first, to improve understanding of WMO’s support mechanisms and how they can be accessed; and second, to promote best practices in resource mobilization and financial sustainability.

The initiative, part of WMO’s broader effort to strengthen weather, climate, and water services across Africa, comes at a critical moment as countries face growing challenges from climate change, extreme weather events, and limited institutional capacity.

“Our goal is to ensure that no NMHS is left behind,” said Amadou Bah, WMO Representative for Africa. “By improving access to WMO support and promoting financial self-sufficiency, we are helping African meteorological services build resilience and independence for the long term.”

Addressing Capacity and Resource Gaps

Across Africa, many NMHSs operate under severe resource constraints, struggling to maintain observation networks, upgrade forecasting technologies, or retain trained personnel. Limited national funding, combined with high operational costs, has hampered their ability to provide timely and impact-based weather, climate, and hydrological services that are vital for agriculture, disaster risk reduction, energy, water management, and public safety.

To bridge these gaps, WMO offers its Members multiple technical and financial assistance channels, including:

• The Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP), which funds targeted projects to enhance observation networks, forecasting systems, and capacity development.

• WMO-implemented projects that focus on improving early warning systems and climate services.

• Technical assistance and Member-to-Member support programmes involving partnerships between well-resourced and developing NMHSs.

• Strategic partnerships with regional and international organizations to mobilize donor funding and private-sector contributions.

Despite these opportunities, WMO found that many NMHSs remain unaware of how to access or navigate these support mechanisms. The first information session on 15 July was therefore dedicated to closing this knowledge gap.

“We wanted NMHSs to see the full range of assistance available and to learn from those who have successfully accessed it,” said Dr. Lucy Nyong’o, Programme Officer at the WMO Regional Office for Africa. “Knowledge is the first step toward empowerment.”

Learning from Member-to-Member Support

During the first session, representatives from the United Kingdom’s Met Office, Germany’s National Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD), Nigeria’s NiMet, and Morocco’s MeteoMaroc shared case studies on how Member-to-Member collaboration has strengthened operational capacity in Africa.

For example:

• The UK Met Office described its work under the Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) initiative, which supports NMHSs with forecasting technology, training, and communication tools.

• Germany’s DWD outlined its ongoing partnerships with African countries in upgrading observation networks and climate modelling systems.

• NiMet presented its experience in training meteorologists from West Africa, developing impact-based forecasting frameworks, and implementing regional aviation weather services.

• MeteoMaroc shared its success in integrating climate data into agricultural planning, demonstrating how hydrometeorological services can directly contribute to food security and economic development.

These examples illustrated how peer-to-peer cooperation can complement WMO’s broader global programmes by leveraging the technical strengths of more advanced NMHSs to assist those with limited capacity.

Promoting Financial Sustainability

The second session, held on 20 August, focused on one of the most pressing issues facing NMHSs: resource mobilization and financial sustainability.

Experts from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and The Gambia presented national success stories in mobilizing resources, diversifying income sources, and securing long-term government support.

• Benin’s Meteorological Service described how it successfully introduced service fees for the private sector, including agriculture, construction, and transport industries, while maintaining free access for public safety and disaster management users.

• Côte d’Ivoire outlined its progress in securing higher national budget allocations by demonstrating the economic value of meteorological information to policymakers.

• The Gambia shared how it leveraged legislative reforms to create a legal basis for cost recovery and commercial weather services, allowing it to reinvest revenues into modernization.

The session underscored that sustainability depends not only on donor funding but also on local ownership, supported by strong institutional frameworks and enabling legislation.

“Meteorological and hydrological services are public goods,” said Abdoulaye Diop, Director of Meteorology for Côte d’Ivoire. “But their long-term survival depends on treating them as essential national investments, not optional expenditures.”

Participants discussed the importance of establishing public-private partnerships, integrating weather data into national development plans, and improving the communication of weather services’ economic value to decision-makers.

Knowledge Sharing and Regional Collaboration

The online forums also provided a platform for NMHS leaders to share lessons learned, challenges, and innovations. Discussions emphasized the value of regional cooperation, particularly in the exchange of expertise, data, and resources through WMO’s African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) framework.

WMO officials highlighted how African Meteorological Centres of Excellence—including those in Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco—can act as regional training and resource hubs. By working together, NMHSs can build collective resilience against shared threats such as drought, flooding, and tropical cyclones.

Participants also discussed the potential of digital transformation in improving efficiency. The introduction of cloud-based data platforms, automated observation systems, and e-learning tools is helping NMHSs streamline operations even with limited manpower.

“Digital solutions are a game-changer for African NMHSs,” said Dr. Samuel Taye, a hydrometeorological expert from Ethiopia. “They allow us to do more with less—automating observation, improving data access, and connecting experts across borders.”

Building Long-Term Resilience and Climate Security

Ultimately, the sessions reinforced the vital role of NMHSs in climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. From agriculture to aviation, accurate meteorological services are foundational to safety, food security, and economic stability.

WMO’s continued efforts to support NMHSs aim to help countries achieve several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action) by improving adaptation and mitigation planning.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through better agricultural forecasting.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by supporting early warning systems.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) via technology and capacity upgrades.

“When NMHSs are strong, societies are safer and economies more resilient,” said Dr. Filipe Lucio, Director of the WMO Regional Office for Africa. “Our focus is on helping African nations build institutions that can stand on their own, forecast with precision, and serve their people effectively.”

The Path Forward

Following the success of these sessions, WMO plans to expand the programme with additional webinars and regional workshops throughout 2026. Future sessions will focus on innovative financing models, gender inclusion in climate services, and strengthening partnerships with universities and research institutions.

By investing in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration, the WMO and its partners are helping African NMHSs overcome challenges and achieve sustainability, ensuring they can continue to deliver life-saving forecasts and climate intelligence for generations to come.

“Every forecast is a service to society,” said WMO’s closing statement. “And every investment in meteorology is an investment in a safer, more resilient, and prosperous Africa.”