Biography
Esther W. Maina is a skilled geospatial and remote sensing expert with over five years of experience leveraging space-based technologies to advance food systems resilience, natural resource management, and policy development in Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and a Master’s in Space Entrepreneurship at the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability in Italy. As a Remote Sensing Expert at the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Esther leads projects that integrate Earth Observation (EO) data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and geospatial analytics to support evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development initiatives.
Her expertise extends to capacity development, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge transfer, key pillars in strengthening Africa’s institutional and human resource capabilities in the space sector. Esther has successfully participated in stakeholder mapping and national space skills audits that directly informed the development of Kenya’s Space Innovation Roadmap, creating a strategic framework for the growth of the space ecosystem. She has also supported the design and delivery of capacity-building programmes, mentorship initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms that empower early-career professionals, researchers, and policymakers across the continent.
She is a member of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), African Women in GIS, the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (Graduate Member), and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), where she contributes to the Space Technology for Earth Applications Working Group. She is also an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.
Esther has previously volunteered with the Africa Space Leadership Institute (ASLI), a leading institution focused on space policy, governance, and leadership development across the continent. She has represented Kenya in several international fora, including the UNOOSA Space4Water Stakeholders Meeting, the UN Symposium on Climate Change, and the UNOOSA Space4Women initiative. Her work bridges space technology, policy, and sustainable development, with a commitment to leveraging Earth Observation and digital innovation for impact-driven solutions in Africa and beyond.
