Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA)

Introduction

Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) is a key component of the Africa–EU Space Partnership programme, designed to improve climate resilience and disaster preparedness across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Jointly implemented by the African Union Commission (AUC), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the project supports African institutions in accessing and applying space-based data for early warning systems related to hazardous weather and climate events.

SEWA builds on long-standing EU–Africa cooperation and contributes to saving lives and supporting the economy across the continent.

Objectives

Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with an increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, storms and droughts. Yet, many African countries still face gaps in infrastructure, data access and technical capacity to effectively use satellite and numerical weather prediction modelling data and services for early warning and decision-making.

The SEWA project addresses these challenges by co-developing space-based services and tools to strengthen Early Warning Systems of hazardous weather and climate-related events.  More specifically, the project will enhance access to Copernicus and meteorological data enabling African regional centres and national services to deliver more accurate, timely forecasts and warnings. The project also supports the development of an African Meteorological Satellite Application Facility (AMSAF), tailored to Africa’s specific forecasting needs. 

It aligns with continental priorities such as the African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather, Water and Climate services, the African Space Policy, and the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System. It also contributes to the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative.

Project activities

The project is structured around five interconnected work areas:

• Improving access to space-based data and services: Through upgraded ground infrastructure, cloud computing solutions, and enhanced data dissemination systems.
• Establishing the African Meteorological Satellite Application Facility (AMSAF): Regional centres in each African sub-region will co-develop and operate satellite-based nowcasting products tailored to national needs.
• Developing impact-based forecasting tools: Co-designed with African partners to support decision-making and early action in high-risk situations.
• Fostering institutional dialogue and coordination: Organised exchanges, technical meetings, and continental forums will help align efforts across sectors and regions.
• Building human capacity: Through training, testbeds, and fellowships delivered via a network of African training institutions, with emphasis on sustainability and gender balance.

All activities are co-designed and implemented through a close collaboration between the African and European meteorological communities following a peer-to-peer approach and in coordination with other global stakeholders active in the provision of advice on early warnings.

Expected results

By the end of the four-year implementation period, SEWA will have:

• Enabled more than 50 African countries and regional institutions to access and process meteorological satellites and model-based data Copernicus data and services as well as Cloud infrastructure
• Operationalised four regional AMSAF centres, delivering near real-time nowcasting products;
• Developed and deployed new demonstration tools for impact-based forecasting through four regional pilots;
• Delivered a coordinated training programme for hundreds of African experts that supports local expertise and long-term sustainability;
• Improved coordination between African institutions and international partners in the use of space data for early warning and disaster resilience

Implementing partners

• African Union Commission
• European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
• European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)