Kenya now has access to cutting-edge satellite data for climate monitoring, following its membership in the Space Climate Observatory network.
The Kenya Space Agency’s membership, formalised when Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey signed the SCO Charter during the Living Planet Symposium in Vienna, represents a new chapter in the country’s climate adaptation strategy.
The SCO, a global initiative led by the French National Centre for Space Studies CNES unites space agencies, research institutions, and organisations to enhance Earth observation capabilities and combat climate change.
Kenya’s accession was facilitated through collaboration with Expertise France under the Data Governance in Africa D4DataGOV programme, supported by the European Union, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, and Germany, in partnership with the African Union Commission.
The Space Climate Observatory serves as a hub for international cooperation, combining satellite data with ground-based research to track key climate indicators, including deforestation, drought, and rising sea levels.
Kenya’s inclusion aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and reinforces the continent’s commitment to leveraging space technology for environmental sustainability.
This partnership also highlights the success of the D4DataGOV programme, which promotes data-driven governance and innovation across Africa.
By facilitating Kenya’s SCO integration, the initiative emphasises the importance of cross-border data sharing in addressing shared climate risks.
With SCO membership, Kenya is more equipped to strengthen early warning systems for extreme weather events, improve agricultural monitoring to combat food insecurity, and support conservation efforts through advanced Earth observation.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/06/28/kenya-space-agency-joins-space-climate-observatory-network-to-strengthen-climate-resilience-in-africa/