The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has awarded the 11th Vilho Väisälä Prize to a team of researchers from Burkina Faso for their groundbreaking work on real-time airport runway surveillance. The prize was presented on October 7, 2026, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during the WMO Technical Conference (TECO-2026) and Meteorological Technology World Expo 2026. The award recognizes the team's innovative technology that enhances air safety by monitoring runway conditions in real-time, particularly during rainy periods.
The research team, led by Dr. Dieudonné SAMA, developed a system that utilizes Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology to estimate the depth of water on runways in real-time. This is achieved through a radio link installed along the runway, which measures the attenuation of the radio signal to determine the water depth. The system was tested at Ouagadougou International Airport, where it showed a strong correlation with reference measurements, with a coefficient of determination of 0.87.
The Vilho Väisälä Prize is a prestigious award given by the WMO to recognize outstanding contributions to meteorological research and development. The prize is named after Professor Vilho Väisälä, a Finnish meteorologist who made significant contributions to the field of meteorology. The award consists of a diploma, a medal, and a cash prize of $10,000. Burkina Faso is the second African country and the first sub-Saharan African country to receive this prestigious award.
The research team's work is titled "Global Reporting Format automation under rain: runway conditions monitoring in real-time using Integrated Sensing and Communication technology." The project was a collaborative effort between Dr. Dieudonné SAMA, Professor Doua Allain GNABAHOU, and engineer Ali GANAME. The team's innovation has the potential to improve air safety in rainy conditions by providing real-time information on runway conditions, reducing the need for manual inspections, and minimizing disruptions to airport operations.
The award is a significant achievement for Burkina Faso's scientific community, highlighting the country's expertise in meteorological research and innovation. Dr. Mariam TIDIGA, Director-General of the Burkina Faso National Meteorological Agency, was present at the award ceremony. The recognition also underscores the potential of Burkinabè researchers and the University of Norbert ZONGO in Koudougou to contribute to international scientific advancements.
The Vilho Väisälä Prize is a testament to the team's dedication and hard work, despite limited resources. The researchers hope that this recognition will encourage further innovation and investment in scientific research in Burkina Faso. The team's next goal is to finalize the device, prepare it for deployment in airports, and contribute to the development of safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly runway surveillance solutions.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Burkina Faso's scientific community, demonstrating the country's capacity to produce high-quality research that can compete at the international level. The award also highlights the importance of investing in scientific research and innovation to address operational needs in the aviation sector.
Key points
- The research team's innovation utilizes Integrated Sensing and Communication technology to estimate the depth of water on runways in real-time.
- Burkina Faso is the second African country and the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the Vilho Väisälä Prize.
- The award consists of a diploma, a medal, and a cash prize of $10,000.
