The Government of Rwanda has partnered with US-based Earth observation company Planet Labs to expand access to near-daily satellite data for government institutions, universities, startups and development partners. The programme, announced on Monday, August 10, will be managed by the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA), making Planet’s satellite imagery and data available to government agencies for applications in agriculture and food security, environmental monitoring, urban planning and disaster management. ALSO READ: Rwanda's teleport becomes first fully certified facility in Sub-Saharan Africa Planet Labs described the agreement as its first national programme of this kind in Africa. The data will help government agencies monitor agricultural activities and forest health, refine urban planning and zoning, and strengthen disaster risk reduction, response and recovery. The programme will also extend access to satellite imagery beyond government institutions, with public universities set to use the data for undergraduate training and advanced research in Earth observation. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda’s space economy is a catalyst for innovation and growth Startups working in national priority areas will also be able to draw on Planet’s daily satellite feeds to develop applications and services, with the aim of supporting economic development and innovation. The partnership builds on Rwanda’s growing investment in satellite technology and geospatial data for national development. The Rwanda Space Agency has been developing national geospatial infrastructure to support the processing and analysis of Earth observation data for applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban development and disaster management.
