Group on Earth Observations

The Challenge

AfriGEO was established to support GEO in downscaling activities to member states, to enhance intra and extra regional collaboration hence reducing duplication of efforts; to articulate regional and national challenges aligned to national and regional for prioritization within the Geo work program; increase the uptake of EO in decision making process whilst encouraging data sharing and open science.

The Solution

Project implementation based on priority action areas ( Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resource Management, Sustainable Urban Development, Sustainable Forest Management, Land Cover/ Land Degradation Neutrality, Health and Data and Infrastructure)
Communication and Awareness Creation through communication media, annual Symposium, workshops and Webinars
Exchange via Communities of practice
Capacity development
Data sharing through Webpage, Geoportal, GEOSS and the GEO Knowledge Hub
Periodic needs Assessment;
Partner collaborations to support implementation.

Latest Developments

Symposium and Funding

The 7th AfriGEO Symposium themed Earth Observation for Africa prosperity to be held in Swakopmund, Namibia from 18-23rd September 2023. LDN grant to support use case development (through Capacity Accelerator Fellowships) of LDN- Climate nexus in 3 countries

Our Impact

Integration of GEOGLOWS ECMWF forecast with telemetric data to improve Flood Early Warning in Malawi
Downscaling of crop monitors in 5 countries Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania
GEO LDN Capacity building and adoption of MSC and Mphil programs to be hosted by UENR and massive online courses by RCMRD and hosting of the Reginal help desk.
Database of EO SMMEs in Africa(2022)
Landscape outlook of existing challenges, data, tools and available resources to address LDN in Africa,
Collaboration with DE Africa to create knowledge packages discoverable through the GKH
Open data cube women sprint 2021;
Special edition on EO and Health Co-Hosted together with the GEO EO for Health community group focused on; Heat, air quality, infections diseases and environmental health;
Support to Implementation of the Africa Earth Observation Challenges for 2021, 2022 and 2023
Annual AfriGEO symposia:
- 2016: 1st AfriGERO symposium held in Victoria Falls, Ghana
- 2017: 2nd AfriGEO symposium held in Sunyani, Ghana
- 2018: 3rd AfriGERO symposium held in Libreville, Gabon
- 2019: Joint RCMRD International Conference and 4th AfriGEO symposium held at RCMRD
- 2021: 5th AfriGEO Symposium held Virtually
- 2022: 6th AfriGEO Symposium held in Accra, Ghana
- 2023: 7th AfriGEO symposium to be held in Swakopmund, Namibia
Industry showcase with Esri to demonstrate EO value in Agriculture, Health, Transport and Change Monitoring;
Capacity building Sessions, Hackathons and Opportunities shared with the community based on the AfriGEO priority implementation areas
National Coordination support to South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana,
Support to the GEO Secretariat
AfriGEO Portal supported by ESRI

Policy Drivers

AfriGEO activities contribute to Africa Agenda 2063 and are aligned to GEO’s priorities 4 areas: The UN Vision 2030 for sustainable development, the Paris climate agreement, Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction and Sustainable urban development