9th AfriGEO Symposium 2025 Agenda

Venue: King Fahd Palace Hotel, Dakar, Senegal

Date: 6th to 9th October 2025

Theme: From Data to Impact

Background

AfriGEO is an initiative of the African Community in GEO aimed at providing a coordination framework and platform for Africa’s participation in GEO. It aims to be a Pan African initiative to raise awareness and develop capacity in EO for governments, research organizations, academia, and the commercial sector; to provide a framework for strengthening partnerships and collaborations within Africa; to be a gateway into Africa for international partners, and to be a support mechanism for the implementation of GEO objectives and programmes in Africa in line with the GEO Post 2025 Strategy.

The theme underscores the critical role of Earth Observation (EO) data and geospatial technologies in shaping Africa’s future. It also highlights the importance of transforming raw data into actionable insights that drive policy, economic growth, disaster resilience, and sustainable development. As Africa continues to harness geospatial technologies for sustainable development, Africa GEO players have to ensure that Earth Intelligence is accessible to governments, policymakers, businesses, researchers, and communities.

Key Aspects of the Theme include:

1. The Power of Data: Advancing Africa’s Geospatial Ecosystem
2. Translating Data into Impactful Decisions
3. Strengthening Geospatial Infrastructure and Collaboration
4. Driving Innovation for Sustainable Development
5. Capacity Building and Inclusivity

The 9th AfriGEO Symposium 2025, therefore, aims at providing a platform to foster this engagement and conversations by bringing together experts from the aforementioned spheres to discuss, unlock and activate integration, co-design, user engagement, partnership and capacity development in Africa. The symposium calls Africa to:

1. Strengthen Open Data Access
2. Transform Data into Actionable Insights
3. Foster Collaboration and Partnerships
4. Embrace Innovation: Leverage AI, cloud computing, and big data analytics to enhance decision-making and bridge Africa’s digital divide
5. Empower the Next Generation

6th October 2025: Pre-Event

The symposium pre-event offers capacity development opportunities in various EO application themes by various Group on Earth Observation (GEO) participating organizations and symposium partners. The training sessions are run in parallel.

0830–0930 Hrs.: Arrival and Registration

Conveners: AfriGEO, World Cereal, Nature Drones, Senegal Flying Labs, CSE, Digital Earth Africa, ESRI, GEO Human Planet

i

TEA BREAK 1000–1030 Hrs.

Time	Training Title & Convener	Description	Venue
1030–1300 Hrs.	WebGIS & GEOGLOWS: Practical Tools for Water Resource Management Convener: ESRI	Participants will learn to use web-based GIS tools (ArcGIS) and datasets like GEOGLOWS to access, visualize, and create applications for real-time water resource management, with hands-on practice building their own regional or national forecast app.	CSE Premises
1030–1300 Hrs.	Integrating satellite and in-situ observations for Agricultural Monitoring – Application and Best Practices Convener: GEOGLAM	This session will demonstrate how in-situ tools, satellite-based platforms, and data standards work together to improve crop monitoring. Participants will explore the GVG app for field data collection, ESA World Cereal for scalable mapping, and LCHS for ensuring consistency and interoperability—presenting a full workflow from field to global monitoring.	CSE Premises
1030–1300 Hrs.	Communicating Science Insights Conveners: DE Africa, CSE, GEO Blue Planet, Project Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions in Africa, Mercator Ocean International	This session aims to promote the uptake of scientific information and insights for decision-making. It’s meant to build the capacity of scientists on how to communicate with various users.	CSE Premises
1030–1300 Hrs.	Mapping for Sustainability: Leveraging EO in Land Degradation Neutrality Convener: GEO LDN	This session aims to equip participants with knowledge and practical skills to map and monitor SDG 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), using Earth Observation and geospatial tools to support national reporting and sustainable land management.	CSE Premises

