Consortia

The Programme is currently implemented by eight Consortia of institutions representing the African continent’s Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern and Central regions.




Water Management and Natural Resources in central Africa (GERNAC)

Rational 

Central Africa is a region with abundant water and natural resources. However, managing these resources has been inadequate, resulting in environmental degradation and socio-economic challenges. The GERNAC project aims to address these challenges by improving the region’s monitoring and management of water and natural resources. Through capacity building, awareness raising, and training, the project seeks to empower stakeholders to manage these resources sustainably, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development of Central Africa.

Consortium Leader

International Commission for the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin (CICOS) - Congo.

Focus

The general objective is to monitor the main impacts of the dynamics of flooded areas in the Central Cuvette on runoff, climate change and biodiversity. The three main applications are:

  1. Monitoring of water resources, with particular emphasis on the evolution of water levels for river navigation
  2. Monitoring the hydrological balance of the sub-basins of the Central African region
  3. Monitoring the dynamics of flooded areas under the forests of the Central Cuvette.

Members

  1. International Commission for the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin (CICOS), Congo (Lead)
  2. Lake Chad Basin Commission - Chad
  3. Central African Forests Satellite Observatory - Congo
  4. University of Kinshasa - DRC
  5. Central African Forest Commission - Cameroon
  6. Waterways Management Authority - DRC
  7. Center for Research on Water and Climate Change - Cameroon
  8. Burundi Geographic Institute - Burundi
  9. National Institute for the Conservation of the Environment - Equatorial Guinea
  10. National Office of Technical Studies and Development - Côte d’Ivoire

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)

https://www.cicos.int/


Sustainable Wetlands and Flood Management in West Africa (GDZHIAO)

Rational

The GDZHIAO project aims to help decision-makers and stakeholders manage wetlands and floods in West Africa. Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide resources for food security, water supply, and cultural and recreational activities, but they are vulnerable to degradation from factors such as climate change, deforestation, and urbanization. The project seeks to provide tools, processes, and data to effectively monitor and manage wetlands, monitor and evaluate floods at several scales, and establish a harmonized legislative and regulatory framework for managing these environments in the ECOWAS space.

Consortium Leader

Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE) - Senegal.

Coverage

The project covers ten (10) West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Focus

The project utilizes earth observation data to increase the resilience of ecosystems to climate change, contributing to food security for populations living near rich and sensitive ecosystems. Beneficiaries and users are provided with quality products on:

  1. Surface water dynamics (water bodies)
  2. Surface water turbidity
  3. Invasive aquatic vegetation
  4. Dynamic mapping of mangroves
  5. Monitoring and mapping of flood-prone and flooded areas
  6. Early warning.

Members

  1. Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE) - Senegal (Lead)
  2. National Water Institute (NWI) - Benin
  3. Institute of Geography of Burkina (IGB) - Burkina-Faso
  4. Volta Basin Authority (VBA) - Burkina Faso
  5. Higher Institute of Spatial and Telecommunications Studies (ISESTEL)- Burkina Faso
  6. University Research and Application Center in Remote Sensing (CURAT) – Côte d’Ivoire
  7. Center for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services (CERSGIS) - Ghana
  8. Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Ghana
  9. University of Ghana (UG) - Ghana
  10. Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPW) - Gambia
  11. National Directorate of Living Environment, Surveillance, and Environmental Observation (DNCSOE) - Guinea.
  12. National Directorate of Water and Forests (DNEF) - Mali
  13. Division of Wildlife, Hunting and Protected Areas (DFC/AP) - Niger
  14. Space for Humanity Foundation - Nigeria
  15. National Parks Directorate - Senegal
  16. Center for Space Science and Technology Education (CSSTE) – Nigeria

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)

gdzhao-blog.com


Marine and Coastal Observations for Southern Africa and The Indian Ocean (MARCOSIO)

Rational

Coastal management requires continuous monitoring by governments and decision-makers to plan and mitigate risks. By providing readily available tools, processes, and data, stakeholders can respond more effectively. Supporting and empowering local communities to use their ocean resources will create long-term sustainability and secure their livelihoods for the future.

