## 1 Introduction
### Background
A demonstration of how some of these applications can address AU-Agenda 2063 is given in Figure 1. Although it has not been fully exploited in Africa, most African countries are increasingly adopting EO and Geospatial technologies to support their sustainable development agendas and addressing data gaps. An increasing recognition of, and investment in, space technologies, including EO, is evidenced by several African countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Gabon, who have established their own space agencies and/or successfully launchedtheir own Earth observation satellites since the beginning of the 21 st century. In addition, there is increasing political will and awareness, as evidenced by the recent (in 2017) adoption of African Space Policy and Strategy, aimed at coordinating and driving the African space program, which is responsive to the socioeconomic, political and environmental challenges, as well as the sustainable development aspirations of the continent as set out in AU-Agenda 2063. In addition, most countries participate in the African Group on Earth Observations (AfriGEO) initiative to access and leverage EO-based activities on the continent. The success and sustainability of African emerging space agencies will in part be predicated on the scientific and technical expertise and competencies of their employees and users. Indeed, one of the key objectives highlighted in the African Space Policy is the development of the requisite human capital through existing institutions and infrastructure, which is critical to ensuring the widespread exploitation and use of space technologies. To advance this objective, the AU has identified the need to establish a Pan-African University on Space Science and Technology in South Africa that is aimed at providing advanced graduate training and research for African students. Apart from formal education and training through degree programs, development of human capital through capacity building is a critical component to the marketing of EO data, products and services in order to ensure wider use and increase self-sufficiency and access to information [7]. Essentially, the achievement of most African Space Policy objectives, such as addressing user needs, accessing space services, developing the regional market, adopting good governance and management, and promoting intra-Africa and other international cooperation hinges on robust capacity building in EO. Therefore, increasing the use of EO by specialists, students, researchers, professionals from various disciplines and decision makers through capacity building should be the main priority of emerging space agencies and similar institutions in order to take advantage of multiple immediate and downstream benefits of EO, which is critical for supporting national development plans, government mandates, legislative acts and regulations, policy and decision making as well as realizing AU-Agenda 2063 aspirations. These space agencies are well-positioned to address the multifaceted challenges of the continent. Figure 1: AU-Agenda 2063 First-Ten-Years Implementation Plan (FTYIP) priority areas and goals (first and second rings, respectively) that can be directly addressed by common Earth observation applications (outer ring). The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), an entity of Department of Science and Technology (DST), is mandated by the South African Space Agency Act, 36 of 2008, and National Space Strategy [8], to coordinate and integrate space science and technology programs, conduct long-term planning and implementation of space-related innovations in South Africa, and ensure the supply of cost-effective space-based EO data and products to support South Africa's policy, decision-making, economic growth and sustainable development.