Israel has launched what is described as a mobile climate laboratory in Kenya, in an effort to close Africa’s long-standing gaps in climate data and improve environmental decision-making across the continent.
The facility, currently operating at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) site in Kapiti, Machakos County, is run by the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of Israel’s leading scientific institutions.
According to researchers involved in the project, the mobile lab is designed to collect high-precision, ground-based climate data that has been largely missing across many African regions. This data is expected to improve climate models and strengthen policy responses to environmental challenges.
Speaking during a visit to the site, Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, said Africa has faced a major shortage of reliable climate information, limiting effective planning and response strategies.
“There is a huge gap in climate data and climate knowledge in Africa,” he said. “This laboratory helps close that gap and enables better policy decisions based on accurate science.”
The mobile unit is equipped with more than 30 scientific instruments capable of measuring carbon exchange, solar radiation, water usage, and vegetation changes. Scientists say these measurements are critical for understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change.
Because much of Africa relies heavily on satellite data with limited ground verification, researchers say the new system will help improve the accuracy of global and regional climate models.
Project scientist Eyal Rotenberg explained that weak data collection has been a major challenge in climate modelling across the continent.
“Models are not well calibrated because there has been very little measurement. This initiative will provide the data needed to validate and improve them,” he said.
The project, hosted in collaboration with ILRI, is also expected to support agricultural and environmental research. ILRI Director General Appolinaire Djikeng said the facility will help generate evidence needed for sustainable food systems and better land management.
The mobile lab is designed to move across different ecosystems, allowing researchers to collect data from varied environments. After its initial phase in Kenya, it is expected to expand to other locations, including Mount Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa over the next three years.
Experts say Africa remains one of the most under-monitored regions globally despite being highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as drought, flooding, and food insecurity.
While the initiative reflects growing international cooperation in climate science, analysts note that long-term success will depend on sustained investment and stronger local research capacity across African institutions.
