African union officials call for increased investment in climate services

African union officials call for increased investment in climate services

African policymakers and officials have urged the African Union (AU) to boost investments in weather and climate information services to better prepare for climate-related shocks.

The appeal came during a joint forum held in Windhoek, Namibia, organized by the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications Programme (ClimSA) and the Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA).

The event brought together top policymakers from across Africa, the Southern African Development Community, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States.

Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, highlighted the strong cost-benefit ratio of investing in climate services, noting that returns far outweigh the initial costs.

He stressed the importance of farmers, weather agencies, scientists, and policymakers having access to timely, reliable, and tailored climate data sourced from national and international weather prediction stations.

Vilakati emphasized the urgent need for better satellite data and improved climate resources to safeguard Africa’s assets amid the growing threat of climate change.

Jonas Sheelongo, Deputy Executive Director of Namibia’s Transport Department, underscored the need for targeted strategies to accelerate access to weather data.

He called for modernizing observation networks, strengthening early warning systems, and building capacity from regional hubs to rural communities.

“Africa stands at the frontline of the climate crisis but also at the forefront of opportunity,” Sheelongo said, describing the forum’s theme—“Accelerating Access to Climate and Weather Services for Resilient African Economies and Communities”—as a continental imperative.

The forum, running from June 23 to 27, aims to explore ways to enhance access to climate services across the continent.