The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has been appointed the ‘Long-Term Owner’ of the Digital Earth Africa program.
The appointment of the Nairobi-headquartered Centre, known as icipe, followed an open tender process to award a services contract for the transition to long-term ownership of the program.
DE Africa — funded by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust — is based on Geoscience Australia’s (GA) Digital Earth Australia program. It was GA that in 2019 provided the foundational support and funding (along with the Trust) required to establish DE Africa.
The appointment of icipe is another step on the way to establishing DE Africa as a fully African-owned and -sustained initiative beyond March 2028, when fiduciary oversight will be handed from GA to icipe.
“We are thrilled with the outcome,” said Alison Rose, Chief of Space Division at GA.
“icipe brings over 50 years of pan-African science-led development leadership, with expertise in designing, deploying, and maintaining scalable, secure, high-performance data platforms.
“icipe has demonstrated expertise in governance, leadership, resource mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, aligned with DE Africa’s mission and vision, making icipe uniquely positioned to ensure DE Africa’s continuity and growth beyond March 2028.”
Ms Rose also expressed her appreciation to the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability for its leadership as Interim Host since April 2024.
“We are honoured to be appointed Long Term Owner of Digital Earth Africa,” said Dr Abdou Tenkouano, Director General of icipe.
“Since 2011, icipe has been at the forefront of applying Earth observations (EO) to address Africa’s most pressing challenges, making us a natural partner to enhance the DE Africa program.
“Our vision for DE Africa is not simply to ‘own’ it, but to strategically integrate it into a collaborative ecosystem that secures its future and expands its impact.”
icipe will assume full operational management and delivery of DE Africa from 1 April 2026. The platform and its services will remain fully operational throughout the transition between December 2025 through March 2026, with continued support for stakeholders.
Icipe describes itself as seeking to deliver “nature-positive, affordable solutions to strengthen agri-food systems, improve global health, conserve biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change”.
Through this work, it has gained wide experience in utilising EO products, and developed capabilities in coastal erosion assessment, mangrove mapping and drought monitoring.
“Our commitment to retaining DE Africa’s identity as a pan-African initiative is paramount,” added Dr Tenkouano.
“We will prioritise African governance, leadership, user-driven science, partnerships, and capacity building to ensure the program remains relevant and responsive.
“We are confident that our strategic approach and unique positioning will ensure the program’s seamless continuity, accelerate and elevate its mission, and secure a sustainable future for DE Africa for years to come.”