MarCOSIO aims to support Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean regions through a multi-pronged approach that offers critical near-real-time information to governments, decision-makers, private sectors, scientists, and local communities. The project empowers stakeholders to manage and plan effectively towards the sustainable management of African oceans by providing informed marine coastal management practices.

Consortium Leader

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – South Africa.

Focus

The MarCOSIO project provides and implements co-designed decision-making services to promote sustainable management of marine resources, improve marine governance, and stimulate the growth of the blue economy in the South and East African regions.

Members

  1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – South Africa (Lead)
  2. ABALOBI research group - South Africa
  3. Benguela Current Convention - Namibia
  4. Coastal Oceans Research and Development Indian Ocean - Kenya
  5. Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines - Madagascar
  6. Institute for Marine Science - Tanzania
  7. Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute - Kenya
  8. Mauritius Oceanography Institute - Mauritius
  9. National Sea Rescue Institute - South Africa
  10. Tanzania Fisheries and Research Institute - Tanzania
  11. University of Eduardo Mondlane - Mozambique
  12. West Indian Ocean Marine Science Association - Tanzania

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)


Monitoring Natural Resources and Food Security in Eastern Africa

Rational 

The Eastern Africa region remains one of the most vulnerable, with persistent food and nutritional insecurity, widespread economic hardships, resources and political conflicts, irregular and illegal migration and social hardships. With severe climatic changes and environmental degradation and heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock, the region is prone to persistent extremes of severe droughts and flooding.

Mitigating the effects of drought and environmental degradation, boosting agricultural production, sustainable management of natural resources and protecting the environment are part of the region’s priorities. ICPAC, via the GMES and Africa project, ensures resilient livelihoods and sustains the region’s economic growth.

Consortium Leader

IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre (ICPAC) - Kenya.

Focus

In line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and Space Agenda, the consortia facilitate access and utilization of Earth Observation data and technologies for sustainable development in the area of Natural Resource and Food Security Management in the East Africa region.

During the second phase of GMES & Africa, in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and Space Agenda, the consortium will advance access and utilization of Earth Observation data and technologies for sustainable development in the area of Natural Resource and Food Security Management in the East Africa region.

Members 

  1. IGAD Climate Prediction & Applications Centre (ICPAC) - Kenya (Lead)
  2. Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) - Kenya
  3. Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS) - Tanzania
  4. Makerere University - Uganda
  5. Ministry of Land, Water and Environment - Eritrea
  6. Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range - Somalia
  7. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) - Uganda

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)

https://gmes.icpac.net/


Earth Observation for Sustainable Management of Water and Natural Resources in North Africa 

Rational 

North Africa faces major challenges such as drought, and desertification. 70% of water use in the region is for irrigation. The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and its partners aim to improve water and natural resource management through capacity building, awareness, and using EO data and tools. The agriculture and land degradation services provided by the project improve communities’ quality of life by minimizing food importation, reaching higher levels of food security, and having more land for agriculture by combating land degradation.

Consortium Leader

Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) - Tunisia.

Coverage

Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Focus

Three (03) services were developed under the project:
  1. Seasonal Agriculture Monitoring and Early Warning (>MISBAR).
  2. Estimating withdrawals and Water Use Monitoring in irrigated areas (>MISBAR)
  3. Land Degradation Monitoring (>MISLAND).

The participatory approach involving end users in the service development process and the strong commitment of project partners has made it possible to develop two operational and complementary platforms hosting GeoServices, in particular MISLAND for land degradation monitoring and MISBAR for seasonal agriculture monitoring and agricultural water use.

Members

  1. Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS) - Tunisia (Lead)
  2. UN-affiliated African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education- in French Language (CRASTE-LF) - Morocco
  3. Regional Remote Sensing Center for North African States (CRTEAN) - Tunisia
  4. National Center for Cartography and Remote Sensing (CNCT) - Tunisia
  5. Desert Research Center (DRC) - Egypt
  6. Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences - Libya
  7. University of Nouakchott Al-Aasriya – Mauritania
  8. TENMIYA NGO - Mauritania

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)


Land degradation an Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment in Eastern Africa

Rational 

The primary goal of the GMES and Africa project at RCMRD is to improve the livelihoods of African communities by supporting the decision-making process using Earth observation data.