1300–1400 Hrs.: LUNCH

Time	Training Title & Convener	Description	Venue
1400–1630 Hrs.	Digital Earth Africa	This session introduces the Digital Earth Africa platform and datasets that are empowering decision-making in effective natural resource management in Africa including coastal management use cases with CSE and WACA countries.	CSE Premises
1400–1630 Hrs.	Drone Data Processing by Senegal Flying Labs	This workshop showcases practical examples of how drone data can be converted into local decisions, informed policies, and sustainable solutions. It will explore how drone technology supports biodiversity conservation, combats land degradation, and strengthens community resilience to climate change.	CSE Premises
1400–1630 Hrs.	GEO Human Planet: Unlocking the potential of open geospatial data on human settlements	Insights and practical guidance on using open geospatial data, including the Global Human Settlement Layer. Participants will engage with web platforms, case studies, and applications for monitoring indicators, modelling, and storytelling with open data.	CSE Premises
1400–1630 Hrs.	Using Earth Observations for Air Quality	Organized by GEO Health Community of Practice – Air Quality Working Group. Attendees will learn about EO datasets supporting air quality research and management in Africa, access analysis tools, and discover resources for capacity building.	CSE Premises

End of Day ONE

Tuesday 7th October 2025

Event: Opening Ceremony

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

0845 – 0850 Hrs. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
● Master of Ceremony

0850 – 0945 Hrs. OPENING REMARKS
● Prof. Cheikh Mbow, Director General Centre de Suivi Écologique (CSE), Senegal.
● Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Director General Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), Kenya.
● Dr. Xiang Gao, Representative of the GEO Co-Chair, China, Director-General, China Science and Technology Exchange Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, China.
● Dr. Sara Venturini, Chief of Member Services, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat, Geneva.
● Chair AfriGEO Caucus, South Africa.

PARTNER REMARKS
● Dr. Lisa Rebelo, Managing Director, Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa).
● Ing. Sémou Diouf, Director SatNav-Africa Joint Programme Office (JPO).

0945 – 1000 Hrs. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
● Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President Africa Space Council
“Strategic Direction of Earth Observations: Alignment with AU Agenda 2063 and Africa Space Policy”

1000 – 1015 Hrs. OFFICIAL OPENING 9TH AFRIGEO 2025 SESSIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
● His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Senegal.

1015 – 1030 Hrs. PHOTO SESSION, COFFEE BREAK & PRESS POINT

1030 – 1130 Hrs. GEOSPATIAL, RESOURCES, POLICY AND SOLUTIONS
Moderator: Maram Kairé, Senegalese Space Studies Agency
● From Data to Impact: by Humbulani Mudau, CEO SANSA and AfriGEO Caucus Chair Alternate, South Africa.
● “Enhancing Earth Observation Resources for Africa” by Dr. Zoltan Szantoi, European Space Agency (ESA).
● Strategic partnerships towards promoting national and regional Space economy by Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, Director General, Kenya Space Agency, Kenya.
● Space-Based Solutions for Africa’s Sustainable Development” By Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, Director General /CEO, NASRDA, Nigeria.
● Senegal's space strategy and policy by Maram Kairé, Senegalese Space Studies Agency.
● Geospatial science and technology at the heart of the Europe-Africa partnership by Michel Massart, European Commission.

1130 – 1210 Hrs. NATIONAL GEOs
Convener: AfriGEO secretariat
Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre
Moderator: Dr. Ernest Acheampong
Session Description: The National GEOs play a critical role in implementing the GEO objectives and Goals at the national level. This session provides the platform for updates on the National GEOs on the activities the countries are implementing and the needs.
Presentations:
● Ghana GEO (Group on Earth Observation)
● Senegal GEO (Group on Earth Observation)
● GEO Nigeria (Group on Earth Observation)
● South Africa GEO (SAGEO)

1210-1310 Hrs.: SESSION 1: CONTINENTAL DEMO ON LAND USE INTENSITY'S POTENTIAL, VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA (LUISA)

Convener: LUISA-EO AFRICA, CSE

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Dr. Marshall Michael (University of Twente-ITC) and Mr. Byron Anagwe, Kenya Space Agency

Session Description: The session will focus on the development of a remote sensing-driven Human Appropriation of Net Primary Productivity (HANPP) monitoring framework for general land cover types in case study agroecosystems (Land cover types, Cropland, Forest, Rangeland and Urban). Net primary production (NPP) is the net amount of biomass produced by plants each year and a key ecosystem process providing the basic sustenance for all heterotrophs. Humans interfere with this process by transforming ecosystems in terms of land cover change, e.g. converting forests to croplands, and by extracting biomass to provide societies with food, animal feed, fiber or bioenergy. The framework of HANPP quantifies these alterations of NPP flows and hence the availability of trophic energy in ecosystems across land-use types and attributes them to various land-use processes and primary biomass products. This allows us to assess and compare land-use intensities and resulting pressures on ecosystems across space and time.

