Africa faces significant infrastructure development challenges, with a yearly financing gap of USD 68–108 billion identified by the African Development Bank Group. This funding deficit pertains to critical areas such as road, rail, port, air, water, power, and ICT infrastructure. The underdevelopment of transportation networks and limited energy access, where hundreds of millions live without electricity, hinder the region’s economic growth and social development. Additionally, poor connectivity and internet access further exacerbate these challenges.

To address these obstacles, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), with their capabilities for accurate positioning and navigation, present an unprecedented opportunity to bring about positive change. Thus, Space in Africa is hosting another edition of its webinar series, “Enhancing Infrastructure, Transportation, and Connectivity in Africa with GNSS,” on Thursday, 7 March 2024, to provide a deep understanding of these technologies and their benefits across sectors, including aviation, agriculture, maritime, and geo-information services. Furthermore, the technical aspects of GNSS and SBAS will be explored, unravelling the fundamental principles behind these systems and showcasing the contributions of satellite constellations such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou and the role of augmentation systems (such as SBAS) in enhancing accuracy and reliability will also be discussed.

Furthermore, the webinar will delve into the practical applications of GNSS/SBAS in addressing transportation challenges, improving infrastructure, and facilitating the movement of goods and people. Case studies from various countries will be presented to highlight successful implementations. Regulatory frameworks and policies necessary for effective GNSS/SBAS implementation will be addressed, emphasising the importance of international collaborations and standards to facilitate seamless integration across borders.

Finally, the webinar will offer insights into future trends and innovations in GNSS/SBAS technologies, including their integration with emerging technologies like IoT and AI, providing a forward-looking perspective on their potential impact across sectors.

Webinar Objectives 

  1. Educational Understanding: The webinar will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and their relevance in Africa. 
  2. Sector-Specific Applications: The webinar will showcase practical applications of GNSS/SBAS in various sectors, including aviation, agriculture, maritime, and geo-information services.
  3. Case Studies and Success Stories: The event will present real-world case studies and success stories from different countries, demonstrating the positive impact of GNSS/SBAS implementations.
  4. Regulatory and Policy Considerations: The webinar will address the regulatory frameworks and policy considerations necessary to effectively implement GNSS/SBAS technologies in Africa.
  5. Forward-Looking Perspective: The webinar will provide insights into future trends and innovations in GNSS/SBAS technologies, including potential integration with emerging technologies like IoT and AI.
  6. Promote Awareness and Advocacy: The event will help to raise awareness about the benefits of GNSS/SBAS technologies and advocate for their strategic integration into national development plans and policies. 

Speakers 

  1. Dr Lasisi Salami Lawal, Acting General Manager, Technical Services; HOD, Navigation; SBAS PM & NigComSat-2 Payload Line Manager
  2. Vivien Dovonon,  ANGA Programme Expert
  3. Herbert Ngaya, GNSS Expert, SatNav Africa Joint Programme Office (JPO)
  4. Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst, Space in Africa

Important Information

  1. Webinar Date: Thursday, 7 March 2024.
  2. Venue: Zoom.
  3. Duration – 60 minutes (Ihr) – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (GMT).
  4. To learn more about the webinar, please click here.