Copernicus supporting women entrepreneurs: a new orbit for Africa
The Copernicus Mentoring Programme intends to support African women entrepreneurs by providing access to satellite data, coaching and training, helping them transform local challenges into innovative and sustainable solutions for the continent
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| (c) Courtesy of SASSCAL/WeMAST |
How?
The "Mentoring Programme for the Use of Copernicus Data in Africa" aims to empower women entrepreneurs to turn challenges into opportunities, stimulate sustainable development, and strengthen their role in the space industry in Africa. It provides them with the tools, knowledge and support needed to integrate Earth observation data into their ventures.
This programme fosters female-led innovation in several ways:
- Strategic access to Copernicus data: Participants benefit from open access to high-value data, enabling them to develop innovative solutions to local challenges such as climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and disaster risk management.
- Personalised coaching: Participants receive ten hours of free coaching from experts in Earth observation, entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting them in turning ideas into concrete and viable solutions.
- Creativity stimulation: Women are encouraged to explore new applications of space data to address market needs and solve specific problems.
- Support at all stages of development: The programme welcomes projects at all stages, from initial concepts to market-ready products, allowing participants to progress at their own pace.
- Partnerships and networking: Through the Dunia platform, participants can collaborate with EU-based companies, opening doors to cross-border innovation.
- Targeted training: Workshops and practical sessions strengthen skills in data analysis, business development and the application of Copernicus data.
The programme is part of a strategic partnership with the Women in GMES & Africa network, and is fully aligned with the African Union’s values and Agenda 2063.
What innovative ideas can emerge from this programme?
The framework provided by the programme enables the emergence of concrete, high-impact initiatives, such as:
- Optimising agricultural yields using data on soil, weather and water resources (sustainable agriculture)
- Sustainable monitoring and management of forests, protected areas and natural resources (natural resource management)
- Early warning systems for natural disasters to better protect vulnerable communities (climate resilience)
- Smart urban planning for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities (urban development)
- Monitoring environmental impacts on public health, such as air quality or the spread of climate-related diseases (public health)
- Identifying optimal locations for solar or wind energy projects using satellite data (renewable energy)
- Developing digital or mobile applications based on Copernicus data (technological innovation)
Key takeaways
- Access to Copernicus data to foster local innovation
- Personalised coaching from EO and business experts
- Targeted training on practical space data applications
- Support for all stages of entrepreneurial development
- Networking opportunities and cross-border partnerships
- Alignment with Agenda 2063 and African Union values
About the Women in GMES & Africa network
Launched in March 2022 by the African Union Commission, the Women in GMES & Africa network brings together African women active in Earth observation (EO) and the space sector. It aims to: Tackle the underrepresentation of women in STEM, especially in the space industry Strengthen women’s participation and leadership in this growing field Position women as key actors in emerging opportunities linked to national space agencies, startups and satellite projects
This network supports the African Union’s strategic goals and Agenda 2063, by promoting technological development and women’s entrepreneurship in the space domain.
The Global Gateway
The Global Gateway is a flagship initiative of the European Union that supports sustainable, high-quality investment in infrastructure worldwide. It promotes: Projects aligned with environmental, social and governance standards Improved connectivity in key sectors such as digital, energy, transport, health and education
In parallel, the Global Gateway supports the use of Earth observation data – through programmes such as Copernicus and GMES & Africa – to boost innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in Africa.
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