LILONGWE, MALAWI – Malawi is embarking on a strategic new approach to combat the escalating threat of climate change, integrating advanced technology with deep-rooted community action. With recurring climate shocks projected to slash the nation’s GDP by up to 16% by 2050, the country is fast-tracking efforts to expand early warning systems and operationalize a new AI-based weather prediction system.
The convergence of these initiatives was the focus of the recent Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Malawi Partner Coordination and Stocktaking Meeting. According to Yusuf Mkungula, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, building effective partnerships is paramount to delivering sustainable climate services to every citizen.
The two-day gathering, a collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Bank, underscored a pivotal moment in Malawi’s climate governance. The country is currently reviewing its Meteorological Bill, developing a new Climate Policy, and finalizing the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) Strategic Plan for 2025–2030. These policy shifts, coupled with the operationalization of the Disaster Risk Management Act, are aligned with Malawi’s ambitious goal of achieving “Early Warnings for All” by 2027.
Technological innovation is at the forefront of this strategy. A pilot AI-based Weather Prediction (AI-WP) system, funded through CREWS, is being deployed to enhance the accuracy and speed of forecasts. This initiative is designed to help the nation leapfrog into climate-smart solutions by combining advanced computing with local expertise. Complementing this, digital tools like the bilingual Zanyengo weather app, community radio broadcasts, and SMS alerts are broadening the reach of critical climate information.
Despite this progress, significant infrastructure gaps remain. DCCMS Director Lucy Mtilatila noted that only 28 of the country’s 100 weather stations are fully operational, requiring an estimated $63 million to fully implement the National Framework for Water and Climate Services. However, a preliminary cost-benefit analysis provides a powerful argument for this investment, suggesting that every dollar spent on meteorological services could generate up to $14 in benefits.
The true strength of Malawi’s approach lies in its emphasis on community-led resilience. Field visits to districts like Mzuzu and Zomba have showcased the practical impact of CREWS investments. Local Disaster Risk Management Committees (DRMCs) are implementing contingency plans, risk maps, and search-and-rescue training. Equipped with essential supplies, these committees have already contributed to a reduction in flood-related deaths. Block leaders utilize platforms like WhatsApp to disseminate last-mile warnings, ensuring that even the most remote households receive timely alerts.
As one Mzuzu committee member, Prince Ngulebe, explained, “When the city council sends warnings, we receive them on WhatsApp and spread them to every household. Everyone knows who to call and where to go.”
This blend of technological advancement and grassroots empowerment is setting a new precedent. By investing in both people and technology, Malawi is crafting a climate resilience strategy that is not only robust at the national level but also deeply rooted in the lived realities of its most vulnerable communities.