Nigeria: MTN chosen to broadcast climate SMS to farmers
January 30th 2025
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MTN and weather intelligence firm Tomorrow.io to develop a digital climate advisory system. Dubbed the Digital Climate Advisory Services System (DCAS), it aims to provide Nigerian farmers with localized and actionable weather advice via SMS text messages directly to their mobile phones.
In detail, DCAS will use NiMet weather data and Tomorrow.io’s technological capabilities to send early warnings and recommendations tailored to local conditions, enabling farmers to better manage droughts, floods and other extreme weather events.
For Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the overall objective of the partnership is to improve agricultural productivity and resilience by providing localized and timely weather advisories.
The deal comes as the country faces increasing climate risks, including flooding, which are affecting agriculture, a key sector of its economy. According to World Bank data, agriculture contributes 22.7% to Nigeria’s GDP and employs about 38% of the workforce.
In 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated agricultural losses of around 855,629 tonnes due to flooding. Better anticipation of weather conditions would allow farmers to reduce losses, optimize their harvests and improve the country’s food security.
The success of the project will, however, depend on the accessibility of information to farmers and their adoption of weather recommendations to adapt their practices.
Source: Agency EcoFin
Back