This article attempts to describe the reasons behind the decision. A sustainable system is one which the recipient organisation strives to use and maintain locally, because of the system's perceived value in empowering that organisation.
Appropriate technology is consistent with existing systems and with locally available staff.
As a medium for the reception of meteorological observational data and NWP products, the MDD system offered an opportune solution to the problem of the lack of a reliable telecommunications infrastructure within Africa. Many projects under the VCP were attempting to address the problems with African telecommunications, so the resulting collaboration of The Met. Office and NRI has been mutually beneficial. The recipients were the national meteorological services in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The MDDs were accepted rapidly, primarily because the system is easy to understand and to use.