Milestone Achievement: Inaugural Edition of the Global Geospatial Information Forum (GGiF 2023) in Lomé, Togo
One of Tod'Aérs Global Network [TGN]'s most achievements of 2023, with thanks to Airbus Intelligence and the the Joint Africa - European Union Strategy (JAES)'s Satellite Navigation Porgramme (SatNav Africa JPO), has been showcased through the Global Geospatial Information Forum (GGiF 2023). This notable event took place in Lome, Togo, from October 23-26, 2023. GGiF2023 was supported by Airbus Intelligence and EU-funded programme SatNav Africa JPO, a joint initiative of the European Commission, the African Union, and ASECNA, the forum aimed to promote geospatial innovation among startups, SMEs, young entrepreneurs, and innovators. The focus was on capacity-building in geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial data, all in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The inaugural GGiF 2023 featured a rich agenda that included distinguished speeches, panels, technical workshops, interactive experiences, field visits, and a highly competitive hackathon. The hackathon culminated with final pitches from the top 10 finalists, highlighting innovative geospatial solutions. This initiative also garnered support from strategic partners such as:
UNDP Togo and the Togolese Presidency's attached Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation; under the Presidency's "Programme on Strengthening Governance and Democratic Institutions"
The national startup incubation hub NunyaLab - affiliated to the Ministry of Grassroots Development, Youth and Youth Employment.
Geospatial World - an international organization advancing geospatial knowledge for sustainability worldwide.
Advancing Geospatial Innovation
Notable keynote speakers and panelists shared their insights on advancing geospatial knowledge and innovation for sustainable development. These experts highlighted the critical role of geospatial data in driving sustainable development and the transformative potential of Pléiades Neo satellites in this domain. Among others:
His Excellency Ambassador Boubacar Issa Abdourhamane: Member of the Governing Board of Tod'Aérs Global Network [TGN] and Former Ambassador of La Francophonie (OIF) to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Mr. Herbert NGAYA, who represented Mr. Semou DIOUF: the Director General of SatNav Africa JPO (the Joint Satellite Navigation Programme of the EU, the AU, and ASECNA).
Mr. Samuel LANTAM, who represented Mr. Simplice ANAMINA: the Director of Planning and Development Policy of the Togolese Presidency's attached Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation
Mr. Komi Ognadon Aokou: Head of the SDGs Accelerator Lab at UNDP Togo
Mr. Yvon KOUDAM: Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Togo National Commissioner for Innovation
Ms. Nadia ANWONE: Head of Business Development at NunyaLab
Advanced Earth Observation with Pléiades Neo
Airbus has achieved a significant advancement in Earth observation with the launch of its Pléiades Neo satellites. These satellites, exclusively financed, manufactured, owned, and managed by Airbus, represent a leap forward in remote sensing capabilities for commercial, institutional, and governmental users. Comprising two identical spacecraft with a high resolution of 30 cm, the Pléiades Neo constellation revolutionizes Earth observation. It offers rapid tasking and can revisit any point on Earth at least twice daily, contributing around 1,00,000 km² of imagery to Airbus' repository daily. This data is accessible via Airbus' OneAtlas digital platform, providing immediate access to fresh and archived data, along with powerful analytics tools.
Aquaculture: The primary sector benefiting from Pléiades Neo is aquaculture, specifically black pearl farming. The satellites' high-resolution imagery and detailed data assist in optimizing farming practices, ensuring sustainable growth, and protecting the marine environment. This includes farm mapping, where the satellites monitor boundaries, water quality, and oyster health to prevent overexploitation.
Environmental Monitoring: Pléiades Neo also supports environmental monitoring by providing high-resolution images and data that help track changes in ecosystems, detect pollution, and assess the health of marine and terrestrial environments. For example, mapping and monitoring fish traps assess the sustainability of fishing practices, ensuring fish population health and avoiding overfishing in the lagoon.
Disaster Management: In disaster management, Pléiades Neo plays a crucial role by offering rapid response capabilities and detailed imagery for assessing damage, planning recovery efforts, and mitigating future risks. This includes pollution assessment, where the satellites provide imagery and data to evaluate and mitigate pollution risks, such as fuel spills from grounded vessels, ensuring timely and effective responses to environmental threats.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Targets
The high resolution of 30 cm provided by Pléiades Neo is a critical KPI, ensuring detailed and accurate mapping essential for precise monitoring and analysis. Geolocation accuracy, with a native accuracy of 3.5 meters, offers reliable data for effective management and planning. The ability to revisit any point on Earth at least twice daily and rapid tasking capabilities are vital for real-time monitoring and response. The targets include ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices through accurate data for optimal farming and environmental protection, preserving ecosystems with detailed monitoring and assessment, and enhancing disaster risk reduction with rapid response capabilities and detailed damage assessment.
The advanced capabilities of Pléiades Neo satellites underline their pivotal role in reshaping Earth observation-based services, providing unmatched data quality, frequent updates, and extensive applications across various sectors. This advancement marks a new era in Earth observation, essential for sustainable development in an ever-evolving, information-driven world.