Dr. Lisa Rebelo, the Lead Scientist at Digital Earth Africa, discusses with CNBC Africa the immense potential that decades of satellite imagery and earth observation data hold. With approximately 9,000 active satellites orbiting Earth, around 20% of them dedicated to collecting data on land and oceans, the possibilities for utilising this information are vast.
Dr. Rebelo highlights the critical importance of integrating earth observation data into decision-making processes to enable proactive responses to various events. Digital Earth Africa aims to make earth observation data accessible to entrepreneurs and startups, empowering the private sector to leverage this information for innovation and growth.
Through such initiatives, Africa is well-positioned to close the gap in effectively utilising this data, placing the continent at the forefront of the global earth observation landscape. By enhancing access to these resources and supporting diverse sectors, including government and private enterprises, Africa can harness the power of earth observation data to create a brighter and more sustainable future.
Watch the interview here.