ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The multi-hazard, alert, zero-gap and universal (MAZU) platform, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven meteorological early warning solution developed by China, has strengthened weather forecasting capabilities in African countries facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change.
EMPOWER PORT OPERATION
At a dock in Djibouti, stevedore Mohammed Ali used to face the daily grind of working amid unpredictable weather. High temperatures, sudden gusts, or torrential rains would hit without warning, causing work disruptions, equipment damage and even endangering workers' lives.
In July 2025, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) donated MAZU-Urban to Djibouti, which became the first version of MAZU deployed in the country.
Through extensive fieldwork, Chinese experts gained an understanding of the needs of Djibouti's cities, ports and airports. They even tailored a port-specific module to address delays in issuing warnings.
With the system, extreme weather events can now be forecast in tiers up to 24 hours in advance, and alerts can be sent directly to port management staff and frontline workers.
MAZU impressed Mohamed Ismail Nour, director general of the Djibouti National Meteorological Agency, with its accurate forecasting and effectiveness in disaster prevention and reduction. "The Chinese side also helped train our staff, and they are working closely together," he said.
In July, during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, an upgraded version of MAZU was officially handed over to the Djiboutian side with the presence of Nour.
With the forecast resolution improved from 9 km to 3 km, the platform provides forecasts up to three days in advance and updates them every six hours. It also integrates phased-array radar, AI-powered forecasting models and meteorological satellites for weather monitoring and early warning.
DATA, EXPERTISE EXCHANGE
The MAZU system is helping climate-vulnerable communities in more than 40 countries strengthen their resilience, while customized versions have been deployed in several countries, including Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Asaminew Teshome, deputy director general of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), highlighted the growing partnership with the CMA and other Chinese partners to integrate cutting-edge technologies into Ethiopia's national weather systems.
During an interview with Xinhua, he identified a lack of stakeholder coordination in data exchange as a key challenge.
The MAZU system fills gaps in data exchange mechanisms by integrating different satellite products with local meteorological stations. It then generates more tailored and downscaled weather and climate information, he said.
According to the official, the CMA has finalized the configuration and installation of the MAZU system and deployed it at EMI. Following comprehensive technical training provided by visiting Chinese scientists, Ethiopian specialists are now equipped to manage the platform.
"It is the first of its kind in Africa, and our institute has already successfully secured the MAZU system. We are now starting to operationalize the MAZU system to generate nowcasting and short-range forecasts," he said, adding that they also plan to share this enhanced operational expertise and technical knowledge with other African national meteorological and hydrological service institutions.
EARLY WARNING FOR ALL
As a continent vulnerable to climate change, Africa is expected to face yet another El Nino event, the strongest since 1950, according to the African Union.
The anticipated El Nino is estimated to inflict a combined economic loss of 10 billion to 20 billion U.S. dollars on African countries, while adaptation financing needs could reach as much as 100 billion dollars.
"Early warning systems are the most cost-effective protection against climate disaster," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said while addressing the WAIC in July. "Where coverage is comprehensive, disaster deaths are at least six times lower. Yet one-third remain unprotected."
He lauded China's role in helping dozens of countries strengthen early warning systems through its platforms, satellites and AI models.
"These tools are built with other developing countries as partners, drawing on local data, so nations can issue their own warnings. This is the model the world needs, with technology transfer, joint research and local capacities helping countries protect their people," Guterres added. ■