Where does your interest in water and space technologies come from?
My interest in the application of space technologies in water investigations arises from recognizing the crucial role these can play in the optimal and integrated management of natural resources by offering innovative solutions and tools that can be applied to water resource management. Space technologies provide critical information about water availability, its quality, and spatial distribution.
My interest dates back to the early 2000s, from the involvement of our research team in the TIGER initiative. The project was launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) following the recommendations of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. It aimed to assist African countries in overcoming problems faced in the collection, analysis, and use of water-related geo-information by exploiting the advantages of Earth Observation (EO) technology.
Did any event in particular inspire you to work on water issues?
Considered essential to life, if not life itself, water faces many challenges. In recent years, several events and trends have spurred increased attention and action in addressing water-related challenges.
Originating from a region of the globe (North Africa) marked by water scarcity and environmental disasters in relation to water (floods, drought, etc.), phenomena increasingly accentuated by Climate Change, the problems of water management have always aroused my interest. Especially, for my country, Morocco, water is a strategic priority, and the government continues to put in place policies and programs aimed at improving water management, guaranteeing access to water for all, and meeting the challenges linked to the scarcity of water resources. Research and Innovation constitute one of the pillars of this policy.
Please tell us about your experience in water and its links to policy.
I served as an expert/consultant in feasibility studies and technical reports for some international organizations like the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). I also served as a peer reviewer for continental programs like the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and the Africa Initiative coordinated by the African Union with the support of the European Commission, and the Digital Belt and Road program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I had the opportunity to initiate and lead numerous research projects focused on remote sensing applications in water management, where I involved an extensive network of international partners. In terms of scientific production, I supervised several engineers, master's and PhD theses, authors and co-authors of numerous publications and scientific papers.
What makes you most excited about your work?
The excitement in working with remote sensing of the environment, with a particular focus on water management often stems from the opportunities it provides to contribute meaningfully to understanding, preserving, and sustainably managing the resource for current and future generations.
Exchange and interaction with scientists, decision-makers, or data users at the Conference of the Parties (CoP) allows sharing experiences and exchanging points of view to propose innovative solutions for society.
The successful completion of research work with scientific production and dissertation supervision of theses. The proposal of solutions to end users in relation to their needs for issues relating to water resources, particularly in the field of irrigation management for farmers.
As the President of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE), how does a typical workday look like? What are the achievements you are proud of at the end of a year? What are the main challenges in balancing national, regional, and international interests?
I should just point out that in addition to my duties as President of AARSE, I carry out my tasks in my work as a full professor at Chouaib Doukkali University in Morocco. My job consists of carrying out educational and administrative tasks within the university, supervising students, and supervising the scientific research activities of my research team.
Regarding AARSE, I would like to point out that I have been involved in the association since 2008. I held the position of Secretary-General from 2012 to 2018, when I became president. As president of AARSE, I’m considered the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, with the authority and responsibility for implementing the directions and guidelines set by the constitution and the Executive Committee of AARSE on matters of the Association. Among the tasks assigned to me, I can cite, among other things:
- Work to promote the creation of an enabling environment for Africa to derive benefits from and contribute to international Space Science and Technology (SST) and application programs.
- Assist the members of the Association as well as national, regional, and international user communities through the timely dissemination of scientific, technical, policy, and programme information in all aspects of SST.
- Promote greater cooperation and coordination of efforts among African countries, institutions, and industries in the development and applications of SST.
- Improve teaching and training in EO systems and geospatial information science, and collect, evaluate, and disseminate results and failures in remote sensing activities from all over the world.
Can you elaborate a bit on the work of AARSE, the challenges, and current achievements of the organisation?
The African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE) was founded in 1992 and incorporated in 2008 as an international NGO under Section 21 of the South African Companies Act (Act 61 of 1973). It is one of the oldest African continental organizations in the field of Earth Observation and Geospatial Information Sciences. The primary aim of AARSE is to increase the awareness of African governments and their institutions, the private sector, and society at large, about the empowering and enhancing benefits of developing, applying, and utilizing responsibly, the products and services of Earth Observation Systems and Geo-information Technology. To achieve its objectives, one of the very important activities of AARSE is the organization (every two years) of international conferences across Africa. In addition, the organization hosts other awareness and capacity-building activities. Up to date, AARSE has organized 14 of these conferences. The next one will be in Harare, Zimbabwe, in October 2026.
