Assessing Sustainability and Effectiveness of Climate Information Services in Africa

Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate variability and change due to its
high exposure to climate shocks and stresses (e.g., droughts) and relatively low adaptive
capacities (IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, 2014). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) rain-fed
agriculture, which is vital for a large percentage of the rural population and contributes
significantly to GDP, is particularly vulnerable. Providing decision-makers with timely,
accurate information on climate and weather variations can help inform decisions that
enhance agricultural production and avoid harvest loss, thereby improving food security,
lifting agricultural incomes, and increasing the resilience of farmers to future shocks and
stresses.