1310-1400 Hrs. LUNCH BREAK

1400-1530 Hrs. SESSION 2: TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION AND RISKS

Convener: GEO Human Planet, SANSA, AfriGEO CoP on Health

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Prof. Eva Mary Coll Seck, Galien Africa and Dr Nale Muda (SANSA)

Session Description: Earth observation data plays an important role in land management, provision of services and in building sustainable and climate resilience communities. This session showcases available Earth observation products, case studies on their use in decision making relating to health, sustainable land use and natural resource management. The session comprises 01 keynote (to be confirmed) and 6 presentations on GEO Human Planet Initiative, AfriGEO Health CoP and case studies on the use of EO for health, land management and natural resource management. The presentations will be delivered by researchers, data producers and users.

Keynote Address:

• Galien Africa's role in health knowledge in Africa by Prof Eva Mary Coll Seck, Galien Africa Forum
• Bridges between African Health Strategies, environment and geospatial applications by Prof Cheikh Mbow, Director General of CSE, Senegal.

Presentations:

• GEO Human Planet Initiative.
• AfriGEO Health CoP and the use of EO for health.
• Diseases transmitted by climate vectors by Mohamed K. Choulli, Maroc
• A Web-Based Application for Real-Time Malaria Forecasting Based on Environmental Predictors in Mudzi District, Zimbabwe by Kumbirai Nicholas Matingo, Zimbabwe.
• Role of Mauritius in the context of Air Pollution, Climate Change and Sustainable Urban Development by Burhoo Anoop Kumar, Ministry of National Infrastructure, Mauritius.
• From Data to Impact: Leveraging Drones for Sustainable Urban Planning in Mauritania by Elemine Sow, Mauritania.
• Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Refugee Host Communities: A Case of Bweyale Refugee Settlement by Brendah Nagula, Uganda.

1530-1550 Hrs. BREAK, E-POSTER SESSION

(Visit the E-poster presentation schedule to check which posters are being presented and the screen number)

1550-1730 Hrs. SESSION 3: PANEL AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON DATA, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Conveners: AfriGEO CoP on Data Infrastructure, ESRI Inc, RCMRD, and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), GICC-Senegal, SenSAT

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Ms. Pauline Okeyo (ESRI) and Mr. Teddy Mwangi (RCMRD)

Session Description: This session will explore the critical intersections between data, innovation, and infrastructure in strengthening Africa’s geospatial future. The focus will be on advancing Earth Observation (EO) data accessibility, promoting cutting-edge innovation, and enhancing geospatial infrastructure to ensure sustainable, scalable, and inclusive solutions for the continent. Through technical presentations and a high-level panel discussion, participants will gain insights into the latest tools, platforms, and strategies that are transforming raw EO data into actionable intelligence for decision-making across sectors.

Panelists:

• Dr. Isidore Diouf, Director General, SENUM SA (Digital Senegal) and President, GICC (Inter-Institutional Group for Consultation and Coordination in Geomatics, Senegal)
• Mr. Saturnin Ndotit Manguiengha, Agence Gabonaise d'Etudes et d'Observations Spatiales (AGEOS), Gabon.
• Mr. Jacques Matara, Kenya Space Agency- Deputy Director Space Research and Innovation, Kenya.
• Prof. Ahmath Bamba Mbacke, Senegalese Chapter of Internet Society and ESP, Senegal

Presentations:

• Dr Bollelang Sibolla, Co-Chair for the SA-GEO Data Governance Community of Practice (CoP) and Principal Researcher, NextGen Enterprises and Institutions at the CSIR, South Africa.
• Digital Earth Africa unlocks the power of satellite data by making analysis-ready earth observation data openly accessible and free across the continent by Prof. Seydina Ousmane Sene (Co-chair TAC, DEA).
• From Data to Impact: How GRID 3 Strengthens National Planning and Service Delivery by Mr. Sultan Jamal, NARSDA, Nigeria.
• A Collaborative Approach to boost innovation and space market uptake: the Africa Satellite Innovation Hub by Dr Aïcha Alou, SatNAv Africa JPO.
• Planet Labs PBC by Gerald Yegon, Regional Lead, Africa.
• Utilization of Open-Source Technologies in Managing and Sharing Earth Observation Data, Products and Services: A case study of RCMRD Geoportal and related platforms by Patrick Kabatha, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD).
• Review of Senegal's National Spatial Data Infrastructure using the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF): Status, Routes and Challenges by Dr. Alla Manga, Senegal.

