Dr Lisa-Maria Rebelo appointed as Acting Managing Director for Digital Earth Africa

Dr Lisa-Maria Rebelo has been appointed Acting Managing Director of the Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) Program Management Office (PMO), effective January 2025.

DE Africa is an innovative, pan-African platform designed to provide satellite imagery tailored to the African continent, and is used extensively by a diverse range of stakeholders across Africa.

Digital Earth Africa’s mission is to improve the lives of Africans by translating Earth observations (EO) into actionable insights that support sustainable development. The platform offers free and open access to over three decades of satellite imagery, providing decision-ready datasets to African governments, private industry, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations.

In the face of growing climate variability and resilience challenges, DE Africa plays a key role in helping African nations achieve national, regional, and international objectives, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Rebelo has served as Lead Scientist at DE Africa since 2022, overseeing a team of African and global scientists developing innovative Earth Observation-based tools and applications that enhance decision-making processes across the continent.

Imraan Saloojee, Contract Manager at RIIS (the interim host of the DE Africa PMO), expressed confidence in Rebelo’s appointment. “Dr Rebelo’s strong connections with key institutional players in both continental and global contexts, coupled with her deep understanding of the program’s objectives, make her exceptionally well-positioned to lead DE Africa. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving uptake and delivering impactful outcomes across the continent.”

With 20 years of experience in remote sensing across Africa and Asia, Rebelo is an active member of various scientific advisory groups. She has served as Vice Chair of the Ramsar Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel, Principal Investigator and Wetlands Coordinator for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s science team, and is a panel member for the Global Ocean Observing System’s Biology and Ecosystems Panel.

A citizen of Kenya, Rebelo is enthusiastic about her new leadership role. “While I will continue to lead the science team, it is a privilege to take on a broader leadership role in guiding the program’s critical areas, including capacity development, stakeholder engagement, platform management, program delivery, and communications. Together with our dedicated African team and partners, we are committed to unlocking and demonstrating the immense value that DE Africa offers to the continent.”

Rebelo holds a PhD in Remote Sensing from University College London.