The African Union has launched a groundbreaking initiative — SEWA (Space for Early Warning in Africa) — to enhance access and use of meteorological data across its member states. Backed by the European Union and leading space agencies, the project is poised to transform weather forecasting and disaster preparedness across the continent.
Highlights
- SEWA will deliver satellite weather data to over 50 African countries.
- €20 million EU-funded project runs from 2025 to 2028.
- Involves infrastructure upgrades, training, and real-time forecasting tools.
- Supports the African Strategy on Meteorology and UN’s “Early Warnings for All”.
- Nairobi hosts Africa’s first MTG satellite receiving station under SEWA.
Main Story
Launched under the Africa–EU Space Partnership, the SEWA programme aims to modernize meteorological services and early warning systems across the African Union. It brings together the African Union Commission, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and EUMETSAT to co-implement the ambitious initiative.
Through SEWA, African national meteorological agencies will receive enhanced access to high-resolution weather data from Copernicus and Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites. This data will help predict extreme weather events and natural disasters with greater accuracy — especially vital for regions frequently impacted by floods, droughts, and storms.
The programme includes the rollout of upgraded ground stations, cloud platforms, and four region-specific Meteorological Satellite Application Facilities (AMSAFs). These will help deliver tailored forecasting services. In parallel, SEWA will train hundreds of African weather experts, offering technical fellowships and regional workshops with a focus on long-term sustainability and gender equity.
SEWA will support the development of impact-based forecasting tools that link meteorological data with emergency responses — such as when to evacuate communities or prepare shelters. It aligns with continental goals set by the African Strategy on Meteorology and complements global efforts like the UN’s Early Warnings for All campaign.
Kenya has already installed the continent’s first operational MTG data receiving station in Nairobi under the SEWA umbrella. More installations are expected across Africa, creating a network of real-time weather data collection points that will feed into national and regional forecasting hubs.
With SEWA in motion, Africa is not just watching the skies — it’s decoding them. The goal is clear: timely forecasts, smarter planning, and fewer lives lost to climate extremes.
