The Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration marks a defining step toward Africa’s shared goal of climate resilience and accurate weather prediction. The initiative underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation in tackling extreme weather events that continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the continent.
At the core of this partnership lies a vision to strengthen data accuracy and expand access to Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven forecasting tools.
This goal took shape in Casablanca, Morocco, where the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, met with the Director General of the Directorate of General Meteorology (DGM) of Morocco, Mr. Mohammed Dhkissi, during the ongoing United Nations Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF) workshop for Peer Advisors and Implementing Entities.
Their discussion centered on how the Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration can advance real-time observation systems, early warning dissemination, and predictive accuracy through the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) framework. Both leaders agreed that a more connected, data-driven Africa is essential to reduce the economic and human toll of climate-related disasters.
Professor Anosike and Mr. Dhkissi reached a significant milestone by agreeing to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will serve as the foundation for technical and institutional cooperation.
The proposed MoU will focus on joint research, data exchange, and capacity development, particularly in areas such as instrument calibration, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Artificial Intelligence integration into weather models.
The Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration also includes a strong educational dimension. Both agencies plan to promote bilingual training for meteorological instructors in English and French, allowing for wider participation across West and North Africa. This initiative aligns with NiMet’s ongoing efforts to broaden access to climate education and strengthen the capacity of regional forecasting institutions.
In addition, the collaboration seeks to enhance Morocco’s understanding of NiMet’s Agricultural Meteorology model, which links climate data with local farming practices. Through this exchange, both nations aim to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and support community resilience in the face of erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts.
Professor Anosike noted that “regional collaboration is not just beneficial, it is necessary. Africa’s climate challenges demand shared expertise, shared data, and shared responsibility. The Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration reflects our collective resolve to build a climate-smart future.”
Morocco’s DGM, already a key contributor to data-sharing initiatives across North Africa, will extend technical support for the establishment of a regional calibration and testing facility in Abuja. This facility will ensure that meteorological instruments across West Africa meet global accuracy standards, reinforcing trust in climate data and decision-making.
Both institutions have a history of cooperation through NiMet’s annual Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum and ClimAfrica, where Morocco has consistently contributed to technical dialogue and continental climate strategies. The new partnership will deepen these engagements, integrating cost-recovery mechanisms to support long-term sustainability.
In the spirit of global cooperation, the Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration reflects a larger continental shift toward knowledge-sharing and innovation-led climate services. It demonstrates that Africa can build resilience not through isolation but through united, data-driven action.
As climate variability intensifies, the Nigeria-Morocco meteorology collaboration stands as a model of how science, technology, and diplomacy can merge to secure Africa’s skies and safeguard its people.
