Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) has kicked off the Digital Earth Africa Day event today in Nairobi, on the sidelines of the 3rd Regional Centre for Mapping and Resources Development (RCMRD) International Conference (RIC 2019) and the African Group on Earth Observations (AfriGEOSS) Symposium.

“#OpenDataCube will democratize data, it will enable us close the digital divide between East & West. With data we can uncover & exploit our resources for development & empower our youth & women to do more”
Amb. Rachel Omamo, Cabinet Secretary Defense, Kenya#RIC2019#DEAfrica pic.twitter.com/bZSnfC7ibq

— Digital Earth Africa (@DEarthAfrica) August 12, 2019

This year’s RIC is unique, in that it has been combined with the AfriGEOSS Symposium (an initiative of the African community in Group on Earth Observations framework) and the Digital Earth Africa inaugural events, with a series of planetary, technical and networking events taking place from 12-16 August in Nairobi, Kenya.

With the theme: ‘Earth Observation for Evidence-Based Decision Making’, both conferences provide a platform for policymakers, development experts, academicians, scientists, industry leaders and young professionals to brainstorm and set the pace for data-driven decision making in Africa.

@DEarthAfrica demonstrates the power of multistakeholder partnerships in building sustainable innovative solutions at scale to solve developmental and environmental challenges. The @wef is proud to be a partner and committed to the success of #DEAfrica https://t.co/Xo561UIzNd

— Anne Marie Engtoft Larsen (@AnneMarieLarse7) August 12, 2019

The objective of these fora is to facilitate the application of Earth observation and geo-spatial technologies in decision making. Both conferences focus on helping governments, developmental organisations, businesses and the academia to leverage Earth observation and geo-spatial technologies in planning and implementation of projects for sustainable impact.

See highlights of the day one on Twitter. Follow #RIC2019 and #DEAfricaDay on Twitter for realtime updates

Prof Kiema @RCMRD_ expressing committment @DEarthAfrica at #DEAfricaDay #Partnership in providing timely #EarthObservation for capacity building & decision making. Engagement with #AfriGEO #RIC2019 pic.twitter.com/YuloCWB49p

— Ken Mubea (@kenmubea) August 12, 2019

Oliver Chinganya, UNECA; Alison Chartres, Australian High Commission; Hon. William Kwasi, Deputy Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation Ghana, Hon Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, Deputy Minister of Information and our CS of Defense Hon Raychelle Omamo @DE Africa day @RCMRD_ @DEarthAfrica pic.twitter.com/aoJzcK0mKX

— Phoebe Oduor (@POduor24) August 12, 2019

It’s been an eventful day at #RIC2019 forging new partnerships and reaffirming commitments by policy and decision makers. Thank you for your support #DEAfricaDay pic.twitter.com/Dt7tWUnFgt

— Digital Earth Africa (@DEarthAfrica) August 12, 2019