AARSE develops several partnerships with peer organizations such as the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IEEE-GRSS), the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), and intergovernmental organizations (African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Group on Earth Observations (GEO), etc.)
AARSE has been playing (and of course will continue to play) the key role in all regional and international programs and initiatives in Africa within its scientific fields of operations. AARSE puts all efforts to promote and contribute to the implementation of policies and future actions in the African framework at different scales from the continental to the local level, by utilizing the means at its disposal and the know-how of its members, as well as its networks.
How can we best approach the identification of user needs with regards to capacity building on remote sensing for water in Africa? Whom do you need to talk to and cooperate with, to learn about the status quo and get reliable information as a starting point? Is there a coordinated approach to assessing user needs of the water sector (including research and actual management) towards the space sector?
Water management is an issue in which several actors and stakeholders can intervene. I think that identifying user needs for capacity building on remote sensing for water in Africa requires an inclusive and collaborative approach involving various stakeholders. It will be essential for accurately identifying user needs and developing effective capacity-building programs in remote sensing for water management in Africa. It would be very useful, for example, to draw up a plan for tailored capacity building based on the needs expressed by the different stakeholders in the different management chains from exploration to processing of the resource until distribution and exploitation.
The African context is a little specific, given the diversity of the political and socio-economic context of African countries. A multidimensional approach would be judicious through a stakeholder analysis, a collaboration with research institutions by conducting workshops and establishing partnerships with space agencies, and utilizing the existing networks and developing a coordinated plan of work.
Based on your experience in fostering scientific and regional exchange, how do you create non-fiscal incentives for users to share their needs, for community building? How do you start?
I think that fostering scientific and regional exchange requires creating a supportive and trusting environment that can encourage users to express and share their needs to facilitate community-building. For that, I suppose that it will be a useful thing to put a strategy in place to create non-fiscal incentives for users. This strategy could, for example, be based on a campaign of recognition and visibility. Additionally, working on dissemination based on networking opportunities.
We must think about setting up, of course, in consultation with end users, skill development plans, and joint projects, allowing access to the resources, and also creating community engagement events. Ultimately, think about creating feedback mechanisms for possible tuning during the life of the action.
I think that the implementation of an integrated strategy combining these elements can create a dynamic and engaging environment that can motivate users to share their needs, collaborate, and contribute actively to the community's growth and success.
What do you believe other regions can learn from the Sahel region in terms of space technology for hydrology, water (resource) management, and ecosystem preservation, and where lie the region’s biggest challenges in that field?
The Sahel, considered one of the driest regions of the Globe, faces significant challenges related to water resource management, hydrology, and ecosystem preservation. While it may not be considered a leader in space technology, there are lessons and opportunities that other regions can learn from Sahel's experiences.
With regard to resource availability, the region faces significant water scarcity, which can be addressed through the use of satellite technology to efficiently monitor water resources. Several works have been carried out on these subjects, and other regions can learn from Sahel's utilization of such approaches for assessing water availability, tracking changes in water bodies, and improving water resource management. Some projects in the region include the establishment of early warning systems for droughts and floods, based on satellite data, that can help in timely response and mitigation efforts. Such a system could contribute to the establishment of similar systems in other regions across the globe to anticipate and manage the impact of extreme weather events.
Despite these opportunities, the Sahel region faces several challenges. This can be linked to the necessary infrastructure and the need for extensive investment of financial resources in space technology and related projects, capacity building, particularly in training local experts to effectively utilize satellite data for practical applications. Additional challenges are related to political and socioeconomic instability and difficulties in accessing and integrating accurate, timely satellite data with local information for more comprehensive analyses.
So, we can say that the Sahel region offers valuable experiences in leveraging space technology for water resource management and ecosystem preservation, addressing challenges related to infrastructure, capacity building, political stability, and data accessibility, which is crucial for sustained progress. Other regions can draw inspiration from both the successes and obstacles faced by the Sahel as they seek to enhance their own capabilities in these areas. In this regard, we must pay tribute to the regional organizations in charge of implementing such actions, such as the Centre Climatique Régional pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest et le Sahel (AGRHYMET) and the African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
You are a member of the working group mandated by the African Union Commission to establish the African space policy and strategy. Africa is a gigantic, diverse, and rich continent, accommodating 55 Member States under one umbrella strategy is probably not an easy task - can you share a few points that one needs to consider in such an endeavour? How far into the future were you thinking with this strategy? What scenarios were taken into account? How long do we need to wait until the implementation of the strategy starts?
