Reflections from the Climate Change & Futures in Africa Conference 2025

By Kenn Ramah

From 29th to 31st October 2025, climate and disaster risk management stakeholders, mainly from African academia, gathered in Windhoek, Namibia for the Climate Change & Futures in Africa Conference Series 2025 under the theme “Risk in Time and Space.” 

The event was officially opened by the Right Honourable Dr Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, whose keynote address emphasised Africa’s responsibility and opportunity to lead with local knowledge, evidence, and innovation in confronting climate challenges that are no longer abstract projections but everyday realities. Participants included:

• Government leaders from Namibia, South Africa, and other SADC nations
• Researchers and academic representatives from universities across Africa
• Disaster management experts and early warning practitioners
• Youth climate advocates and community representatives.

Our Contribution: Drones, Data, and AI for Climate and Disaster Resilience

Charles from Namibia Flying Labs and Sonja and Kenn from WeRobotics delivered a presentation on the Drones, Data and AI Solutions Hub, a collaborative initiative designed to support locally led and data-driven decision-making for disaster and climate resilience. 

The session fit naturally into a conference deeply invested in innovation and knowledge-sharing, and it sparked conversations around regional collaboration, capacity building, and leveraging local expertise to strengthen preparedness.

Our Key Learnings and Takeaways

Throughout the three days, several messages echoed across rooms, panels, and informal conversations:

1. Collaboration is no longer optional; it is the backbone of climate resilience. Researchers, governments, and communities emphasised that siloed approaches are slowing progress. Regional collaboration across SADC and the rest of the continent is essential for sharing early warning data, response strategies, and emerging technologies.

2. Local knowledge remains one of Africa’s greatest assets. The sessions highlighted that resilience must be built from the ground up, guided by people who understand their environments such as local, indigenous, and marginalized communities.

3. Technology must serve people, not the other way around. Technology is a tool for change, not the change itself. Whether through drones, AI, or geospatial tools, the conversation centred on accessibility, ethics, and ensuring that climate technologies reach and empower the most vulnerable communities.

4. Youth and women are driving climate action in powerful ways. Across presentations on education, governance, community resilience, and food systems, researchers and practitioners made it clear that a sustainable climate future belongs to those who are already shaping it.

5. Africa needs robust, inclusive governance systems for climate and disaster management. Plenary discussions reinforced the need for coordinated, long-term policies that integrate science, technology, and local realities. Governance determines whether climate warnings translate into climate action.

Looking Forward

From this event in Windhoek, one thing was clear: while Africa’s climate future is challenging, the conference showcased a continent rich in ideas, solutions, and committed people. It reminded us that resilience is not built in isolation but through relationships, shared knowledge, and continuous collaboration.

The Drones, Data & AI Solutions Hub for Disaster and Climate Resilience represents a unique opportunity to address the pressing challenges of climate-related hazards. We are seeking funders, organizational partners, advocates, and contributors to collaborate with us to realize this vision. Explore our concept note to learn more about the Solutions Hub, and contact us to have a conversation about how we can collaborate.