Digital and data economy (particularly geo spatial data) have the potential to bring large-scale improvements in areas such as sustainable investments and government services to citizens. The session was structured around two case studies:
- The Digital Innovation Hub in Senegal that aims to provide services linked to earth observation (example : monitoring of agriculture through geospatial data to achieve food security)
- A Data management Tool Project in Latin America based on a multi-dimensionnal approach (climate, due diligences,risk) to better allocate the financial support toward sustainable investments (energy, agriculture)
The session presented the impacts of such solutions and raised specific issues (ethical, governance frameworks) in order to interact with the participants.
Synopsis
Challenges for the future use of geospatial data range from helping banks to make sustainable investment decisions to increasing the number of women in space, the panel heard. The three main priorities for regions including Africa and Latin America are accessing data, using the data to develop new tools, and training people to master and use the data. The panel concluded that geospatial data has enormous power and potential, and that Africa is leading the way for Europe in many cases when it comes to innovation.
