The AfriGEO Symposium 2025

Overview

AfriGEO is an initiative of the African continent developed within the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) framework, providing a coordination framework for Africa’s participation in GEO and contributing to the development of GEOSS. AfriGEO consists of Africa-based GEO member states (32) and over 15 participating regional institutions, known as the African Caucus. It strengthens the link between GEO activities and existing capabilities in Africa, minimizing duplication and creating synergies across the continent.

Concept

As Africa continues to harness geospatial technologies for sustainable development, this year’s symposium theme underscores the critical role of Earth Observation (EO) data and geospatial technologies in shaping Africa’s future. It highlights the importance of transforming raw data into actionable insights that drive policy, economic growth, disaster resilience, and sustainable development aligned with the GEO Post 2025 Strategy and Implementation Plan.

The symposium will explore key aspects:

1. The Power of Data: Advancing Africa’s Geospatial Ecosystem by improving data collection, accessibility, and sharing among stakeholders.
2. Translating Data into Impactful Decisions: Effectively integrating geospatial data into decision-making to tackle climate change, food insecurity, urbanization, and natural disasters.
3. Strengthening Geospatial Infrastructure and Collaboration: Building robust infrastructure, policies, and capacity while enhancing partnerships.
4. Driving Innovation for Sustainable Development: Embracing AI, big data analytics, and cloud computing to drive growth and sustainability.
5. Capacity Building and Inclusivity: Investing in education and training, and promoting gender and youth inclusion in EO applications.

The AfriGEO Symposia

Since 2016, AfriGEO symposia have served as platforms for networking, engagement, and co-development of impactful and sustainable Earth Observation solutions to Africa’s development challenges. The 2025 symposium will build on past efforts, promoting integration, co-design, user engagement, partnerships, and capacity development.

Thematic Focus Areas:

• Agriculture, Food Security, Soil Moisture, and Agricultural Outreach Support
• Biodiversity, Land Degradation, and Sustainable Forest Management
• Land Cover for Africa, Land Administration, Sustainable Urban Development
• Blue Economy and Water Resource Management
• Climate Services and Adaptation
• Health, Air Quality, and Disaster Management
• Innovation, Data, and Infrastructure