EUMETSAT and the African Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on Earth observation as well as the implementing arrangement for Monitoring of Environment and Security in Africa (MESA), funded by the European Development Fund (EDF).

05 July 2013

Over the last 20 years, EUMETSAT has developed its cooperation with Africa on access and applications of its satellite data, in particular in major capacity building projects funded by the EDF, like PUMA (Preparation for the use of MSG in Africa) and AMESD (African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development). EUMETSAT has deployed about 400 low cost data receiving stations over the entire African continent, through which African users can access in real time the full EUMETSAT data stream and environmental information and forecasts from other partners.

The new Memorandum of Understanding on Earth observation establishes a political mechanism for ensuring that future cooperation will continue to benefit all African Union member states.

A first concrete realisation is the EUMETSAT contribution to the MESA capacity building project established between the African Union and the European Union and funded by the European Development Fund, as a follow-up to the PUMA and AMESD projects. Capitalising on previous investments, the project’s focus is to strengthen the capacity to use Earth observation data in Africa, with emphasis on climate and environment applications.