Celebrating Six Years of Digital Earth Africa

Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) was launched in August 2019 with a bold vision to make satellite data freely accessible and decision-ready for Africa. Six years later, that vision has become reality and DE Africa now stands as the continent’s largest Open Data Cube implementation, transforming how the continent monitors its resources and responds to change.

In six years, DE Africa has grown to host over 6 petabytes of satellite data, deliver 10 continental-scale services, and build a thriving community of more than 29,000 active users, 6,500 developers, 35 plus partners and 1,300 trained professionals. These numbers reflect both the demand for open data and the trust that African institutions, researchers, and communities place in the platform.

Behind the statistics lie powerful stories of impact. In Ghana, DE Africa’s shoreline data has been used to pinpoint erosion zones in the Keta Lagoon, informing coastal resilience efforts. In Nigeria, flood models supported evacuations during the October 2024 Kogi State floods, strengthening community preparedness. Across agriculture, open access to satellite data has contributed to productivity gains valued at nearly USD 900 million, supporting farmers and food security.

Innovation has remained at the heart of this journey. In 2024, DE Africa launched the Waterbodies Monitoring Service, tracking more than 700,000 lakes and reservoirs with weekly updates, a first of its kind for the continent. Today, the platform provides over 140 analysis tools and resources designed to make Earth observation practical and scalable in African contexts.

Equally important are the partnerships that drive this work. From Governments and national space agencies to NGOs, universities, and local communities, DE Africa is a truly collaborative initiative. Its services are now in use by nearly 100 government agencies and developed in partnership with over 35 organisations, ensuring that solutions are locally relevant and owned.

As Acting Manager Lisa Marie Rebelo reflects: “This anniversary is a celebration of African innovation. Our mission has always been to make satellite data decision-ready for all. As we look forward, we are committed to scaling our impact, expanding services, and ensuring that African voices continue to shape our future.”

Looking ahead, DE Africa is preparing for the next chapter. The journey reflects what is possible when innovation, partnerships, and African leadership come together to put data in the service of sustainable development.