End of Day TWO

WEDNESDAY THE 8TH OF OCTOBER 2025

The day opens up with technical presentations, a continuation of session 3. Session 4 will commence with parallel sessions; therefore, delegates are advised to follow through the agenda carefully to know the exact venues for the Session 4 parallel sessions.

0830-1015 Hrs. SESSION 3 (Continued): TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON DATA, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderators: Tidiane Sidibé (ANAT) and Joseph Tuyishimire (DEA)

• On Cloud Infrastructure that supports Earth Observation by Avin Mansookram, Amazon Web Services, South Africa.
• On Earth Observation Innovations and Sustainable Development by Dr. Anne Osio, Technical University of Kenya.
• EO for Disaster Risk Reduction by Dr. Belal Elleithy, Director General of Earth Observation Data Department, Egyptian Space Agency, Egypt.
• Role of the academia and research in Ensuring Earth Intelligence for Africa by Prof. Antony Gidudu, Makerere University, Uganda.
• Satellite Navigation in Africa by Eng. Herbert Ngaya, SatNav JPO (Joint Programme Office), Senegal.
• EO Africa Dunia: An All-in-One Platform for Knowledge and Innovation in Earth Observation by Johannes Schmid, GeoVille Information Systems and Data.

1030-1700 Hrs. PARALLEL SESSION 4A: AUC GMES & Africa West Africa Regional Exchange Workshop

Venue: Room B0506

Conveners: Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE), University of Ghana (MarCNoWA)

Moderators: Dr. Taïbou Ba (AUC-GMES & Africa) and Hamdi Kacem (AUC-GMES & Africa)

Session Description: This session aims to showcase the achievements and collaborative approaches of the GMES & Africa program Phase 2, bringing together key implementing institutions to share their experiences and lessons learned. The session focuses on building stronger partnerships between CSE, University of Ghana, and other GMES & Africa consortium members while demonstrating integrated approaches to water resource management and marine-terrestrial ecosystem monitoring. Through project presentations and collaborative panels, participants will explore synergies in coastal and inland water management, fostering knowledge exchange and identifying pathways for enhanced continental cooperation in Earth observation applications. A mini agenda to be provided by conveners.

1030-1145 Hrs. AFRICA CAUCUS MEETING

This meeting is attended by the AfriGEO Member countries and participating organizations to discuss matters that require decisions. Observers are also welcome. An agenda will be shared.

Convener: AfriGEO Caucus Chair

Venue: Room C0506

1145-1210 Hrs. TEA BREAK & E-POSTER SESSION

(Visit the E-poster presentation schedule to check which posters are being presented and the screen number)

1210-1330 Hrs. PARALLEL SESSION 4B: PANEL AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK ECOSYSTEMS

Conveners: AfriGEO CoP on Agriculture, Agriculture Research Centre - South Africa, GEOGLAM, ISRA, DAPSA

Venue: Room B012

Moderators: Prof. George Chirima (Agriculture Research Centre - South Africa) and Ms. Esther Makabe (GEOGLAM)

Session Description: This panel focuses on socio-economic pillars that are highly developed in Africa, where they occupy the vast majority of the population. Today, this situation benefits from advances in geospatial data, technologies and innovations. Geospatial intelligence is thus helping to put innovative tools into practice, transforming agriculture, for example, into a more profitable and smarter business, enabling livestock farming to benefit from guidance directed towards the location of pastures and ponds, facilitating the analysis of phenological measurements of forest ecosystems and the estimation of their carbon sequestration potential, not to mention risk management measures, notably with regard to alerts derived from forecasting data and earth observation and positioning data.