Consortium Leader

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) - Nairobi.

Coverage

Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Focus

The project focuses on the following programme priorities:
  1. Land Degradation Monitoring and Assessment
  2. Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment
  3. Open Geographical Regional Reference Vector Database for Water and Agro-Ecological Zonings.
These applications are available to decision-makers and end-users to empower communities to change their livelihoods positively. This information is critical to the region’s policy formulation and sustainable natural resource management.

Members 

  1. Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) - Kenya (Lead)
  2. Makerere University – Uganda
  3. Ethiopia Space Technology and Geospatial Institute (ESTGI) - Ethiopia
  4. Rwanda Water Resources Board - Rwanda
  5. Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR) - Sudan
  6. Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) - Kenya
  7. Ministry of Land, Water and Environment - Eritrea
  8. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Department of GIS, Remote Sensing and Cartography - South Sudan
  9. Cellule Cartographie de la DATUH Mapping Unit - Comoros
  10. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development - Djibouti
  11. Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) -Tanzania
  12. Almaas University - Somalia

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)


Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Services for Transboundary Basins in Southern Africa (WeMAST)

Rational

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide numerous benefits, including water regulation, carbon sequestration, and habitat for various species. However, these ecosystems are threatened by human activities, climate change, and other factors. In response, GMES and Africa launched the Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Service for Transboundary Basins in Southern Africa (WeMAST) project.

Consortium Leader

Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) - Namibia.

Focus

The project aims to operationalize the WeMAST Geoportal to better manage wetlands in Southern Africa, benefiting government, researchers, and industry. It supports evidence-based decision-making, planning, and policy formulation for sustainable wetland management.

The WeMAST Phase II action aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Abidjan Declaration, which direct investment towards sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems. The project addresses SADC policy priorities and strategies in the water sector, including sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources, effective management of the environment, gender equality, youth empowerment, and disaster risk management, as outlined in SADC Vision 2050’s strategic objectives.

Members

  1. Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) - Namibia (Lead)
  2. University of Botswana - Botswana
  3. University of Western Cape - South Africa
  4. University of Zambia - Zambia
  5. University of Namibia - Namibia
  6. Midlands State University - Zimbabwe
  7. National Remote Sensing Centre - Zambia
  8. WaterNet, SADC - Bostwana

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)


Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa (MarCNoWA)

Rational

Marine and coastal areas in West and North Africa are critical to the livelihoods of millions of people, providing food, income, and other essential resources. However, the region faces significant challenges in managing these resources sustainably. Illegal fishing, oil pollution, safety at sea, and coastal erosion are some issues that threaten the marine and coastal environment. MarCNoWA provides decision-makers with Earth observation information and tools for effectively managing regional marine and coastal resources.

Consortium Leader

University of Ghana (UG) - Ghana.

Coverage

The MarCNoWA project covers 18 coastal countries in West and North Africa, including Algeria, Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tunisia and Togo.

Focus

  • Monitoring and Forecasting of Oceanographic Variables
  • Coastline Changes (Coastal Ecosystems Mapping and Monitoring, Coastal Vulnerability Mapping)
  • Oil Spills Monitoring and Warning
  • Mapping of PFZs & Vessel Traffic
  • Forecast of Ocean State and Ocean Weather Conditions

Members

  1. University of Ghana (UG) - Ghana (Lead)
  2. Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) - Nigeria
  3. Centre Universitaire De Recherche d’Application en Télédétection (CURAT)- Cote d’Ivoire.
  4. Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Oc̩anologiques du B̩nin (IRHOB) РBenin.
  5. Centre for Oceanographic Research of Dakar-Thiaroye (CRODT) - Senegal
  6. Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) - Ghana
  7. Centre for the Environment for Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) - Egypt
  8. Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche des Té lé communications (CERT) – Tunisia
  9. Chouaib Doukkali University (UCD) - Morocco
  10. Nature Today (NT) – Ghana
  11. Edenway Foundation - Ghana

Website(s) and/or Geoportal(s)













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