The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute (EMI) has officially launched the implementation phase of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), a global initiative aimed at strengthening climate adaptation and resilience through improved weather and climate data collection.

The SOFF initiative is an integral part of the UN Secretary General’s Early Warnings for All Initiative which seeks to enhance weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information services by addressing critical gaps in meteorological observations, particularly in data-sparse regions like Ethiopia.

Bridging the Data Gap for Climate Resilience
Under the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Basic Observation Network (GBON) standards, Ethiopia is required to maintain 29 surface weather stations and five upper air stations that report data at regular intervals. 

However, the country currently lags in meeting these requirements, which compromises the quality of weather and climate forecasting at global, regional, and national levels.

To address these challenges, Ethiopia has secured approximately $9.9 million in SOFF funding, with support from Norway Meteorological Institute as a peer advisor and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the implementing entity. 

Since October 2022, Ethiopia has undergone preparatory phases, including GBON gap analysis, operational planning, and diagnostic assessments.

The approved investment phase will enable EMI to upgrade 16 existing surface weather stations, establish 13 new ones, and install three additional upper-air weather stations. 

The initiative is expected to also bolster local capacity to ensure Ethiopia’s compliance with GBON requirements.

A Lifeline for Climate-Dependent Economies
Ethiopia’s economy heavily depends on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water resources, and energy. Recurrent extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, have increasingly disrupted lives and livelihoods. Over the past three years, millions of Ethiopians have faced severe drought conditions, and in 2023 alone, floods and landslides affected over 760,000 people, leaving 43 dead.

The SOFF initiative seeks to mitigate these impacts by improving Ethiopia’s early warning systems, which are critical for protecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. 

Enhanced meteorological data will support decision-making in various key sectors, including agriculture, disaster risk management, and health.
Inception workshop for stakeholders.

The launch of the investment phase was marked by an inception workshop that brought together stakeholders from EMI, regional meteorological service centres, UNDP, MET Norway, and other partners. 

The workshop sought to build a shared understanding of the project’s objectives, components, and implementation strategies.
Mr Fetene Teshome, EMI Director-General highlighted the transformative potential of the SOFF initiative, stating, “This project represents a significant step towards strengthening Ethiopia’s climate resilience. By improving data availability and forecasting capabilities, we can better prepare for and respond to the challenges posed by climate change.”

A Global Model for Collaboration
The SOFF initiative in Ethiopia will help address local challenges and also contribute to the global effort to enhance climate adaptation. 
By filling critical gaps in weather and climate data, Ethiopia’s participation in filling critical gaps in weather and climate data will help strengthen forecasting and early warning systems worldwide.

As the implementation phase progresses, the project is expected to serve as a model for other countries in leveraging international collaboration to build climate resilience and safeguard vulnerable populations.