Keynote Address: DLR perspective on the potential of EO in West Africa to support the sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems by Dr. Jonas Meier, German Aerospace Center.

Presentations:

• Leveraging Machine Learning and Remote Sensing to Predict the Risk of Soybean Rust by Dr. Francis Muthoni, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kenya.
• From Beans to Biodiversity: Leveraging Earth Intelligence and GIS to Ensure EUDR Compliance in Coffee Export by Ms. Lorien Innes, ESRI Inc.
• Sustainable Aquaculture: Minimizing Environmental Impact in Fish Production, by Isatou Tambadou, Gambia.
• Pastoral Early Warning and Surveillance System in the Sahel (PEWS): Sahelian herders embrace technology by Chérif Assane Diallo, Senegal.
• Mapping Paddy Rice Using Segmentation Technics and Phenological Metrics Derived from Sentinel-2 Time Series in Senegal by Fama Mbengue, Senegal.

Panelists:

• East Africa by Captain Faith Maina, Kenya Space Agency, Kenya.
• West Africa by Dr. Kofi Asare, Ghana Space Agency, Ghana.
• Southern Africa by Prof. George Chirima, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa.
• North Africa by Dr. Oumnia Ennaji, Morocco.
• Global Initiative by Ms. Esther Makabe, GEOGLAM.

1215-1330 Hrs. PARALLEL SESSION 4C: PANEL AND TECHNICAL ON FOREST, BIODIVERSITY AND SEA SCAPE ECOSYSTEMS

Conveners: Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Forests, Biodiversity and Seascape Ecosystems, Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement (ISE)

Venue: Room C012

Moderator: Mr. Michael Ngugi, RCoE

Session Description: The technical presentations focus on biodiversity conservation within Africa and beyond, outlining the frameworks and status of various ecosystems.

Presentations:

• Suivi et estimation du potentiel de séquestration du carbone des mangroves de Somone (Sénégal) par télédétection Sentinel-2 et modèles allométriques by Dr. Cheikh Sadibou Faye, Ecole Polytechnique de Thiès, Senegal.
• Exploring the potential of Sentinel 1 data for the analysis of phenological metrics in Oueme-Boukou forest reserve, Benin Republic by Prof. Joseph Oloukoi Afrigist, Obafemi Awolowo University Campus.
• High-Resolution Mapping of Mangrove Tree Cover in Mahajamba Bay, Madagascar, Using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Data by Tsintsiana Vatosoa Andrianina Nirinarivelo, Madagascar.
• Data to Impact: The Kenyan Journey by Dr. Moses Akali, Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing, Kenya.
• Comparaison de l'efficacité d’algorithmes IA de détection de couronnes d'arbres à partir d'images drones dans trois zones écogéographiques du Senegal by Loïs Danielle Mabicka, Senegal.

1210-1330 Hrs. PARALLEL SESSION 4D: AFRIGEO-OPEN DATA & OPEN KNOWLEDGE (ODOK)

Conveners: GEO Knowledge Hub and Data and Knowledge Working Group

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Ms. Letwin Pondo

Session Description: The session of ODOK is dedicated to sharing the GEO direction on implementing and adopting Open Data and Open Knowledge at regional level. Speakers from the Data and Knowledge WG and the GEO Knowledge Hub will be sharing the advancement and best practices over data and knowledge sharing, GEO Knowledge Hub at national level, as well as GEO advancement towards enhancing in-situ data sharing and implementation of open data and software license.

Presentations:

• GEO actions towards Open Data and Open Knowledge.
• GEO Knowledge Hub: The experience from Knowledge provider - Space Climate Observatory.
• GKH and National GEO Knowledge Hubs: The experience of South Africa to be replicated to other countries by Lulu Makapela and Letwin Pondo.
• GEO In situ Data Strategy in Africa by Leo Chiloane.
• Data and Software License: Opportunities for engagement.

