The first regional total electron content (TEC) model over the entire African region (known as AfriTEC model) using empirical observations is developed and presented. Artificial neural networks were used to train TEC observations obtained from Global Positioning System receivers, both on ground and onboard the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate satellites for the African region from years 2000 to 2017. The neural network training was implemented using inputs that enabled the networks to learn diurnal variations, seasonal variations, spatial variations, and variations that are connected with the level of solar activity, for quiet geomagnetic conditions (−20 nT ≤ Dst ≤ 20 nT). The effectiveness of three solar activity indices (sunspot number, solar radio flux at 10.7-cm wavelength [F10.7], and solar ultraviolet [UV] flux at 1 AU) for the neural network trainings was tested. The F10.7 and UV were more effective, and the F10.7 was used as it gave the least errors on the validation data set used. Equatorial anomaly simulations show a reduced occurrence during the June solstice season. The distance of separation between the anomaly crests is typically in the range from about 11.5 ± 1.0°to 16.0 ± 1.0°. The separation is observed to widen as solar activity levels increase. During the December solstice, the anomaly region shifts southwards of the equinox locations; in year 2012, the trough shifted by about 1.5°and the southern crest shifted by over 2.5°. Key Points:• The first regional TEC model over the entire African region using empirical observations is developed • The model offers opportunities to conduct high spatial resolution investigations over the African region • EIA occurrence is reduced during the June solstice, and the anomaly region shifts southwards during December solstice Data used in this work include GPS data, indices for solar and geomagnetic activities, and data from ionospheric models used to comparatively verify/validate the model developed. Figure 7. RMSE variations for predictions of the AfriTEC model using the test data set under conditions of varying (a) latitudes, (b) F10.7 values, (c) local times, and (d) days of the years.Figure 11. (a) Sample TEC profile for longitude 20°E illustrating the determination of anomaly crest and trough locations. The illustrated profile is for the March equinox day of year 2012. (b) to (d) are spatial simulations of TEC from the AfriTEC model for 13:00 UT of day number 79 of years 2009, 2012, and 2014, respectively. The F10.7 values are respectively 68, 101, and 150.

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In this study, station‐specific models of ionospheric irregularities over low‐latitude African region during geomagnetically disturbed days (Dst≤−50 nT) have been developed. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)‐derived ionospheric total electron content (TEC) data during 1998–2014 were used. Ionospheric irregularities were represented with the rate of change of TEC index (ROTI). The inputs for the models are the local time, solar flux index, day number of the year, auroral electrojet, and the disturbance storm time indices, while the output is the hourly median ROTI during these given conditions. To develop the models, the ROTI index values were binned based on the input parameters and cubic B splines were then fitted to the binned data. Developed models were validated with independent data over stations within 680 km radius. The models reproduced fairly well the inhibitions and the occurrences of ionospheric irregularities during geomagnetically disturbed days. The models even emulated these patterns in the various seasons, during medium and high solar activity conditions. During validations of the models, the percentages of the number of errors (difference between the observed and the modeled ROTI) <0.05 total electron content unit, 1TECU = 1016 el m−2 (TECU)/Min at all the stations were all >70% and the root‐mean‐square error were mostly < 0.1 TECU/Min. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.76.

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Abstract. This study presents statistical quantification of the correlation between the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and the occurrence of the equatorial ionisation anomaly (EIA) over the East African sector. The data used were for quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp ≤ 3) during the period 2011-2013. The horizontal components, H , of geomagnetic fields measured by magnetometers located at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (dip lat. ∼ 1 • N), and Adigrat, Ethiopia (dip lat. ∼ 6 • N), were used to determine the EEJ using differential techniques. The total electron content (TEC) derived from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals using 19 receivers located along the 30-40 • longitude sector was used to determine the EIA strengths over the region. This was done by determining the ratio of TEC over the crest to that over the trough, denoted as the CT : TEC ratio. This technique necessitated characterisation of the morphology of the EIA over the region. We found that the trough lies slightly south of the magnetic equator (0-4 • S). This slight southward shift of the EIA trough might be due to the fact that over the East African region, the general centre of the EEJ is also shifted slightly south of the magnetic equator. For the first time over the East African sector, we determined a threshold daytime EEJ strength of ∼ 40 nT that is mostly associated with prominent EIA occurrence during a high solar activity period. The study also revealed that there is a positive correlation between daytime EEJ and EIA strengths, with a strong positive correlation occurring during the period 13:00-15:00 LT.