Planet and the Government of Rwanda Launch First-of-its-Kind National Satellite Data Program in Africa

Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of daily Earth data, has partnered with the Rwanda Government to launch an innovative national satellite data program. This marks the first of its kind in Africa. Managed by the Rwanda Space Agency, the program will utilize Planet’s near-daily satellite data to aid in various governmental efforts. These include monitoring agriculture and food security, tracking forest health and resilience, refining urban planning and zoning, and informing disaster planning, response, and recovery.

This initiative is aimed at providing Planet’s imagery and data to public universities for undergraduate student training and advanced Earth Observation research. Furthermore, specific startups focused on national interests and working with government agencies will utilize Planet’s daily feeds to promote inclusive economic development.

Andrew Zolli, Chief Impact Officer at Planet, praised Rwanda for its leadership in African innovation and highlighted how this program demonstrates the direct support Planet’s data can provide to national goals such as disaster planning, education programs, and natural resource protection.

Planet’s data supports a range of civil use cases, including disaster preparedness and response, urban planning and development, and agriculture and resource management. More information about this program can be found on Planet Pulse. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet specializes in providing global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. The company is committed to imaging the world every day and making change visible, accessible, and actionable.