Indeed, I served in the working group (WG) to establish space policy and strategy. The work of the WG has demonstrated the value that space science and technology can bring to Africa in the four key areas, namely (i) Earth observation, (ii) navigation and positioning, (iii) satellite communications, and (iv) space science and astronomy. The aim was to enthuse our political principles and decision-makers on the value and benefits of space science and technology in addressing the manifold socio-economic challenges for Africa. The space strategy was adopted by the summit of African heads of state and government in 2016, who agreed upon the statute underlying the African Space Agency (AfSA) in 2018 as a regional space organization established by the African Union (AU) to promote cooperation between the space policies of the AU's member states.
I would like to raise the importance of the integration of space technology as well as new information technologies for the development of the continent. For Africa, this is essential, sometimes even unavoidable, for monitoring the environment and the management of natural resources. Africa is one of the most important continents: the world’s second-largest continent, the second most populous continent, with a vast land area with difficult terrain. So, the geospatial information is critical to support environment and natural resources management for the protection of life and property and sustainable socio-economic development of Africa.
The benefits from space infrastructure are becoming more evident in the management of long-term and significant challenges faced by modern society in Africa. And I think that such a structure, like the African Space Agency (AfSA), can play a key role in the coordination between space programs and related activities in Africa.
You participated in the drafting of the Scientific Plan for the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) program, launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the framework of the "Silk Road" initiative. Does the scientific plan touch upon water, and if so, in which way? What are the water-related scientific plans in that context? And what role does remote sensing play with regard to those?
The Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) program was proposed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to support The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (Belt & Road) Initiative launched by the Chinese government in 2013 to connect China with more than 60 countries, representing more than a third of the global economy and more than half the world's population. This is an international science program for promoting cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road to advocate and demonstrate the applications of big Earth data in support of the sustainable development of people and economies at local, national, and regional levels.
The extensive geographical scope of the “Belt and Road initiative (BRI) calls for smart uses and applications of Big Earth Data in the design, development and implementation of diverse projects related to infrastructure improvement, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, urban development, food security, coastal zone management, and the conservation and management of natural and cultural heritage sites. DBAR is committed to implementing projects and actions relevant to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. It will also strive to integrate green, low-carbon, and sustainable approaches to social and economic growth that are vital for the implementation of the Paris Agreement (2015).
The activities of the program are structured around seven Working Groups (WG) and the International Center of Excellence (ICoE), which can make contributions during the term of DBAR and help in making DBAR’s further development possible and sustainable. Among the WGs, one is dedicated to water resources with an ICoE based at the University of El Jadida in Morocco.
DBAR-Water WG aims to study water resources and water use in BRI countries using EO data. This involves investments in building capacity to use EO data for water resources assessment and management in BRI countries while strengthening international cooperation. Such efforts have generated scientific evidence among working group partners and information critical to the sustainable use of water resources in BRI countries. Relevant topics addressed include water, climate and environment, agriculture, disasters, high mountains, and the Arctic.
You have carried out research within the context of the TIGER Project, from 2005 to 2017, the project “Water for life in Africa”, which has established and supported capacity building activities and development projects involving some 42 African countries. Can you elaborate on the TIGER project, its approach, and what the key insights of the project were?
The TIGER initiative can be considered one of the pioneering projects in the application of EO in the management of water resources in Africa. It is a program that has been carried out over more than 10 years since its launch in 2004 and has enabled many African partners to benefit from capacity building and free access to data at a time when the appropriation of satellite data was difficult for African researchers. The contribution of the initiative combined two essential aspects:
- In terms of networking, the program constituted a user-driven approach, seeking advice and leadership from African experts and decision makers for strategic guidance and local expertise. TIGER has involved and collaborated with more than 150 African institutions (water authorities, universities, technical centers) through research and development projects as well as training activities. Regular TIGER workshops (from 2003 to 2016) were organized to bring together African stakeholders of the water sector, involving scientists, technical experts, and decision makers interested in the use of EO for water resource management. TIGER has been represented at international symposia to exchange experiences made with the use of EO and involve further African institutions.
- Concerning the training and capacity building, a lot of actions are dedicated to supporting African partners (water authorities, technical centers, universities) to advance towards independent capacity to exploit EO technology to improve knowledge on water resources and climate change. This contributed to building a critical mass of technical centers in Africa with the skills and capabilities to derive and disseminate space-based water-relevant information for scientific research and management at regional, national, and local scales. TIGER also supported training by research through the establishment of one-year scientific fellowships. Six research projects led by African scientists selected from the TIGER network were supported to carry out work during scientific visits to European research institutes.
