Reclaiming Africa’s Data Future: Dr Lisa Rabello on Earth Observation, Access & Ownership

--:--
This week on the Social Impact Show, Sam Marshall speaks to Dr Lisa Maria Rabello, Acting Managing Director of Digital Earth Africa, about the game-changing role of Earth observation data across the continent.

Launched in 2019 with a bold vision to make satellite data accessible to all Africans, Digital Earth Africa is now powering everything from coastal resilience in Ghana to urban management in Johannesburg. Hosted on the cloud in Cape Town, their data infrastructure is enabling African-led innovation in policy, science, and education — with over 30,000 users and growing.

In this episode, Dr Rabello explains:
🌍 Why accessibility—not availability—was Africa’s biggest data barrier
🌍 How DEA tools are helping local governments make better decisions
🌍 The critical role of women, youth, and universities in building the continent’s geospatial future

Plus: exciting news about DEA’s extended funding from the Helmsley Charitable Trust — and what the next 10 years of Earth observation in Africa could look like.

🎧 Tune in and discover why Africa is not just consuming data — but producing and leading with it.
1 May English South Africa Business · Non-Profit

Other recent episodes

Empowerment Without Support Is a Leadership Illusion – with Juanita Vorster

In this episode, Samm Marshall speaks with independent business advisor and strategist Juanita Vorster about her eye-opening article, "Empowerment Without Support Is a Leadership Illusion." Together, they unpack why delegation without the right tools, authority, and structure leads to stalled projects, frustrated teams, and false expectations. Juanita explores the deeper…
4 Jun 30 min

The Wealth Zen | What the Interest Rate Cut Means for You

On this week’s episode of The Wealth Zen with Charmaine Soobramoney and Samm Marshall, we break down the South African Reserve Bank’s latest interest rate cut and what it really means for your money. Will your bond repayment go down? What about the cost of living? Is now the time…
4 Jun 52 min

McDonald’s to Michelin Stars: CATHSSETA CEO on SA’s Culinary Talent Pipeline

Rwaldo Lottering went from unemployed to overseas chef in 3 years—thanks to CATHSSETA’s revolutionary training model. On this Social Impact Show episode, Marks Thibela breaks down: 🔪 Why this works: Earn-while-you-learn: Stipends + work placements at top hotels/restaurants. Internationally recognized NQF Level 5 trade test (key for global jobs). Women…
4 Jun 38 min

From R1 Trillion BEE Flops to JSE Boom: Kanthan Pillay’s Radical Fixes for SA

Why does SA’s economy reward the same 100 people while 60% of youth sit jobless? Kanthan Pillay—author of How to Fix South Africa—breaks down: 🔍 The BEE reckoning: How Malaysia’s race-based policy failed (vs. Singapore’s meritocracy). Prof. Gumede’s bombshell: ‘R1 trillion moved, zero mass upliftment.’ The fix: Shift criteria to…
4 Jun 19 min