Project Umoya
AI for Weather Prediction in Africa
Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, yet it remains underserved by existing weather prediction models. Current global AI for Weather Prediction (AIWP) models are not optimized for the continent’s diverse climates, leaving critical sectors like agriculture, energy, logistics, and disaster preparedness exposed to inaccurate forecasts.
Project Umoya (isiZulu for wind) is an initiative by Ishango that aims to close this gap. We are developing the first open-source AIWP model tailored for Africa, fine-tuned with local datasets to deliver forecasts that are more accurate, reliable, and actionable.
Our goal: an AIWP model that empowers African communities, industries, and governments with the climate intelligence they need to adapt and thrive. By enabling better decisions in farming, infrastructure planning, and disaster response, Project Umoya has the potential to protect lives, strengthen economies, and build resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.
Milestones
01
Research (completed)
In partnership with AIMS South Africa, we supervised three MSc research projects testing the technical foundations of this work—exploring model fine-tuning, ensemble approaches, and data augmentation using deep learning.
02
Proof of Concept (in progress)
Fine-tuning state-of-the-art AI models with localized datasets and exploring potential use cases.
03
Deployment (next phase)
Building and deploying Africa’s first open-source AI Weather Prediction (AIWP) model and piloting real-world applications.
Become a Partner
We are now seeking funders, collaborators, and use case partners to help us build on this momentum and bring the first Africa-focused AIWP model to life.
For funders
Your support will accelerate the development and deployment of a solution with continent-wide impact, advancing climate resilience and sustainable development in Africa while enabling stronger, more reliable supply chains for global markets.
For industry and institutional partners
Join us in piloting high-value use cases in agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, disaster response, and beyond— showcasing how AI-powered climate intelligence can drive innovation, resilience and transformation across Africa.
Interested in becoming a partner?
Together, we can revolutionize weather prediction in Africa and unlock a future where communities, industries, and ecosystems are better equipped to adapt to climate change.
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