Tanzania is expanding its meteorological capability across aviation, marine transport, public safety, climate research and international cooperation through the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA).
TMA is responsible for the regulation, coordination and provision of meteorological services in the country. Its work includes climate change research, the exchange of meteorological information through the Global Telecommunication System, and Tanzania’s representation in meteorological matters at both regional and international levels.
The Authority’s weather information is used across several sectors, including transport, construction, agriculture, fishing, energy, mining and tourism. It also supports early warning systems for disasters caused by severe weather.
A major focus has been on the accuracy and availability of forecasts and warnings. TMA continues to issue daily, 10-day and seasonal weather forecasts, as well as warnings for severe weather events. By March 2026, average forecast accuracy had reached 87.6%, compared with 86.0% during the same period in 2025.
The improvement follows investment in modern meteorological equipment, better systems for collecting and analysing meteorological information, and continued capacity building for weather forecasting specialists. Improved forecast accuracy has helped reduce the impact of severe weather, including deaths and loss of property.
To support more accurate forecasting, TMA has completed the installation of eight weather monitoring systems. These have been installed in Bukombe in Geita, Kahama in Shinyanga, Hanang in Manyara, Meatu in Simiyu, South Unguja in Zanzibar, Korogwe in Tanga, Ikungi in Singida and Nanyumbu in Mtwara.
The Government has also completed the installation of a modern Complete Forecasting System, which is expected to begin providing services at the end of May 2026.
Aviation Meteorological Services
Aviation remains one of the main users of TMA’s meteorological services. The Authority provides aircraft with specific weather information, referred to as Flight Folders, to support take-off and landing.
From July 2025 to March 2026, Tanzania Meteorological Authority served 49,174 aircraft movements, compared with 41,256 aircraft movements during the same period in the 2024/25 financial year. This represents an increase of 19.19%.
TMA has also completed the installation of two aviation meteorological observation systems, known as AVIMET, at Mpanda and Pemba airports.
In addition, the Authority has completed payment for two upper-air meteorological observation systems, known as Upper Air Stations, manufactured in France. The systems are expected to arrive in Tanzania in July 2026 and will be installed in the Mtwara and Kigoma regions.
The quality of aviation meteorological services was reviewed through an international audit of TMA’s implementation of the quality management system for aviation meteorological services. The audit took place from 9 to 13 March 2026. TMA met the required criteria and continues to hold ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Investment in Meteorological Infrastructure
TMA is continuing construction work on meteorological infrastructure in several areas.
In Dar es Salaam, construction of the Calibration Centre for meteorological equipment has reached 46%. Once complete, the laboratory is expected to reduce the cost of calibrating meteorological equipment outside Tanzania.
Construction of the Hombolo Agromet Station in Dodoma has reached 31%. The Eastern Zone building and Tsunami Monitoring Centre in Dar es Salaam have reached 67%, while the radar infrastructure to be installed in Dodoma Region has reached 96%.
In addition, Tanzania is also expanding meteorological services for users of the Indian Ocean and the Great Lakes. From July 2025 to March 2026, TMA issued 100,802 marine weather bulletins to marine vessels. This compares with 95,548 bulletins issued during the same period in 2024/25, an increase of 5,254 bulletins.
TMA has procured three HF Marine Radar observation systems manufactured in Spain. These will be installed in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo and Zanzibar. The systems are intended to strengthen maritime safety monitoring, improve forecast accuracy, and support the safety of cargo, vessels and passengers using the sea.
Regional and International Engagement
Tanzania has been selected to host two high-level meetings of institutions responsible for meteorology and climate change. The Fourth Meeting of Experts of the World Meteorological Organization, focused on improving weather forecasting guidelines, is scheduled to take place from 29 June to 3 July 2026. It will be the first meeting of its kind to be held on the African continent.
Tanzania will also host the Third Meeting of Experts of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, expected to take place in November 2026.
The meetings are expected to support economic activity in areas including tourism, business, transport, accommodation and service provision.
TMA has also provided specialised meteorological training to Burundi and South Sudan. The training, held from 12 to 17 April 2026, covered weather forecasting using computer models, known as Numerical Weather Prediction, severe weather forecasting, and the Quality Management System.
Through these investments, Tanzania is expanding the systems, infrastructure and technical capacity needed to deliver more accurate and timely meteorological information for aviation, marine users, public safety, climate monitoring and wider economic activity.