1330-1415 Hrs. LUNCH BREAK

1415-1630 Hrs. SESSION 5A: PANEL AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON MARINE AND COASTLINE, MINING AND OIL EXPLORATION, FISHING AND POLLUTION

Conveners: GEO Blue Planet, UNEP, DE Africa, CSE, SGNS, GMES and Africa

Venue: Room C0506

Moderators: Joana Akrofi (UNEP - Coordinator GEMS Ocean Programme) and Prof. Soulèye Wade (UCAD, Senegal)

Session Description: The Marine and Coastline Management session at the AfriGEO Symposium, co-organized by GEO Blue Planet, brings together regional experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders to address pressing challenges facing Africa’s coastal and marine environments. The session highlights the importance of Earth Observation and Prediction data in supporting sustainable coastal development, marine ecosystem protection, and climate resilience. Through interactive presentations and panel discussions, participants will get to appreciate various innovative tools and collaborative strategies for monitoring coastal erosion, managing fisheries, and enhancing early warning systems for marine hazards. Emphasis is placed on strengthening regional capacity and fostering partnerships to ensure that data-driven solutions are accessible and actionable for coastal communities across the continent.

Presentations:

• Regional cooperation towards sustainable marine and coastal management by Mohamed Atani, UNEP - Sub Regional Office for West Africa.
• The Ocean and the African Union by Bachir Saley, African Union Commission.
• The Marine and Coastal Service by Kwame Adu Agyekum, GMES and Africa.
• Contributions of Earth Observation Data and the Role of West African Regional Coastal Observatory (WARCO) by Mamadou Lamine Ndiaye, CSE, Senegal.
• Ocean Start-ups Acceleration Programme by Alexis Grosskopf (recorded), Oceanhub Africa.
• GEMS Oceans Programme by Joana Akrofi, UNEP GEMS Oceans.
• The Sargassum Information Hub (Video) by GEO Blue Planet.
• DEA Coastline Dashboard by Kenneth Mubea, Digital Earth Africa.
• ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World by Lorien Innes, ESRI Inc.
• OPERA - Ocean Prediction Enhancement in Regions of Africa by Yandeh Sallah-Muhammed, Mercator Ocean International.

1415-1630 Hrs. SESSION 5B: PANEL AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATION ON BLUE ECONOMY AND CLIMATE SERVICES

Conveners: Ghana GEO, ANACIM, DGPRE

Venue: Room B012

Moderators: Dr. Ernest Acheampong (Ghana GEO) and Dr. Aida Diongue-Niang (ANACIM)

Session Description: The session highlights the importance of Earth Observation and Prediction data in supporting blue economy and climate resilience.

Presentations:

• Co-Creating a Pan-African Research and Knowledge Infrastructure for Climate Services, Policy, Impact, and Resilience by Dr. Theresia Bilola, Project Manager KADI.
• Open Source-Nexus Modelling of Water-related Indicators on Extreme Poverty: The case of the Urban sub-basin of the Coast catchment in the Wami Ruvu Basin by Frank Anderson, Tanzania.
• From Satellites to Shores to Stakeholders: Decoding climate change's impact on Africa’s coastal heritage - Insights from Senegal, Kenya, and Tanzania by Dr. Pamella Ochungo, Technical University of Kenya.
• Quantifying the Influence of Remote Climate Indices on Key Climate Variables in Northern Ghana: A Comprehensive Multivariate Approach by Dr. Kofi Asare, Ghana.
• GIS and Remote Sensing-Based Stability Assessment and Real-Time Monitoring of Landslides Using IoT-Enabled Systems by Ngouepegueu Fomazou Yvana Vanissa, Cameroon.
• Climate Services: From Data to Impact by Dr. Alima Dajuma, University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly (UPGC), Côte d'Ivoire.
• Drone Imagery to Improve Cities’ Resilience on Climate Change by Dr. Ibrahima Cisse, Regional Director Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) West and Northern Africa Hub, Dakar, Senegal.
• Spatio-economic valuation of sand in the context of shoreline (in) stability in the Senegal estuary (West Africa), integrating DeltaDTM and LiDAR technology by Dr. Awa Bousso Drame, Senegal.
• L’imagerie de télédétection comme outil d’estimation et de suivi des paramètres de qualité de l’eau (Chl-a et CDOM): cas du lac de Guiers by Charles Diedhiou, Sénégal.

