The strategic partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) continues to demonstrate tangible results through the implementation of the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme and the Strengthening for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) project. Combined, the programmes represent a practical and forward-looking expression of the AU- EU commitment to utilising space science and technology for multilateral cooperation, socio-economic development, climate resilience, sustainable development, and institutional transformation across the African continent.
EU Commission decision of 10 January 2018, is when the EU committed EUR 85 million for the implementation of the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) programme in the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Regions, of which EUR 22 million is being implemented directly by the African Union Commission to strengthen the capacity of AU Member States to better manage the risks of climate variability and change by incorporating science-based weather and climate information services into policy, decision-making, and development planning processes. Over the past five years, ClimSA has strengthened the production, availability, and application of science-based weather and climate information in Africa’s critical socio-economic development sectors, including agriculture and food security, disaster risk reduction, energy, health, and water resources.
The ClimSA programme is fostering sustainable development on the continent by improving the decision-making processes and practices through informed adaptation options to climate variability and change. Since its inception, the programme has focused on strengthening the entire climate services value chain for data access through to user engagement with robust feedback mechanisms. Its continental impact and strategic value reaffirm its relevance to the Joint AU-EU Strategy 2030, Agenda 2063, the Global Gateway, the Green Transition, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among others.
The ClimSA programme reflects the enduring depth, resilience, and strategic coherence of the AU–EU partnership. It further underscores the shared commitment to advancing climate services as a fundamental pillar to safeguarding lives, protecting livelihoods, and sustaining development gains. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to multilateralism and to addressing climate challenges through coordinated action. Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, stresses that sustained partnership and political commitment remain essential for strengthening Africa’s meteorological and climate services infrastructure and ensuring effective climate action and long-term resilience.
Beyond infrastructure and capacity building to AU member States and African meteorological institutions, the AU–EU partnership represents a formidable investment in strengthening Africa’s ability to manage climate risks, attain sustainable development, and attain the Pan-African Vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.
As AU–EU cooperation continues to evolve, programmes supporting climate services and early warning systems illustrate how strategic international partnerships can translate into concrete and mutual benefits between cooperating partners. Strengthened collaboration between the African Union and the European Union remains critical in ensuring that both continents are better equipped to anticipate, respond to, and adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.
Impact to Member State achieved through the ClimSA programme from this partnership is on:
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Data: Deployment of observation and data infrastructure across 49 AU Member States, inclusive of direct support to 6 Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) and 2 Regional Training Centres (RTCs). Beneficiaries significantly improved access to real time meteorological and climate data, enabling Member States to assess real time data, and deliver impact forecasting.
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Services and User Interface Platforms (UIP): Africa National Meteorology and Hydrological Services (NMHS) are now able to generate tailored specific sector services. Operation of climate sectoral working groups has facilitate dialogue between climate information providers and users, ensuring services respond to real decision-making local needs and has institutionalised nexuses for climate in health, climate in water, climate in agriculture, climate in DRR and climate in energy. Through strengthened RCCs and sector engagement platforms at regional and continental, informs how climate services are now supporting sectors the likes of health, water, agriculture, and tourism.
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Capacity building: More than 200 experts across Africa have been trained in climate forecasting, climate monitoring, and climate service development (RCOF). Capacity strengthening through the provision of meteorological equipment and technical support, enabling NMHSs to sustainably deliver improved climate services.
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Policy: Member States are now producing annual National State of the Climate Reports (NCOF) and some have now established and operationalised their National Frameworks for Climate Services (NFCS). Through regional cooperation institutional coordination has been strengthened, enabling countries and RCCs to embed climate services into national policy frameworks and development planning.
For further information:
Dr Jolly Wasambo | ClimSA Programme Coordinator | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | wasamboj@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ms. Diana Chacha, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: chacha@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
For media inquiries:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke I Information and Communications Directorate I African Union Commission I Tel: 0911-630631 I Email: molalett@africanunion.org
