Kenya has launched a landmark training curriculum aimed at strengthening private sector preparedness and resilience in response to increasing climate risks, marking a significant step toward integrating weather and climate intelligence into national economic decision-making.
The curriculum on Weather and Climate Information Services for Private Sector Stakeholders was officially launched on Tuesday at the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR) Auditorium in Nairobi. IMTR, a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) designated Regional Training Centre, developed the programme in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA).
The initiative follows a multi-stakeholder process initiated in November 2025, involving Mercy Corps AgriFin, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), academic institutions, and private sector representatives.
The curriculum seeks to strengthen the application of weather and climate information in economic planning, risk management, and business continuity. Increasing frequency of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, continues to disrupt supply chains, production systems, and key sectors of the economy.
Speaking during the launch, Edward Maina Muriuki, Ag. Director General of KMSA and Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization, stated that climate information has become a strategic national asset.
“Climate and weather information is no longer a peripheral scientific service. It is a strategic national asset,” Muriuki said. “Businesses that understand and apply climate risk information are better positioned to minimize losses, protect assets, ensure continuity, and identify new opportunities within an increasingly volatile environment.”
The programme targets five climate-sensitive sectors central to Kenya’s economy, including agriculture, finance and insurance, energy, ICT, transport, and agribusiness. These sectors are highly exposed to disruptions arising from floods, droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures.
Through the training, professionals will be equipped with skills to interpret forecasts and climate data provided by KMSA and translate them into localized, actionable advisories to support decision-making at enterprise and community levels.
The curriculum is positioned as a model for Public-Private Engagement in climate services, reflecting increasing recognition that effective climate resilience requires structured collaboration between government institutions and the private sector.
Bernard Chanzu, Director of the Meteorological Training and Research Directorate at IMTR, stated that resilience building requires both access to data and institutional capacity to convert information into practical action.
“This curriculum demonstrates that strengthening climate services is not only about improving access to climate data, but also about building the leadership and institutional capacity needed to transform information into meaningful action,” Chanzu said.
The launch was presided over by Dr. Ishaam Abader of the World Meteorological Organization Regional Coordination Office, who commended Kenya’s alignment with the WMO Guidelines for Public-Private Engagement (2024 edition).
Dr. Abader noted that private sector participation contributes financial resources, technical expertise, and innovation that complement public sector efforts.
“The private sector is a significant source of financial support, technical knowledge, and innovative solutions that might otherwise be difficult for governments to explore alone,” he said. “This initiative reflects a people-first approach that ensures climate information is not only generated but effectively applied to reduce societal risk.”
The curriculum was developed through an extensive co-creation process involving public regulators, academia including the University of Nairobi, and private sector stakeholders to ensure practical relevance and applicability.
Mercy Corps AgriFin Programme Director Sieka Gatabaki stated that the initiative has potential for regional scale-up beyond Kenya.
“While public institutions play a central role in generating climate data, private sector actors remain essential in supporting localization, usability, and last-mile delivery for farming communities,” Gatabaki said. “This initiative provides a foundation for scalable digital climate solutions that can improve productivity and resilience across Africa.”
The launch brought together more than 70 participants, including government officials, climate investors, agritech innovators, and development partners. KMSA and IMTR have called on stakeholders to support integration of the curriculum into institutional training frameworks to strengthen Kenya’s climate resilience agenda.
