Rwanda and Planet Launch Landmark National Satellite Data Programme
The Government of Rwanda and Planet Labs PBC have launched a national satellite data programme, marking the establishment of a programme of this kind in Rwanda. The initiative, managed by the Rwanda Space Agency, will provide Planet’s near-daily satellite imagery and data feeds to government agencies, public universities, selected startups, and strategic development partners supporting national development initiatives across the country.
The programme follows a pilot in Zanzibar supported by the Tony Blair Institute and the World Bank, and represents Planet’s first national programme of its kind in Africa.
Data Across Government
At the government level, the programme will put high-resolution satellite imagery to work across a range of policy and planning functions. Governmental entities will use Planet’s data to monitor agriculture and food security, track forest health and resilience, refine urban planning and zoning, and inform disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, an area of growing importance across East Africa.
The Rwanda Space Agency is positioning satellite imagery as a foundational tool for government-wide decision support, integrating Planet’s data across public institutions to improve operations in agriculture, spatial planning, urban management, and disaster response.
Building the Next Generation of Earth Observation Talent
The programme also has a strong education component. Public universities in Rwanda will use Planet imagery and data to train undergraduate students, develop new courses and degree programmes, and advance Earth observation research. Through this initiative, the programme’s partners aim to build a pipeline of skilled talent that can analyse and apply satellite data; capabilities they consider essential to 21st-century governance and development.
Supporting Startups and Inclusive Growth
Selected startups focused on core national interests and working alongside government agencies will also draw on Planet’s daily data feeds to develop new products and services. The aim is to catalyse inclusive economic development while further cementing Rwanda’s reputation as a hub of innovation for East Africa.