SATELLITE DATA
SA space agency zooms in on African development
Agreement will see the South African National Space Agency provide Earth observation products and services to Nepad
SA’s space agency has its eyes on Africa and a new memorandum of understanding with the AU’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) paves the way for it to expand its footprint. But it takes more than data to create evidence-based policy. The agreement, signed in April, will see the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) provide Earth observation products and services to Nepad. Africa is the second-largest continent and its size and paucity of infrastructure makes it difficult efficiently and cost-effectively to detect changes in natural resources and land usage. Governments, business and landowners can use satellites to identify these changes and to compile data that they can use to guide their decision-making and policies. "It’s increasingly apparent that quality and legitimate data and information is one of the most valuable resources in Africa’s development agenda," says Martin Bwalya, a senior adviser at Nepad. "Space science and Earth observation capacities are ...
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