Understanding the Emerging 2026 Super El Niño and Its Implications for Africa
Africa’s Regional Climate Centres are convening a webinar to discuss the emerging 2026 El Niño conditions and what this could mean for rainfall, food security, water resources, health, energy, and disaster risk across the continent.
The webinar will provide the latest seasonal forecasts, regional outlooks, and preparedness guidance from Africa’s Regional Climate Centres, including ACMAD, ICPAC, AGRHYMET, CAPC-AC, SADC-CSC, and the North Africa RCC Node, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organisation.
Key Discussion Areas
- The latest ENSO forecasts and El Niño development
- Regional rainfall and temperature outlooks
- Flood and drought risks across Africa
- Food security and agricultural implications
- Early Warning and Early Action pathways
- Preparedness planning and anticipatory action
- Sectoral impacts on water, health, energy, and disaster risk reduction
Africa remains highly vulnerable to climate variability and extreme weather events. Millions of people across the continent depend on seasonal rainfall for food production, livelihoods, water access, and economic stability. Early warning information, when translated into timely action, can help save lives, reduce losses, and strengthen resilience.
Panelists
Eunice Koech
Climate Modeling Specialist ICPACdiscussant
Eunice Koech is a climate modeling assistant at IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her background is in Meteorology, and she has a Master of Science degree in Meteorology from the University of Nairobi. She has 8 years of experience in forecasting, and her current focus is on seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasting for the Eastern Africa region. She is keen on downscaling of climate products for the agriculture sector, thus supports in strengthening the Food Security and Nutrition Working Group (FSNWG), which is a regional User Interface Platform for the agriculture sector in Eastern Africa. She is also passionate about communicating climate information to users who have no background in climate science. Her interests and professional goals include being a bridge between the climate providers and users to ensure that climate information uptake and use are increased in the region.
Exhibitors
TINNI HALIDOU Seydou
Meteorologist and Climate Services Expert AGRHYMETdiscussant
Dr Tinni Halidou Seydou is a meteorologist and climate services expert at the AGRHYMET Regional Centre, serving as Head of the Division of Regional Hydrometeorological and Climate Watch under the Department of Climate, Water and Meteorology (DCEM). He has extensive experience supporting national and regional institutions across Africa in climate, meteorology, hydrology, and early warning systems. His expertise includes Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), climate monitoring and seasonal forecasting, agroclimatology, hydrometeorological early warning systems, climate risk management and communication, and the co-production of climate services for decision-making in West Africa and the Sahel. He has contributed to regional climate outlooks, agro-hydrological bulletins, and impact-based forecasting products through platforms such as PRESASS and PRESAGG. Dr Seydou also supports regional training, technical supervision, and innovative climate information systems for vulnerable communities, while collaborating with organisations including the World Meteorological Organisation, ECOWAS, African Union, and the African Development Bank.
Sunshine M. Gamedze
Seasonal and Climate Forecaster SADCdiscussant
Sunshine M. Gamedze is a graduate of the University of the Free State and currently serves as a Seasonal and Climate Forecaster at the SADC Climate Services Centre, the Regional Climate Centre (RCC) for the Southern African region under the SADC Secretariat. Before joining the SADC Secretariat, he worked with the Swaziland Meteorological Services. He later joined the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) from October 2021 to March 2023 before returning to the SADC Secretariat in his current role. With nearly 20 years of experience in climate forecasting, Mr Gamedze has been involved in climate forecasting processes since 2007 and has facilitated the regional RCOF process since 2012. He is also a lead climatologist in the development of the Climate Forecasting Toolbox (CFT).
Pierre H. Kamsu Tamo
Meteorologist and climate scientist ACMADdiscussant
Dr Pierre H. Kamsu Tamo is a meteorologist and climate scientist with over 15 years of experience in climate variability, seasonal forecasting, atmospheric modeling, and climate predictability in Africa. He serves as Senior Thematic Expert and Team Lead of the ClimSA Project at the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), where he leads climate monitoring, forecasting, and climate services initiatives across the continent. He also supports the coordination of the African Continental Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF), strengthening regional forecasting, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. Dr Kamsu Tamo has worked with institutions including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA/CPC), Météo-France, and the University of Paris 6/LOCEAN, and has contributed extensively to climate research, early warning systems, and regional climate resilience initiatives.