Online Reporter
Sharon Kavhu-Da Fonseca in CAIRO, Egypt
AFRICA is steadily strengthening its capacity in earth observation (EO) and space-based technologies advancements that are opening new opportunities for scientific research, economic growth and industrial innovation, Southern African Social Science Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) director of science and technology Dr Budzanani Tacheba has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the GMES & Africa Forum 2 in Cairo, Dr Tacheba reflected on eight years of SASSCAL’s progress through its Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Service for Transboundary River Basins in Southern Africa (WeMAST) and highlighted the key role of regional collaborations in advancing Africa’s EO capabilities.
“Over the last eight years, a lot of experiences have been built across the continent. There is now a foundation of knowledge, skills and systems that can be scaled up to create meaningful opportunities,” he said.
Capacity building
Dr Tacheba emphasised that, while Africa has made progress, the continent still has room to grow in terms of technical capacity and infrastructure.
Programmes like GMES & Africa, he said, have been instrumental in providing relevant data, fostering collaborations and creating value for local communities.
He pointed to initiatives through SASSCAL’s WeMAST, where EO linkages are being strengthened to monitor wetlands and support environmental management.
These regional networks, he said, are critical for sharing knowledge, harmonising approaches and contributing to broader continental objectives.
“Our continental coordination is growing, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to link with partners like the European Commission to expand these networks,” he said.
Dr Tacheba highlighted the importance of advanced sensors and improved data collection in driving actionable insights for the continent.
“We now have more sensors generating information than ever before, and this is adding value to ground-level data. This is the most exciting part — turning data into actionable knowledge that benefits communities and decision-makers alike.”
Africa, he added, must continue to invest in system development, consortium-building and partnerships that allow local scientists and engineers to lead initiatives.
Beyond research, Dr Tacheba noted the potential for EO technologies to create industrial opportunities and jobs for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
“There are enormous opportunities for Africans to engage with space and EO technologies to innovate, develop industrial solutions and create new enterprises. We are encouraging our young entrepreneurs to explore these possibilities and contribute to a growing African space economy,” he said.
Dr Tacheba’s reflections underscored the message of the GMES & Africa Forum 2: Africa is ready to transition from being a data consumer to an active player in the global EO and space sector.
With regional collaboration, investment in capacity and the development of industrial applications, the continent has the tools to create tangible benefits for its people while shaping a sustainable African space economy.
“The story of Africa in EO and space technology is just beginning, and the opportunities are enormous. The future belongs to those who are ready to seize it.”
The forum gathered policymakers, scientists, private sector actors and development partners from across Africa, providing a platform to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and define the roadmap for the continent’s growing EO capabilities.
