We had a wonderful day yesterday at the EGU with NetCDA. We were pleasantly surprised by the great interest in climate-related capacity development activities in Africa. Throughout the day, we engaged in enriching discussions with many inspiring colleagues from a wide range of European and African countries. The exchange of ideas and perspectives highlighted the growing recognition of the importance of strengthening research and education infrastructures on the African continent.

A highlight was certainly the presentation by Prof. Cheikh Mbow (Director General of the Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE), Senegal), who spoke very insightfully about the difficulties of conducting scientific research in Africa due to persistent gaps in reliable and accessible data. His talk served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to improve data availability and to support long-term monitoring systems as a foundation for effective climate action.

Equally impressive was the presentation by Prof. Emmanuel Ramde (Executive Director of WASCAL), who introduced the WASCAL graduate school program. His talk emphasized the critical role of advanced academic training and South-South cooperation in fostering a new generation of climate researchers and practitioners equipped to tackle regional challenges.

The photo shows the persistent core of our discussion partners who stayed with us until our final activities in the evening (ended at 8:00 p.m.). Their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the day were truly inspiring.

We are pleased to have found many new colleagues with a similarly strong interest in capacity development in Africa. The numerous connections we made and the rich dialogue we shared make us optimistic about the future. We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring possibilities for joint projects and long-term collaboration.