The status of Earth Observation(EO)&Geo-Information Sciences in Africa-trends and challenges

Over the last 20 years,Africa has witnessed a slow but steady advancement in space-based technologies as they are increasingly recognized as an essential tool for decision-making that can leapfrog African development.A critical review on the outcome of a survey questionnaire focused on African private sector industries and universities,services and education/training in EO and Geo-Information Sciences,combined with literature review,and personal contacts reveal optimism for success in four sectors.These include the public sector(Government ministries and departments);Academic institutions(universities/colleges/national or regional centers);and space agencies and private sector companies.These sectors are intertwined and fundamental for creating an enabling environment for solutions to a broad spectrum of pressing priorities:job creation,poverty alleviation,and sustainable resource management.The result shows that there is an uptake in the number of institutions and market segments created.To date,there are more than 90 academic institutions and over 53 national space agencies in 28 countries.Within the 53 national space agencies,11 African countries have already launched a total of 36 satellites into orbit,and additional five are expected by the first quarter of 2021;another five by 2025;thus,amounting to 46 satellites not foreseen ten years ago.In addition,there are now ten receiving and tracking stations in six African countries and 17 scientific National Associations or Societies with specialized expertise in Geo-Information technologies.The updated survey on the private sector in 2019 ascertained that around 4110 people are working in 130 of the 229 EO and Geo-Information Science companies identified in Africa.Ongoing investigations reiterate that companies dealing with space-based datasets and Geo-Information Sciences together with the private spin-off companies today absorb more than 15,000 people and the assumption is that this number is going to exceed 100,000 by the year 2025.

Spectral indices derived,non-parametric Decision Tree Classification approach to lithological mapping in the Lake Magadi area,Kenya

Here,we demonstrate the application of Decision Tree Classification(DTC)method for lithological mapping from multi-spectral satellite imagery.The area of investigation is the Lake Magadi in the East African Rift Valley in Kenya.The work involves the collection of rock and soil samples in the field,their analyses using reflectance and emittance spectroscopy,and the processing and interpretation of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer data through the DTC method.The latter method is strictly non-parametric,flexible and simple which does not require assumptions regarding the distributions of the input data.It has been successfully used in a wide range of classification problems.The DTC method successfully mapped the chert and trachyte series rocks,including clay minerals and evaporites of the area with higher overall accuracy(86%).Higher classification accuracies of the developed decision tree suggest its ability to adapt to noise and nonlinear relations often observed on the surface materials in space-borne spectral image data without making assumptions on the distribution of input data.Moreover,the present work found the DTC method useful in mapping lithological variations in the vast rugged terrain accurately,which are inherently equipped with different sources of noises even when subjected to considerable radiance and atmospheric correction.

Geoinformatics education and outreach:looking forward

Geoinformatics education is a key factor for sustainable development of geo-spatial sciences and industries.There have been a variety of educational activities focusing on education and training,technology transfer,and capability building in photogrammetry,remote sensing,and spatial information science,together known as Geoinformatics.Geoinformatics education is an essential mission and even determinant in the ISPRS society.The paper discusses key issues in Geoinformatics education.It reviews educational activities from the ISPRS perspective and summarizes lessons learned from these actions.A vision towards future trends of Geoinformatics education in the ISPRS is provided.