In a bid to improve livelihoods and resilience, climate change mitigation continues to take centre stage in the SASSCAL sub-region.
Zambia, a SASSCAL member state, has implemented various climate-focused initiatives, including the WeNet Automated Weather Stations project, the Green Hydrogen Atlas, Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment, and the SASSCAL 1.0 and 2.0 Research Programmes, among others. Other member states include Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
Reaffirming its commitment to this cause, the Zambian Government signed the SASSCAL Treaty Ratification Instrument on 4th March 2025, which brings SASSCAL a step closer to becoming an international organisation.
Since its establishment, SASSCAL which is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and its member countries has spearheaded numerous climate-related projects through science, technology, and innovation. In Zambia, SASSCAL implemented its first research portfolio, SASSCAL 1.0, with funding of Euro 3,799,905, while the current SASSCAL 2.0 is being implemented to the tune of Euro 1,411,222.
Other projects being implemented in Zambia include INTECRES project aimed at improving climate resilience in the Zambian agricultural sector (Euro 153,000.00); the H2ATLAS, which outlines Green Hydrogen Atlas potential in Africa project (Euro 80,850.00); Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment (WEMAST phase 1 & 2 (Euro 31,398.58); as well as the Automated Weather Station, WENET project, on which SASSCAL spent Euro 630,799.00.
The signing of the SASSCAL Treaty Ratification Instrument by Acting Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, MP, followed Zambia’s ratification process by H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema through Parliament last year. This process reaffirms the Zambian Government’s commitment to supporting and strengthening SASSCAL’s initiatives and advancing climate science efforts.
According to Honourable Mulenga, “the challenges of Climate Change require collaboration from all stakeholders and cooperating partners. The Zambian Government recognises the crucial role of science and technology in sustainable development, as highlighted in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) 2022–2026, under strategy 10 – To promote applied research and development in pursuit of economic transformation through industrialisation and diversification.”
He called upon the SASSCAL leadership to provide robust leadership in climate change initiatives for the benefit of Zambia and the region”.
Zambia joins Namibia in ratifying the treaty instrument. Namibia appended her signature to the SASSCAL Treaty in 2021. This places SASSCAL in a strategic position to register as an international organisation.
Meanwhile, SASSCAL Alternate Board Member for Namibia Ms. Alexandria Angala, delivered remarks on behalf of Professor Gabriel Luis Miguel, Chairperson of the SASSCAL Governing Board, who applauded Zambia’s political will and support towards SASSCAL’s activities over the years, including the nomination of officials to serve on SASSCAL Governing Board structure.
“I must also commend you for Zambia’s contribution made to date to sustain the operations of SASSCAL. This demonstrates your country’s commitment to working alongside other member states in collectively addressing the causes and impact of climate change in the region”, he said.
Professor Miguel informed the gathering that SASSCAL is swiftly making progress in the resolutions that were passed by the Council of Ministers meeting in Angola in 2021, during which a key resolution was made to expand SASSCAL to all Southern African countries.
“Expansion of SASSCAL will not only strengthen the institution but will also enhance regional collaboration and support informed decisions in our region”, he said adding that the Council has urged member states to prioritise the Ratification of the SASSCAL treaty.
SASSCAL has for the past 13 years made significant progress with financial support received from its main funding partner, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. From 2012 to 2018, SASSCAL funded the first research portfolio in Zambia, comprising 14 projects to the tune of €4 030 446.49. Through the SASSCAL funding, fifty-eight (58) students received scholarships to study towards various degrees at PhD, MSc and diploma levels in various fields including water resources management, agriculture, climate services, biodiversity, woodlands and forest management.
In an overview provided by SASSCAL Interim Executive Director, Dr Budzanani Tacheba, the meeting learnt that the organisation has evolved from a single programme institution into a well-established regional climate change center, supported by its robust governance structure constituted by the Council of Ministers, the SASSCAL Governing Board, the regional secretariat and national nodes.
The completion of the ratification process of the treaty will provide SASSCAL with a significant competitive advantage in securing the international organisation status and achieving long-term financial independence.
Dr Tacheba highlighted that SASSCAL is currently coordinating five key programmes including SASSCAL Research Programme 2.0, SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM), Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) & Africa–Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Service for Trans boundary Basins in southern Africa (We Mast). The second phase of the Green Hydrogen – Atlas of southern Africa was also concluded providing insights for more green hydrogen related projects, and the automatic weather stations (AWS) maintenance project.
The first Research Programme, SASSCAL 1.0 also sponsored the upgrading of the three-year Diploma in Meteorology at Zambia Air Services Training Institute (ZATSI) from a six-month certificate programme. In addition, the establishment of a honey production value chain by Mulungushi University for bee-keeping farmers in the Western and North-Western provinces has seen the university producing and supplying honey to retail markets.
Also, Zambian researchers received €1,393,222 to carry out research, procure laboratory equipment, field vehicles, and provide scholarships to PhD and Master students.
SASSCAL works in collaboration with a number of institutions including the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, Mulungushi University, Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Zambia Forest College and Kasamba Honey Company to implement the SASSCAL 2.0.
Hon. Mulenga, various Ambassadors from the SASSCAL member countries, Permanent Secretaries, SASSCAL Alternate Board Members for Zambia, Mr. John Lukonde Chongo and for Namibia, Ms. Alexandria Angala, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Zambian Ministry of Technology and Science, Mr. Derrick Saboi, and SASSCAL Interim Executive Director, Dr. Budzanani Tacheba attended the event. SASSCAL staff, government agencies, academic institutions, and partner organizations were also in attendance.
