GGOSSS 2026: Hands-On Ocean Observation Training for the Gulf of Guinea

The second edition of the Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School (GGOSSS) will take place from 3 to 9 October 2026 in Cotonou, Benin, hosted by the International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications (ICMPA–UNESCO Chair) at the Université d'Abomey-Calavi. Forty-five trainees and fifteen instructors from across Africa, Europe and North America will spend seven days on instrumentation, satellite remote sensing, numerical modelling and Python-based data analysis, i

GGOSSS 2026

Aug 123 min read

OPERA Project Launches Free Online Course on Ocean Forecasting, Opening Access to a Critical Science

Developed in Africa, designed for the world, the first OPERA MOOC dedicated to ocean prediction is now open for enrollment, with applications closing June 29, 2026. COTONOU, Benin - June 1st, 2026. Oceans regulate the global climate, sustain food systems, enable maritime trade, and shape the resilience of coastal communities worldwide. Yet the expertise to access, interpret, and act on ocean forecasts remains concentrated in a handful of institutions, predominantly in the Glo

Aug 124 min read

Nearly 1,200 participants from 111 countries join OPERA’s free MOOC on the fundamentals of ocean forecasting

COTONOU, Benin - July 27, 2026. Today, 1,162 participants from 111 countries begin OPERA Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Set 1: Fundamentals of Ocean Forecasting, on the FutureLearn platform. The scale of the enrolment reflects both the enthusiasm the project has generated and its reach - regional and global alike. Of the 1,162 enrolled participants, 770 – close to two-thirds – reside in Africa, across 41 countries, while 392 come from the rest of the world. Benin, Nig

Jul 273 min read

OPERA Capacity Development Activities Officially Launched to Strengthen Ocean Forecasting Expertise in Africa

February 9, 2026 Cotonou, Benin - February 9, 2026 - The OPERA Capacity Development Activities have officially entered their operational phase, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen ocean science and ocean forecasting capacity across Africa. OPERA Capacity Development is implemented as part of Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa (OPERA) project, supported by the European Union and coordinated by Mercator Ocean International, in alignment with

OPERA

Feb 93 min read

Dr. Babette Christelle Tchonang, Physical Oceanographer : “Building Capacity Through OPERA Will Shape the Future of Ocean Forecasting in Africa.”

Africa is entering a decisive phase in its engagement with ocean science and forecasting. The OPERA project ( Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa ) has moved into its operational phase, with a strong focus on capacity development-ensuring that ocean prediction systems are not only available, but usable, understood, and sustained by African institutions. Started in 2025, OPERA is a five-year project with a budget of 10 million euros, funded by the European Union

OPERA

Feb 94 min read

Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School (GGOSSS 2025) – A Landmark First Edition at the University of Dschang, Cameroon

The University of Dschang in Cameroon, in partnership with international organizations, successfully hosted the first edition of the Gulf...