Two EU-funded projects, SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa, are addressing a major challenge in hydrological research – the lack of local observational data, especially in the Global South. While SEED-FD focuses on improving global flood and drought forecasts through enhanced satellite data integration and model improvement, TEMBO Africa builds affordable local sensor networks and climate services to improve climate resilience across Africa.
Shared Challenges – The Hydrological Data Gap in Africa
Africa is highly vulnerable to floods and droughts that threaten lives, infrastructure, and agriculture. Forecasting these extremes depends on accurate hydrological data, such as rainfall, river flow, and soil moisture. Yet in many regions, such ground-based measurements are not available or incomplete – a challenge known as the hydrological data gap.
Without reliable observations, even the best models cannot fully capture local conditions. This limits the accuracy of forecasts and early warning systems. Closing this gap provides the reliable data needed to turn forecasts into timely actions that help protect people, crops, and infrastructure. SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa approach this challenge from complementary angles.
SEED-FD – Improving Global Flood and Drought Forecasts
The SEED-FD project enhances global flood and drought forecasting by advancing the foundations of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS). It aims to improve the reliability of forecasts, especially in regions where the hydrological data gap is large, including its African use case regions in the Niger and Juba–Shebelle river basins.
SEED-FD advances the LISFLOOD hydrological model powering CEMS services like GloFAS (Global Flood Awareness System), by better representing key processes such as reservoir operations, groundwater flow, and wetland dynamics. It integrates satellite-based Earth observation data, assimilated in real time to refine the flood and drought forecasts. It also tests the benefit of local micro-stations in the Danube and Paraná basins, uses AI-based error correction, and develops event-specific forecasts for flash floods, flash droughts, and seasonal droughts.
Through these developments, SEED-FD strengthens global forecasting capabilities – providing more reliable information that helps authorities, humanitarian actors, and communities prepare and respond more effectively to extreme weather events.
TEMBO Africa – Cost-Effective Sensors to Bridge the Data Gap Locally
TEMBO Africa directly addresses the hydrological data gap by developing innovative, cost-effective sensors that measure rainfall and other key hydrological variables. These technologies make it possible to collect vital data at only a fraction of current costs.
The project’s ambition is to make these sensors financially sustainable by linking them to practical climate services. TEMBO Africa develops applications in three areas: flood early warning systems, reservoir management, and agricultural services such as germination insurance. Pilot projects in Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia demonstrate how local data can empower communities and improve decision-making.
By combining modern sensor technology with local expertise, TEMBO Africa builds long-term, self-sustaining hydrological observation networks, and based on these, develops products and services that directly benefit people and strengthen climate resilience.
Knowledge Exchange – Combining Global and Local Expertise
In October 2025, experts from SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa met to explore synergies between their projects. The first exchange focused on communication and exploitation strategies, including how to reach different user groups and share results effectively.
This was followed by a second, more technical meeting exploring areas of potential collaboration. Discussions covered modelling approaches related to reservoirs, the complementary use of satellite and local sensor data, and the challenges of improving forecasts in regions with limited observations.
Both projects discovered clear common ground – SEED-FD refining global hydrological forecasting, and TEMBO Africa enhancing local monitoring and climate services across Africa. Their dialogue highlights the value of EU-funded projects learning from each other to accelerate innovation and increase the real-world impact of research.
Who Benefits from Better Hydrological Data?
Reliable hydrological data and forecasts are essential for timely and well-informed decisions. Both SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa contribute to this goal, each with a different focus.
SEED-FD provides more reliable flood and drought forecasts, giving authorities and humanitarian organizations a stronger basis for early warning and risk management. These improvements help anticipate extreme events and reduce potential damage.
TEMBO Africa applies its innovations locally through flood early warning systems, improved reservoir management, and germination insurance linked to rainfall information. Their services help relief agencies respond rapidly, water managers plan releases and farmers determine the best time to sow and safeguard their crops.
Together, these advances benefit governments, relief agencies, businesses, and communities alike. Reliable hydrological information supports practical decisions that protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Ultimately, both projects contribute to a shared vision – transforming data scarcity into actionable knowledge that strengthens climate resilience across Africa and beyond.
Looking Ahead – Building Climate Resilience Through Shared Knowledge
The recent exchange between experts from SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa underlines the value of collaboration and open dialogue within European research. By sharing insights on modelling, sensors, and user engagement, both projects gained valuable perspectives that support their ongoing work.
With different approaches, SEED-FD and TEMBO Africa pursue the common goal of closing the hydrological data gap in Africa – enabling better-informed decisions through hydrological services that help protect lives and livelihoods.
Both projects are now entering a stage where scientific progress increasingly meets practical application. In the coming period, their challenge will be not only to validate their results, but also to engage and convince potential users of the benefits their services can bring.
Learn more about TEMBO Africa on their website, and follow SEED-FD on LinkedIn, X and Facebook for further insights and updates.