Earth observation is one of the most immediately valuable space capabilities for Africa. Satellite imagery and derived analytics support agriculture, water, forestry, urban planning, mining oversight, coastal management and disaster response. The Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes designs and delivers EO programmes for public and private clients, from data acquisition to decision-ready intelligence.
Focus areas
- Data access. Securing optical, radar and multispectral data through commercial and institutional partnerships.
- Analytics. Turning raw imagery into land-cover maps, crop indicators, change detection and risk models.
- Ground infrastructure. Supporting receiving stations, data centres and processing pipelines on the continent.
- Institutional programmes. Designing national and regional EO programmes with ministries and agencies.
- Capacity building. Training analysts and building geospatial units inside client institutions.
What the directorate delivers
| Output | Purpose |
|---|---|
| EO programme designs | Scoped national or sectoral observation programmes |
| Geospatial products | Maps, indicators and dashboards for decision-makers |
| Data partnerships | Agreements with satellite operators and data providers |
| Trained analysts | Geospatial capability embedded in partner institutions |
How it works across TAG
The directorate works with Science on calibration and validation, with Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity on data delivery, and with regional directors on programme design for climate, agriculture and disaster-risk priorities.