1415-1630 Hrs. SESSION 5C: AFRIGEO STEERING COMMITTEE (Closed Session)

Conveners: AfriGEO Steering Committee

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Ms. Tumisang Modiole, Department of Science Technology and Innovation, South Africa

1630-1730 Hrs. TECHNICAL SESSION 6: AWARENESS PLATFORM

Conveners: RCMRD, CSE, Direction du Cadastre, PROCASEF

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Angela Too, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)

Session Description: The session highlights the importance of Earth Observation and Prediction data in supporting decision making in land productivity and potential.

Presentations:

• Declining Land Productivity in the Great Green Wall: Human Restoration Efforts Outpace Degradation by Prof. Li Xiaosong, International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), China.
• Bridging Science and Action: A Geo-LDN Model for Community-Based Restoration in Degraded Landscapes by Dr. Shomboro Dauda Karau, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria.
• Insights on satellite data utilization and early warning systems by Prof. Yong-Sang Choi, CEO/CTO of RainbirdGEO.
• Bridging Earth Observations and Land Degradation Neutrality: GEO-LDN Opportunities for Francophone Africa by Amadou Sall, CSE, Senegal.
• The Management of Digital Topographic Data in Djibouti by Nour Farah Ibrahim, Head of GIS Department at the Presidency, Djibouti.
• AOGEO

1730 Hrs. TEA BREAK & E-POSTER SESSION (Visit the E-poster presentation schedule to check which posters are being presented and the screen number)

1800 Hrs. WELCOME DINNER

End of Day THREE

THURSDAY THE 9TH OF OCTOBER 2025

0830 - 0910 Hrs. SESSION 7: GENDER INCLUSIVITY AND INTERSECTIONALITY

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderators: Dr. Rokhaya Samba Diene, Director General, National Geological Survey of Senegal (SGNS) and Ms. Tumisang Modiole, Department of Science Technology and Innovation, South Africa

• On Gender Inclusivity and Intersectionality: Geoinformation uptake session by Ms. Jacquelyne Nnassuna, RCMRD.
• From Satellite to Field: AI-GEAR as Nigeria’s Blueprint for Gender-Responsive Climate Resilience in African Agriculture by Ms. Jagila Jantiku, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria.
• AfriGEO Capacity Development Solutions (Use Case GEOLDN) and Strategy by Prof. Amos Kabobah, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
• Women’s Role in the Senegalese Geospatial Ecosystem: State of Play and Perspectives by Ms. Dieynaba Seck, Centre de Suivi Ecologique, Senegal.

0930 - 1030 Hrs. SESSION 8: LAND DATA, LAND GOVERNANCE AND RESILIENCE IN AFRICA

Conveners: International Land Coalition, RECONCILE

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Ms. Judith Atukunda, International Land Coalition (ILC)

Session Description: This session highlights how geospatial data informs community land governance, policy, strengthens land administration, and supports adaptive land use planning. Participants will explore opportunities to scale these approaches across the continent, bridging the gap between data producers and decision-makers to address land insecurity, climate vulnerability, and sustainable development.

Presentations:

• The roles of digital tools, space and technology in advancing land governance: Case of Community Land Mapping in Kenya by Pascal Ogola.
• The impact of geospatial technology on data management and land governance in Senegal: Current situation, issues, and challenges by Mouhamadou M. Dia, Coordinator of PROCASEF, World Bank and Cadastre, Senegal.

Panelists: Ken Otieno, Laureen Ongesa, and Mohamadou Dieye — on how local data strengthens cross-country learning and advocacy.

1040 - 1050 Hrs. TEA BREAK & E-POSTER SESSION (Visit the E-poster presentation schedule to check which posters are being presented and the screen number)

1030 - 1130 Hrs. SESSION 9: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

Conveners: AfriGEO Secretariat and CSE

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderators: Dr. Anthony Phiri (D. Tech, TUT, SA) and Dr. Racine LY, Director of Data Intelligence and Governance, Akademiya 2063, Senegal

