When Senegal set out to combat one of its worst droughts in decades, it found an unlikely yet powerful ally in Morocco. Back in 2005, as dry spells gripped large parts of the country, a bold solution emerged: artificially triggering rainfall through cloud seeding. That effort, known as the Bawaan program, marked the beginning of a unique South-South collaboration that blended scientific expertise with a shared sense of continental resilience.
Now, nearly two decades later, Senegal has officially closed that chapter. The government has decided to end the cloud seeding program, citing a shift in climate patterns—particularly the increasingly heavy rainfall seen in recent years. Aïda Diongue Niang, head of Senegal’s national meteorological agency, explained during World Meteorological Day in Dakar that the country no longer needs to induce rain when it’s already grappling with flood risks, especially in densely populated urban areas.
But back in the mid-2000s, the situation was starkly different. Morocco, already well-versed in cloud seeding techniques through years of experimentation and deployment, stepped in to help. It wasn’t just a gesture of diplomacy—it was a transfer of technology, expertise, and trust. Moroccan scientists worked side by side with their Senegalese counterparts to launch Bawaan, a program aimed at bringing much-needed rainfall to drought-stricken zones. Aircrafts were equipped, meteorologists trained, and local agencies supported, all under Morocco’s technical guidance.
The initiative stood as a pioneering moment for regional climate cooperation. At a time when much of the global South was still looking outward for help, this partnership showed what could be achieved when African nations leaned on one another. Morocco’s contribution wasn’t limited to logistics—it also brought with it a broader philosophy about sustainability, resource management, and climate adaptation tailored to African realities.
Though the program is ending, the legacy it leaves behind is tangible. The scientific know-how, the institutional relationships, and the human connections forged through years of collaboration have left Senegal better equipped to face the complex climate challenges of the future. More than just a weather project, the Bawaan program became a symbol of what climate solidarity in Africa could look like: practical, innovative, and deeply rooted in local needs.
As Senegal transitions toward new strategies for managing extreme weather and environmental risk, the story of its partnership with Morocco serves as a reminder that effective climate action doesn’t always come from global summits or billion-dollar pledges. Sometimes, it starts with two countries sharing the sky—and the will to change it.
