Reclaiming Africa’s Data Future: Dr Lisa Rabello on Earth Observation, Access & Ownership
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This week on the Social Impact Show, Sam Marshall speaks to Dr Lisa Maria Rabello, Acting Managing Director of Digital Earth Africa, about the game-changing role of Earth observation data across the continent.
Launched in 2019 with a bold vision to make satellite data accessible to all Africans, Digital Earth Africa is now powering everything from coastal resilience in Ghana to urban management in Johannesburg. Hosted on the cloud in Cape Town, their data infrastructure is enabling African-led innovation in policy, science, and education — with over 30,000 users and growing.
In this episode, Dr Rabello explains:
🌍 Why accessibility—not availability—was Africa’s biggest data barrier
🌍 How DEA tools are helping local governments make better decisions
🌍 The critical role of women, youth, and universities in building the continent’s geospatial future
Plus: exciting news about DEA’s extended funding from the Helmsley Charitable Trust — and what the next 10 years of Earth observation in Africa could look like.
🎧 Tune in and discover why Africa is not just consuming data — but producing and leading with it.
Launched in 2019 with a bold vision to make satellite data accessible to all Africans, Digital Earth Africa is now powering everything from coastal resilience in Ghana to urban management in Johannesburg. Hosted on the cloud in Cape Town, their data infrastructure is enabling African-led innovation in policy, science, and education — with over 30,000 users and growing.
In this episode, Dr Rabello explains:
🌍 Why accessibility—not availability—was Africa’s biggest data barrier
🌍 How DEA tools are helping local governments make better decisions
🌍 The critical role of women, youth, and universities in building the continent’s geospatial future
Plus: exciting news about DEA’s extended funding from the Helmsley Charitable Trust — and what the next 10 years of Earth observation in Africa could look like.
🎧 Tune in and discover why Africa is not just consuming data — but producing and leading with it.