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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides $5m grant for Weather and Climate Data offering to farmers in Africa

TomorrowNow, a climate-tech non-profit dedicated to providing African farmers with enhanced access to localized weather data, announced it has received additional $5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand its anchor program, Osiris and unlock the transformative potential of next-generation weather and climate data services across Africa.

The company had, in 2021, received a $2 million grant from the Gates Foundation (together with their partners) to assist a million African farmers in adapting to climate change. 

With this additional funding, TomorrowNow’s goal is to impact 20 million smallholder farmers by delivering value-added weather intelligence services throughout the African continent. The initiative involves leveraging enhanced historical datasets, observations, and short-term and seasonal weather forecasts from global technology companies. Collaborating closely with local governments, private/NGO partners, and research organizations, TomorrowNow aims to revolutionize farming in the region.

The initiative’s key objectives include democratizing access to next-generation weather and climate information for frontline organizations serving farmers. This involves working with scientists to innovate in areas such as crop simulation for climate-resilient seed breeding and promoting regenerative farming practices. By enabling access to weather intelligence for frontline organizations and research institutions, TomorrowNow envisions that local farming communities in Africa can contribute to sustainable next-generation food systems. The ultimate goal is to improve crop yields, ensure a more reliable future, and foster transformative philanthropy in the region.