• 1030 - 1040 Hrs. Italian Space Agency activities in cooperation with African countries and organizations.
  Session Description: Presentation of GEO-relevant activities linked to the "Piano Mattei for Africa" plan, launched by the Italian Government to build partnerships on an equal basis and generate mutual opportunities.
• 1040 - 1050 Hrs. Partnership for Weather and Climate Services in Africa – The ANACIM-EUMETSAT Cooperation.
  Session Description: Highlights Africa–EU collaboration in satellite meteorology, the transition to Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), and the SEWA project under the Africa-EU Space Partnership Program.
• 1050 - 1100 Hrs. China GEO: Partenariat pour le développement de l'écosystème géospatial africain.
  Session Description: Focus on China’s Earth Observation technologies, drone remote sensing, and high-resolution satellite applications supporting Africa’s sustainable development and agricultural monitoring.
• 1100 - 1110 Hrs. French Cooperation and the strengthening of geospatial in Africa: The example of the Sen Spatial and SenSat projects in Senegal.
  Session Description: Presentation of the transformative Franco-Senegalese partnership through Sen Spatial and SenSat projects, enhancing capacity building, human capital, and technological advancement in Senegal’s geospatial sector.

1110 - 1130 Hrs. E-POSTER SESSION & TEA BREAK (Visit the E-poster presentation schedule to check which posters are being presented and the screen number)

1130 - 1300 Hrs. SESSION 10: YOUTH-LED SOLUTIONS — CHAMPIONING EARTH OBSERVATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE AFRICA

Conveners: AfriGEO Youth CoP, ASPG

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Mr. Sultan Kamal, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria

Session Description: This session explores how young professionals are driving Earth Observation innovation across Africa. It showcases youth-led projects and introduces the AfriGEO Youth Community of Practice as a platform to nurture geospatial leadership and collaboration.

Keynote: Letwin Pondo, Geospatial Engineer and a leading voice for Youth Empowerment, GEO Secretariat.

Opening and Welcome:

• Brief welcome by session chair/moderator.
• Introduce AfriGEO Youth CoP, its vision, and why youth voices in geospatial matter for Africa.

Presentations:

• AfriGEO Youth Community of Practice Work Program by Mr. Mohamed Omar — How RCMRD Empowers the Youth.
• Digital Earth Africa’s work on empowering the next generation of future leaders by Catherine Sang, Digital Earth Africa.

Panelists:

• Mohamed Omar, GIS Technical Assistant, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), Kenya.
• Thobeka Zondi, Lecturer, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
• Brenda Nagula, GIS Analyst, Urban Research and Training Consultancy East Africa Limited, Uganda.
• Nasiphi Ngcoliso, Junior Remote Sensing Scientist, South African National Space Agency.
• Ms. Mame Lissong Diop, Junior Geospatial Researcher, Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE).
• Abdoulaye Bouya Diop, Remote Sensing Manager, SAED, Senegal.

1300 - 1400 Hrs. LUNCH BREAK

1400 - 1500 Hrs. GEOSPATIAL APPLICATIONS ISSUES, TECHNICAL EXCHANGES AND PERSPECTIVES

Conveners: AfriGEO, CSE

Venue: King Fahd Amphitheatre

Moderator: Prof. Cheikh Mbow, CSE

Presentations:

• Capacity Building on the Construction and Applications for Global UAV Observation Network by Huanyin Yue, Xiaohan Liao, Yong Li et al., China.
• DRONet and Fast Remote Sensing Drone by Ren Xiang, Liao Xiaohan, Xu Chenchen, Yue Huan Yin, China.
• GIES: Technology-Driven Ecological Protection and Value Boost for Premium Agri Products in FAO’s OCOP Program by Jiang Zhaocai, Liu Chuang, China.
• Senegal Takes Its Place in Space: SenSAT Program and GAINDAT-1A Satellite Launch by Prof. Gayane Faye, Senegal.
• Optimisation de l’utilisation des points de contrôle au Sol (GCP) pour un géoréférencement précis 2D des données de Photogrammétrie par drone by Mouhamadou Moustapha Mbacké Ndour, UFR Sciences de l’Ingénieur, UIDT.
• The Untapped Potential of Geospatial Technology and Artificial Intelligence in African Agriculture-Food Systems: Critical Insights on Strengthening Public Policy in Africa by Dr. Racine LY, Akademiya 2063, Senegal.

1500 - 1530 Hrs. CLOSING SESSION

• Highlights of the AfriGEO Symposium week.
• Closing remarks by Senegal.

End of Day FOUR: CLOSING.