One of the purposes of World Meteorological Organization, as stated in its Convention is to encourage training in meteorology and in related fields and to assist in coordinating the international aspects of such training.

World Meteorological Organisation has maintained an active Education and Training Programme which has the following overall objectives:-

1. To ensure the availability of adequately trained staff to meet Members´ responsibilities for providing meteorological and related information and activities.
2. To promote capacity building by assisting National Meteorological and hydrological Services in the attainment of an appropriate level of self sufficiency in meeting their training needs and developing their human resources.
3. To promote and strengthen the exchange of training knowledge, resources and expertise between Members, making particular use of relevant new and emerging technologies and techniques.

The achievement of these objectives depends on the combined effort of many players in education and training enterprises at both the international and national levels. These clearly include amongst many the establishment of Regional Meteorological Training Centers (continental-wise) and National Meteorological Training Centers (country-wise).

In recognition of the above objectives, Tanzania as a member of World Meteorological Organization, through Tanzania Meteorological Agency consolidates its training activities locally at the National Meteorological Centre in Kiowa.

The Centre now being the main source of its Basic Technical Personnel was set up following the collapse of the East African Community (EAC) in 1977. The Centre was established in 1978 at Dar-Es-Salaam International Airport and then in 1983 it was shifted to Kigoma.