1. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS Update on Regional Retransmission Services (RARS) for Africa Presented to CGMS-43, Working Group I/5 - Data collection system, CGMS-43-EUMETSAT-WP-08

2. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS Overview RARS Africa (rationale and overall approach - reminder) Progress since last report to CGMS Way forward

3. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS RARS Africa – Reminder (see CGMS-42 EUM-WP-18 and factsheet) Rational Need expressed by WMO RA-I community Willingness to develop NWP in Africa (e.g. SWFDP) In-line with the integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Strategic pillar #2): to invest in ground systems, training and analytical tools to make best use of existing satellite and model information available from international partners Technical approach: 4 RARS stations (in Africa) Complementary to EARS coverage Operated by African entities independently from EARS

4. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS RARS Africa – Progress since last meeting (1) June 2014: First workshop with African entities in June 2014. Outcomes: ACMAD responsible for the RARS Africa implementation 4 locations for the RARS stations pre-identified (Gabon, Niger, Kenya and South Africa) ACMAD and other regional centers responsible for increaseing NWP capabilities in Africa (regional and national level) July 2014: Fund identified for the project (intra-ACP programme on Disaster Resilience – through African Development Bank (AfDB) November 2014: Concept note for the project submitted by ACMAD to African Development Bank. Assessment started. November 2014: EUMETSAT Council approved EUMETSAT support the programme (technical advise for RARS, based on EARS experience)

5. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS RARS Africa – Progress since last meeting (2) April 2015: Workshop with ACMAD and potential hosting sites Main outcomes: Confirmation of hosting site and list of site-survey activities to be implemented Agreed procurement approach (single procurement for the four stations) Satellites (NOAA, CMA and EUEMTSAT) and instruments (all sounders) to be acquired High-level architecture design (processing of L1 data at each station, telecommunication architecture, including inter- regional communication)

6. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS RARS Africa – Way forward Assessment of ACMAD proposal by the African Development Bank Obtain firm commitment of hosting sites for long term Signature of the contract between ACMAD and AfDB – before end of 2015 Tentative calendar: Initialize design study (2015-2016) Start procurement (2016) Installation in 2017 Operation in 2018

7. Agency, version?, Date 2014? [update filed in the slide master] Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS Slide: 7 Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites - CGMS  Funds and main partnerships are now identified and consolidated for RARS Africa. But key challenges remain to make RARS Africa a reality (e.g. deployment, assimilation of data in NWP, timeliness, sustainability),  CGMS members operating polar orbiting meteorological satellite are invited:  to allow access to their sounding instruments to the RARS Africa and  to support the implementation in the RARS station of relevant data software for processing L0 and L1 RARS products (training, user support) To be considered by CGMS: