The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is hosting a training workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of meteorological experts from East and North Africa.
The focus of the workshop is on the functions and tools of Regional WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Centres (RWCs), which play a critical role in weather observation and forecasting in these regions.
The five-day event started on Monday (October 7) was officially opened by Hon. Judge Mshibe Ally Bakari, Chair of the TMA Board.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Judge Mshibe stressed the vital role that meteorological services play in Africa’s socio-economic development, particularly in sectors like agriculture, which are sensitive to climate variability.
“Ensuring the availability of quality meteorological data is crucial. This includes investing in weather observation and monitoring infrastructure to support the United Nations' ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative,” said Hon. Judge Mshibe.
He also acknowledged Tanzania’s significant investment in weather infrastructure, highlighting the WMO's ongoing support for climate services in Africa.
Hon. Judge Mshibe specifically mentioned the $9 million US Dollars approved by the Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF) to enhance Tanzania's weather observation network, part of the Global Basic Observation Network (GBON).
Dr. Ladislaus Chang’a, Acting Director General of TMA and Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasized the importance of strengthening climate system observation and improving data availability to support early warning systems.
He noted that Tanzania, through TMA, has been leading efforts to improve the quality of weather data in the region by hosting the WMO Regional WIGOS Centre (RWC-Dar es Salaam) for Eastern Africa, which monitors data from member countries in the region.
Dr. Chang’a further explained the importance of RWCs in coordinating regional efforts to understand the state of weather observation networks and ensuring the availability of reliable data.
The effort supports the broader goal of climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness.
Abubakari Salih Babiker, a WMO representative, highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as cyclones, and the importance of regional collaboration to strengthen early warning systems, which can help minimize the loss of life and property.
The workshop brings together National Focal Points (NFPs) and technical staff from 20 WMO Regional Association I (Africa) Member States, including Tanzania, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and more.
Oman is also participating as an invited member. The training will conclude with a consultative meeting to review the operational framework for RWCs in East and North Africa.