AMCOMET Unveils Strategic Plan for Enhancing Meteorological Services Across Africa

AMCOMET Unveils Strategic Plan for Enhancing Meteorological Services Across Africa

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) has officially launched the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan aimed at advancing the African Integrated Strategy on Meteorology. 

This initiative is designed to deliver unified and strategic guidance to African Union member states regarding meteorology, climate resilience, and adaptation.

The launch took place during a side event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the focus was on strengthening partnerships between governments, financial institutions, and private stakeholders. Discussions emphasized financial challenges and opportunities crucial for boosting climate resilience and recognized the essential role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in sustainable development.

Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted the pressing need for African nations to adapt to climate change. She stated, “Extreme climatic events are growing in frequency and intensity, impacting communities across Africa with devastating effects. In 2024, multiple countries, including those along the East African coast and the Sahel, have experienced severe floods, while relentless droughts in southern Africa have been exacerbated by El Niño. Meanwhile, extreme heat continues to affect regions in North Africa. The climate crisis intricately interlinks with the inequality crisis, adversely affecting all facets of sustainable development.”

Saulo further warned of the economic ramifications, noting, “African nations are projected to lose between 2% and 5% of their GDP annually due to climate-related impacts, with some governments compelled to allocate up to 9% of their budgets to unforeseen disaster response costs, as highlighted in the 2023 State of Climate in Africa Report.”

She cautioned that without action, by 2030, “up to 118 million extremely poor Africans could be exposed to life-threatening climate extremes, undermining progress towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development.”

Despite these challenges, there exists significant potential for positive transformation if nations can effectively leverage weather, water, and climate information. 

However, this requires substantial investments across the value chain for the provision and delivery of accurate forecasts and warnings, with a pressing need for improvements in infrastructure and human resource development.

Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, urged, “I appeal for the full support of all African Union member states and partners in effectively implementing the plan we unveil today. It is crucial that we invest in weather, water, climate, and early warning services, as these are vital for sustainable development. We must take urgent steps to adapt and minimize losses while safeguarding the developmental gains we have made.”

Mike Elton Mposha, Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment and 1st Vice Chair of AMCOMET, noted, “The accuracy of forecasts and warnings relies heavily on the quality of the underlying data. Unfortunately, Africa faces significant gaps in basic weather and climate data. The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is assisting 23 African countries with an approved funding of 62 million USD to address these gaps. SOFF provides not just one-time investment support but also long-term grant financing and technical assistance.”

Mposha added, “WMO actively supports capacity development through its training programs, with about one third of its project portfolio dedicated to African members. Through the UN Secretary General’s Early Warnings For All initiative, WMO collaborates with partners to enhance early warning services. Investing in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) makes sound economic sense and offers considerable returns, estimated at over five billion dollars annually in global socioeconomic benefits. 

“Hydrometeorological investments are crucial, but their impact must be maximized through effective coordination, transparency, and inclusivity. We must move away from fragmented project approaches and work towards equitable strategies that prioritize sustainable financing and long-term capacity building,” he concluded.