AfriGEO

Highlights from Day Two of the 8th AfriGEO Symposium

Day 2 of the AfriGEO Symposium marked a significant milestone: It coincided with the official opening of the RCMRD International Conference (RIC 2024), held concurrently at the RCMRD premises in Nairobi, Kenya. This convergence provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in discussions that intersected both events, further enriching the dialogue on Earth Observation (EO) and its applications across Africa.

Read the summary of Day 1 of the 8th AfriGEO Symposium

The day commenced with a keynote address and a plenary session focused on the theme "Our Home: Policy Formulation and Science Policy Linkages." Moderated by Lorien Innes from Esri Inc., the session explored the critical connection between scientific research and policy-making, emphasising the need for effective communication between scientists and policymakers to ensure that technical data is translated into actionable policies that align with national priorities and sustainable development goals.

Dr Thandikile Mbvundula from the Malawi Space Agency Task Force and Vice President-elect of the African Space Council led the discussion by highlighting the challenges and opportunities in bridging the gap between science and policy. She stressed the importance of presenting scientific findings in a manner that is accessible to policymakers, enabling them to comprehend the relevance of these policies to their nations' broader developmental agendas.

Dr Yamamoto Kohei from PASCO, Japan, provided insights into the Advanced Land Observing Satellites (ALOS 2 and 4), which offer Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data at resolutions suitable for various thematic applications. Furthermore, his presentation underscored the role of advanced EO technologies in supporting informed decision-making across multiple sectors.

The plenary session that followed featured a diverse panel of experts, including Fortunate Muyambi from the EAC-Regional Space Science and Technology, Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst at Space in Africa, Andrew Murdock from GEO, Switzerland, Luciano Lupedia from Angola's National Space Programme, Peter Minang from CIFOR-ICRAF, and Dr. Kenneth Mubea from Digital Earth Africa. Each panellist shared their perspectives on the critical nature of science-policy linkages, the processes involved, and the importance of these connections for effective Earth management. Similarly, they also discussed existing policies to understand and manage transboundary resources within their geographic scope.

The session transitioned seamlessly into the official opening of the RCMRD International Conference (RIC 2024), marking the commencement of the main events that would shape the week’s discussions. AfriGEO delegates, alongside a broader audience, participated in the ceremony, which celebrated the convergence of minds and expertise in EO from across the continent and beyond. Furthermore, the opening ceremony set a compelling tone for RIC 2024, with speeches and presentations that highlighted the critical role of EO in advancing Africa's sustainable development and addressing pressing environmental challenges. A key highlight of the ceremony was the address by Hon Rachel Nyamai, Member of Parliament for Kitui South Constituency, who represented the Rt Hon Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Moses M. Wetang'ula, EGH, MP, as the Chief Guest.

In her address, Hon. Nyamai emphasised the transformative potential of EO in empowering African nations to make informed decisions on land use, resource management, and environmental conservation. Furthermore, she underscored the necessity of leveraging EO technologies to drive data-driven policies that support economic growth, food security, and climate resilience. In addition, Hon Nyamai's remarks resonated with the audience, setting an inspiring tone for the conference. She officially declared the RCMRD International Conference (RIC 2024) open, signalling the beginning of what promises to be an event filled with impactful discussions, collaborative engagements, and the sharing of innovative solutions to enhance the application of EO across Africa.

Shortly after, the focus shifted to a plenary session on the Post-2025 GEO Implementation Plan, moderated by Mr Andrew Murdock from the GEO Secretariat. This session provided comprehensive updates on the GEO implementation plan and its pillars, integral to achieving "Earth Intelligence for All." Esteemed speakers, including Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, Dr Amadou Sall, and Mr Charles Mwangi, shared their perspectives on how the plan can be effectively executed across the continent. Thus, their discussions emphasised the role of EO in enhancing natural resources management, food security, and sustainable development.

The day's activities concluded with a technical session on applying EO in agriculture and food security, moderated by Dr Kenneth Mubea, Capacity Development Manager at Digital Earth Africa. In addition, this session featured a series of insightful presentations:

1. Mary Maneno from the International Land Coalition Africa, Kenya, set the stage with a compelling presentation on the significance of proper land governance in combating food insecurity. She asserted that secure land rights are fundamental to achieving sustainable agricultural practices, emphasising that efforts to improve food security may falter without clear and protected land tenure.
2. Wessel Bonnet from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa followed with an in-depth exploration of the Brightness-Shape-Moisture model inversion for grassland soil moisture estimation. This innovative approach is critical for optimising agricultural practices, particularly in regions where soil moisture is key to crop yield and climate variability resilience.
3. Jagila Jantiku from Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) presented gender-inclusive strategies for sustainable agriculture. Her presentation highlighted the importance of integrating gender considerations into agricultural policies and practices, advocating for equitable access to resources and opportunities for women in farming communities. In addition, she emphasized that achieving sustainable agriculture requires addressing the gender disparities that often undermine the potential of women farmers.
4. Wallace Tapiwa Gara from the Geospatial Society of Zimbabwe provided a case study on the impacts of land use changes on ecosystem services in intensive agricultural areas, focusing on Hippo Valley Estate. His research underscored the delicate balance between agricultural expansion and ecosystem health, illustrating how changes in land use can lead to the degradation of vital ecosystem services essential for long-term agricultural sustainability.
5. Linus Anari from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to a presentation on food insecurity risk mapping through spatial disaggregation. He focused on identifying regions that experienced severe food shortages (IPC Phases 3 and above) between 2014 and 2023. He offered valuable insights on using EO data to pinpoint areas of greatest need, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions in food-insecure regions.
6. Tom Ouna from Karatina University, Kenya, concluded the session by exploring agricultural investment and sustainability in conflict-affected drylands, using Turkana County as a case study. His research highlighted the challenges of sustaining agricultural investments in areas plagued by conflict but also pointed to innovative strategies for ensuring that such investments contribute to long-term food security and resilience in these vulnerable regions.

The technical session was a fitting close to an eventful day. It left attendees with a deeper understanding of how EO technologies and data can be applied to enhance food security across Africa. Furthermore, the diverse presentations provided a rich exchange of ideas and best practices, offering actionable insights to drive future efforts in the intersection of EO, agriculture, and food security.

by Mustapha Iderawumi