Wind speed prediction in some major cities in Africa using Linear Regression and Random Forest algorithms
Keywords:
Energy Generation, Atmospheric Parameters, Statistical Models, Machine Learning Algorithms, African StationsAbstract
Globally, wind energy if properly harnessed, could serve as a source of energy generation in Africa. This study compared the performance of two Machine Learning (ML) algorithms (Linear regression and Random Forest) in predicting wind speed in five major cities in Africa (Yaoundé, Pretoria, Nairobi, Cairo and Abuja). Wind data were collected between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, using the Solar Radiation Data Archive. The data preprocessing was carried out with 80% of the data used for training and 20% for validation. The performance of these ML algorithms was evaluated using Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The result shows that Nairobi (3.814795 m/s) closely followed by Cairo (3.606453 m/s) has the highest mean wind speed while Yaoundé (1.090512 m/s) has the lowest. Based on the performance metrics used, the two Machine Learning algorithms were competitive. Still, the Linear Regression (LR) algorithm outperformed the Random Forest Algorithm in predicting wind speed in all the selected major African cities. In Yaoundé (RMSE = 0.3892, MAE= 0.3001, MAPE =0.5030), Pretoria (RMSE=1.2339, MAE=0.9480, MAPE=0.7450) Nairobi (RMSE= 0.4223, MAE =0.6499, MAPE =0.1872), Nairobi (RMSE=0.6499, MAE=0.5171, MAPE =0.1872), Cairo (RMSE =1.0909, MAE =0.8544, MAPE =0.3541) and Abuja (RMSE = 0.70245, MAE =0.5441, MAPE= 0.4515) the Linear regression algorithms was found to outperformed Random Forest Regression. Therefore, the Linear regression algorithm is more reliable in predicting wind speed compared with the Random Forest regression.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2024 Timothy Kayode Samson, Francis Olatunbosun Aweda

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Similar Articles
- Benson Ade Eniola Afere, On the cluster of the families of hybrid polynomial kernels in kernel density estimation , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2025
- Raja Aqib Shamim, Majid Khan Majahar Ali, Optimizing discrete dutch auctions with time considerations: a strategic approach for lognormal valuation distributions , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2025
- Xiaojie Zhou, Majid Khan Majahar Ali, Farah Aini Abdullah, Lili Wu, Ying Tian, Tao Li, Kaihui Li, Air quality prediction enhanced by a CNN-LSTM-Attention model optimized with an advanced dung beetle algorithm , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 7, Issue 3, August 2025
- Edikan E. Akpanibah, Udeme Ini, Portfolio Strategy for an Investor with Logarithm Utility and Stochastic Interest Rate under Constant Elasticity of Variance Model , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 2, Issue 3, August 2020
- E. Udensi, R. B. Salau, S. O. Salihu, M. M. Ndamitso, M. T. Bisiriyu, Chemometric authentication of branded and crude spices using integrated GC–MS fingerprints and elemental profiling , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 8, Issue 3, August 2026
- A. E. Ibor, E. B. Edim, A. A. Ojugo, Secure Health Information System with Blockchain Technology , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 5, Issue 2, May 2023
- Oluwole Adigun, Lasisi Egibunu Umoru, Temidayo Nancy Iwatan, Effects of different electrolytes on the structure and yield ofgraphene oxide produced via electrochemical exfoliation , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 5, Issue 4, November 2023
- Josephine E. Ochigbo, Joel N. Ndam, Wipuni U. Sirisena, Optimal control with the effects of ivermectin and live stock availability on malaria transmission , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 6, Issue 3, August 2024
- Enobong R. Essien, Violette N. Atasie, Ngozi A. Adeleye, Luqman A. Adams, Synthesis and in vitro bioactivity of sodium metasilicate-derived silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 6, Issue 3, August 2024
- Paul Tawo Bukie, Idongesit E. Eteng, Eyo E. Essien, Development of internet of things-based petroleum pipeline topology leak monitoring and detection system using sensors , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 7, Issue 4, November 2025
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- F. O. Aweda, J. A. Akinpelu, T. K. Samson, M. Sanni, B. S. Olatinwo, Modeling and Forecasting Selected Meteorological Parameters for the Environmental Awareness in Sub-Sahel West Africa Stations , Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences: Volume 4, Issue 3, August 2022

