The United States launched a regional climate resilience project in Dakar focused on establishing an early warning system for extreme weather events, targeting several pilot countries in Africa. Led by NOAA in partnership with ANACIM, this program aims to improve the forecasting of extreme weather events and help participating countries better prepare for and protect their populations.
An Early Warning System for Africa
The project, potentially launched in Dakar on January 20, 2026, aims to deploy the NEWS (NOAA Early Warning System) to strengthen early warning capabilities across the continent. The goal is to shift from reacting to climate crises to proactive risk management through improved forecasting and rapid information dissemination.
- The pilot countries are Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Mozambique, chosen for their high exposure to climate hazards (floods, droughts, cyclones, and heavy rainfall).
- The national meteorological services of these countries are developing work plans to adapt the NEWS system to their needs and priorities.
Strengthening the forecasting of extreme events
The central objective of the project is to improve early warning systems based on the forecasting of extreme weather events. By improving the quality of data, models, and forecasting tools, the aim is to give authorities more time and information to act before disasters strike.
- The system covers short-term (imminent hazardous events), seasonal, and intra-seasonal forecasts to anticipate both extreme events and abnormal trends.
- A training session on these tools has already brought together some forty meteorologists from across the continent, prior to the official launch.
A multi-stakeholder project, from local to regional
Beyond meteorological services, the project envisions close collaboration with sectoral ministries (agriculture, health, environment, interior), civil protection agencies, local authorities, the media, and international partners. This approach is essential to ensure that alerts translate into concrete decisions: evacuations, flood management, support for farmers, and mobilization of emergency services.
- Regional institutions such as ACMAD and the AgrHyMet center are involved to ensure coordination across West Africa and the Sahel.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also participates in the process through its regional office for Africa.
Climate resilience, a vital issue for Senegal and the region
For Dakar and other African capitals, this project addresses a very real emergency: the intensification of climate shocks that weaken coastal cities, health systems, agriculture, and infrastructure. A more reliable and faster warning system can make the difference between a deadly disaster and a controlled event, limiting human and economic losses.
- In Senegal, the stakes are particularly high along the coast (erosion, flooding) and in urban areas prone to recurring floods.
- This type of initiative complements other resilience programs implemented in Dakar and West Africa, where local adaptation and science must be combined.
From alerts to resilience: the next step
The challenge is not simply to produce better forecasts: it is about ensuring that the alert reaches communities in time and that they have concrete means to respond. For this project to become a true driver of resilience, it must be accompanied by evacuation plans, infrastructure investments, public awareness campaigns, and dedicated adaptation funding.
- If successful, the NEWS-Africa system could serve as a model for other regions of the continent, demonstrating how a scientific and diplomatic partnership can reduce vulnerability to climate change.
- Ultimately, the true measure of the project will not be the amount of data disseminated, but the number of lives saved and communities better prepared to face future climate shocks.
