Fostering Innovation in Space Technologies – Highlights from the IDA Workshop

From September 30th to October 2nd, 2024, the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), in partnership with the British High Commission in Kenya and the Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), hosted an International Discovery Activity (IDA) workshop at the Four Points by Sheraton, Nairobi. The workshop served as a pivotal platform to strengthen innovation and collaboration between Kenya and the United Kingdom in the realm of space technologies and applications.
The focus of the workshop was on identifying real-world use cases of space technology in sectors such as agriculture and food security, urban and spatial planning, and disaster management. It sought to establish long-term partnerships that could leverage space-driven innovations to address pressing challenges in these sectors.

Key Objectives

The workshop aimed to explore the potential of space technologies to address local and national challenges. It facilitated an in-depth discussion on Earth Observation (EO) technologies and how they can improve agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response in Kenya. Participants highlighted the importance of enhanced coordination, funding, and data sharing to unlock the full potential of EO technologies.
In agriculture, issues such as limited access to EO data and gaps in skills due to outdated curricula were identified as barriers to development. Urban planners highlighted the lack of affordable EO data as a challenge, particularly in mapping informal settlements. Similarly, disaster management teams called for improved access to near real-time EO data to boost response efforts.

Workshop Activities and Sector-Specific Solutions

1. Agriculture and Food Security

On the first day, the workshop focused on leveraging EO technologies for agriculture. Participants engaged in discussions and hands-on exercises on data accessibility, skills gaps, and connectivity challenges. The following key frameworks emerged:
- Earth Observation (EO): Awareness of available datasets and how to access them is limited. Stakeholders also lack awareness of the technology’s applications in agriculture, and crop models used are often developed abroad.
- Skills and Workforce: Educational curricula are outdated, and there is a lack of practical training and industry-academia linkages. Challenges also include inadequate funding for research and innovation.
- Connectivity: Limited infrastructure in rural areas poses a challenge in accessing digital products and services. Drone technology could address data needs, but there are resource and skill gaps in using high-resolution data.
Groups formed actionable proposals to address these challenges:
- Group 1 (Earth Observation): Proposed unlocking government funding, licensing data for multi-user access, and promoting successful EO use cases in agriculture.
- Group 2 (Funding): Suggested co-creating products and consolidating funding efforts from the government, private sector, and development partners.
The day emphasized the need for coordination, funding, and co-creation in agriculture through Earth Observation technologies.

2. Urban and Spatial Planning

On the second day, discussions focused on urban growth, data accessibility, and mapping informal settlements. Key areas included:
- EO Data Availability & Frequency: Limited access to current and historical data due to high costs hampers urban planning.
- Mapping & Data Application: EO data is essential for monitoring population dynamics, infrastructure planning, and climate resilience.
- Policy & Regulations: Comprehensive policies and better funding alignment are required to support EO-based projects.
Group proposals focused on data procurement, building university partnerships, and centralizing data-sharing efforts. The discussions highlighted the importance of machine learning and user-friendly tools for EO data application in urban planning.

3. Disaster Management

The third day centered on using EO technologies for disaster management. Participants identified the following key challenges:
- Timely and Quality EO Data: Real-time data is critical for effective disaster response, but funding and policy gaps persist.
- Incident Monitoring: Integration of various data sources like drone imagery and citizen science would improve damage assessments.
- Coordination and Connectivity: Enhanced collaboration and clear communication mechanisms are necessary for effective disaster response.
Groups proposed building a sustainable EO system for disaster response, establishing a centralized data agency, and developing early warning systems.

Key Recommendations

To ensure sustainable development through space technologies, the workshop made several recommendations:
a) For Agriculture and Food Security:
- Promote awareness of EO technologies and establish strong linkages among data providers, government, and end users.
- Invest in localized crop analytics to reduce reliance on foreign models.
b) For Urban and Spatial Planning:
- Develop policies for EO data usage and ensure data sharing across sectors.
- Foster university-industry partnerships to align education outcomes with market needs.
c) For Disaster Management:
- Establish a sustainable EO system for disaster response and encourage community involvement.
- Improve coordination mechanisms and invest in community awareness programs to enhance preparedness.
The IDA workshop marked a significant step in fostering innovation and collaboration between Kenya and the UK in the realm of space technologies. By addressing sector-specific challenges in agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management, the workshop laid the groundwork for actionable solutions and long-term partnerships. The Kenya Space Agency remains committed to promoting space-driven innovations that contribute to socio-economic growth.

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