The new installations mark a major step forward in strengthening the country's data infrastructure for climate monitoring and disaster preparedness.
The Government of Zambia has enhanced its climate resilience capabilities with the official handover of 15 automated weather stations from the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL). The new installations mark a major step forward in strengthening the country's data infrastructure for climate monitoring and disaster preparedness.
The handover ceremony, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka under the theme "Enhancing Climate Change Response Through Modern Climate Data Infrastructure and Technological Solutions in Zambia," underscored the central role of technology and data in Zambia's sustainable development agenda.
Funded through the German-supported SASSCAL WeNet Project, the initiative aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema's transformative agenda, which emphasizes climate resilience, technology integration, and data-driven governance. The Ministry of Technology and Science, represented by Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, reaffirmed the government's commitment to adopting innovative technological solutions for climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
According to SASSCAL Executive Director Prof. Nelago Ndongo, the WeNet investment totals €2.9 million across six member countries, with Zambia's contribution supporting real-time data collection for critical sectors such as agriculture, aviation, water, energy, and disaster management. The project also includes capacity-building programs to train meteorological staff in equipment installation, maintenance, and calibration -- ensuring long-term operational sustainability.
The Zambian government acknowledged a €303,000 contribution from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, recognizing the impact of strong international partnerships in addressing climate challenges.
Dr. Habeenzu emphasized that the upgraded infrastructure will directly advance the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) on environmental sustainability by improving early warning systems, agricultural planning, and evidence-based policymaking. He called on national agencies, including the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Zambia Meteorological Department, to ensure the consistent use and maintenance of the new weather stations.