With infrastructure central to its goals of poverty eradication and Regional Integration, SADC developed the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan as a strategic framework guiding infrastructure development in Southern Africa. The Meteorology Sector Plan component of the Master Plan aims to ensure that meteorological services play an integrated and effective role in socioeconomic development of the SADC region.
The Sector Plan analyses the current situation in SADC regarding observation networks, telecommunications, data management, and weather and climate prediction, offering projections for the future and an assessment of gaps between the current situation and infrastructure goals for 2027. It then sets out a strategic framework for improvements to meteorology infrastructure, as well as an implementation strategy that prioritises projects, resource requirements, and methods of implementation. This Sector Plan responds to a need for a harmonised regional policy for meteorological infrastructure that strengthens national capacity and ensures compliance with international obligations.