Our research team learned a lot from this initiative. We were fortunate to benefit from the contributions made by the TIGER program throughout all its phases. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the European Space Agency (ESA) for this initiative.
What can we learn about the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES and Africa) implemented under the coordination of the commission of the African Union, with the support of the European Commission? What are the challenges addressed and lessons learned?
The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES and Africa) represents the first Pan-African Earth Observation programme for sustainable development. GMES and Africa Support Programme is the crystallization of the longstanding cooperation between Africa and Europe in space science and technology, which is one of the key priorities of the long-term EU-Africa Joint Strategy. 51 African countries are involved with 122 institutions from different horizons, governmental, regional, public, and professional academia. It is based on four pillars: data and structure, development of services, capacity building, and communication, sustainability, and transfer of technology.
The GMES and Africa process is aimed at promoting the development of local capacities, institutional, human, and technical resources for access to and exploitation of EO-based services on an operational basis.
The GMES and Africa Support Programme aims to improve the capacities of African policy-makers, planners, scientists, businesses, the private sector, and the general public to design, implement, and monitor national, regional, and continental policies, and to promote sustainable management of natural resources through the use of Earth Observation data and derived information.
In addition to significant financial support for partners, the programme responded to African needs concerning services related to water, natural resources, and marine and coastal areas. It has addressed the global needs to manage the environment, to ensure civil security, and to enable the implementation of the African Space Policy and Strategy.
What do you believe is the best way to foster scientific and regional collaboration?
Fostering scientific and regional collaboration constitutes an essential point for advancing knowledge, addressing global challenges, and promoting mutual understanding. Improving this collaboration could involve several actions, including: (1) the establishment of networking platforms, bringing together scientists, researchers, and experts from various regions, (2) Promoting open access to research by facilitating the sharing of research findings and data by promoting open-access publishing, (3) Encourage joint research projects, (4) Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex problems that require expertise from multiple fields and (5) Involve policymakers in discussions about the importance of scientific collaboration.
Implementing a combination of these strategies can create an environment conducive to scientific and regional collaboration, fostering innovation.
In your opinion, what has been the greatest advancement(s) made in space technologies for water over the past decade, globally and in Africa, respectively?
In recent years, a progress observed in the field of space technologies related to water application has continued to evolve. Great progress in the improvement of Earth Observation capabilities includes the development of satellites with very high-resolution sensors to monitor water resources, including water quality, availability, and changes in water bodies. Moreover, the development of remote sensing technologies allows for more accurate and detailed monitoring of water-related parameters such as soil moisture, precipitation, and evapotranspiration. The combination with the hydrological modeling has opened the field of investigation, enabling more accurate predictions of weather patterns, extreme events, and long-term climate changes that impact water resources. Precisely, this impact of climate change has pushed several countries to invest in non-conventional waters (e.g., reuse of wastewater and desalination of seawater). In this regard, research and development in space technologies have led to innovations in water purification. These technologies aim to improve water quality and sanitation, especially in regions facing water scarcity.
In Africa, some countries, like South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and recently Morocco, Angola, Ethiopia, etc., have been investing in space programs, contributing to improved monitoring of certain components of the environment, including the management of water resources. The use of satellite data in water management applications, especially assessing drought conditions, predicting floods, and monitoring water infrastructure, has been increasingly important for several African nations. A lot of effort has also been made to enhance the capacity of African scientists and institutions to use and benefit from space technologies.
What do you feel is missing in the current international debate on the use of space technology for sustainable water management/hydrology and ecosystem preservation?
I think that the international community must double its efforts to fill certain gaps that could be missing in the use of space technologies for sustainable water management, hydrology, and the preservation of ecosystems.
This could concern the implementation of certain actions, among which we could cite: (1) the establishment of frameworks for stronger international collaboration in space technology applications for water management, (2) ensuring equitable access to satellite data and technology, especially for developing countries. A special focus should be on capacity building in countries that lack expertise by setting up training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that can contribute to building local capabilities, (3) encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between all stakeholder’s and actors (space agencies, scientists and policymakers), (4) enhance public awareness and engaging communities in decision-making processes and (5) finally, of course, continuously innovate by investing in research and development.
Last, but not least, what is your favorite aggregate state of water?
Referring to the physical state of water, I must say that all 3 states (solid, liquid, vapor) allow the water cycle, and therefore, life on earth.
