WHAT: The official kick-off of the African Meteorological Satellite Applications Facility (AMSAF) is being convened following the recommendations of the inaugural Steering Committee of the Strengthening Early Warning Systems in Africa (SEWA) Project. The event is hosted by AUC- SEBE Directorate and organised by the SEWA implementing entities at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

AMSAF is being developed under the European Union-funded SEWA Project (Component 2 of the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme-SPP). The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of African institutions to develop meteorological satellite products across Africa, in support of African policies and priorities in general, focusing supporting Weather Alerts systems and climate resilience efforts.

WHERE: African Union Headquarters, Addis-Ababa.

WHEN: 18 – 19 May 2026

WHO: Organised by The African Union Commission (AUC), through the Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE).

WHY: The event will bring together African and international partners involved in the implementation of SEWA to initiate the activities towards the operationalization of AMSAF and discuss its governance.

AMSAF contributes to the implementation of the AUC Decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 816(XXXV): by   supporting the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (weather, water, and climate services) (2021 to 2030) (from Abidjan to Addis). The initiative lies at the intersection of Meteorology and Space science and seeks to strengthen Africa’s capabilities in weather and climate monitoring, forecasting, and disaster preparedness.

Key Discussion Areas, the meeting will focus on:

• The implementation of AMSAF-Nowcasting under SEWA project;
• Supporting Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) in synergy with other African institutions and UN programmes
• Strengthening African partnership for the development of AMSAF
• Establishing the Governance framework of AMSAF

Keynote Speakers:

• Directorate of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), African Union Commission
• European Union Delegation to the African Union

Representatives from:

• European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) – Keynote
• European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO/AMCOMET)

The meeting will gather representatives from:

• African Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs);
• WMO; to present the WMO Content Management System (CMS) project;
• African Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) -AGRHYMET, ICPAC, SADC-CSC, CAPC-AC, IOC, and the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD);
• Ethiopian Meteorological Institute and President of WMO RA-I;
• African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) Bureau and Secretariat
• European Commission (DG INTPA);
• AMSAF Technical Assistance team;
• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR);
• EUMETSAT, technical partners for SEWA project;
• European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Media representatives are warmly invited to attend 18 and 19 May 2026, to cover this important continental initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s meteorological and early warning capacities through enhanced use of satellite technologies. Bilateral interviews are welcomed but will be based on the persons availability and at their discretion.

#Amsaf #Space4Met #AU-SEWA #AfMetStrategy

For further information, please contact:

• Dr Jolly Wasambo, SEBE Senior Officer, | Directorate of Sustainable Envronment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | wasamboj@africanunion.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media inquiries:

• Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africanunion.org
• Ms. Diana Chacha, Communications and Visibility Officer | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: chacha@africanunion.org  | Whatsapp +255659112780 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia