The Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) is an autonomous federal institute established in 2022 by Article 57 (1) of Proclamation No. 1263/2021 with its organization, powers, and duties defined by Regulation No.511/2022 of the Federal Negarit Gazette of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. SSGI was established through the merger of the former Ethiopian Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and the Geospatial Information Institute (GII) to enable the collective use of space and geospatial technologies and ensure better administration.
SSGI envisions to fully exploiting multidimensional uses of space science and technology in the space and geospatial sectors and be a robust contributor for the national development. It offers essential support, guidance, and leadership in implementing the national space policy and strategies. Through its research, training, and consultancy services, it contributes to national development by enabling the utilization, adaptation, improvement, and production of space and geospatial products and services. Additionally, SSGI facilitates the advancement of space and geospatial infrastructures and technologies to achieve these goals.
SSGI’s goal is to develop collaborative capacity in space and geospatial sciences to have a socio-economic impact in Ethiopia and to become a competitive institute in Africa’s space and geospatial sector. SSGI’s mission is to ensure production of internationally competitive research, provide timely and reliable information supply, technology development, technology and industrial transfer that contribute to the regional development in the space science and geospatial sector by empowering manpower in those fields.
SSGI has a mandate to lead and coordinate national space science and geospatial activities; create cooperation and partnership with foreign peer institutions; represent Ethiopia in regional and international fora. It encourages and supports governmental and private institutions, individuals, researchers, professional and civic associations contributing to advance the space and geospatial sector by sharing infrastructure, providing data, consultancy, training, technical and financial support. Overall, SSGI plays a critical role in advancing Ethiopia’s space and geospatial capabilities and contributing to the country’s sustainable development.
Background
Development of Space Science in the Ethiopian Context
Ethiopia boasts a rich history of astronomical exploration dating back to ancient times, showcasing early endeavors in studying celestial phenomena. Despite a hiatus in modern space science initiatives, Ethiopia rekindled its interest in the field in the 1950s. The establishment of the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) in 2004 marked a pivotal moment, leading to the formulation of the Ethiopian National Space Policy in 2018. Subsequent developments, including the creation of the Entoto Observatory and Research Center (EORC) in 2013 and the Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute (ESSTI) in 2016, underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to space exploration. The merger of ESSTI and the Geospatial Information Institute (GII) in 2022 culminated in the formation of SSGI, aligning with Ethiopia’s vision for aerospace advancement.
Development of Mapping in the Ethiopian Context
Mapping in Ethiopia traces back to antiquity, with traditional techniques employed by early civilizations. Formal institutionalization began in the 20th century with the establishment of the Ethiopian Cartographic Mapping and Geography Institute in 1954. Over the years, this institute evolved into the Ethiopian Mapping Agency (EMA) and later the Geospatial Information Institute (GII) in response to advancements in mapping technologies. The merger of GII and ESSTI birthed SSGI in 2022, symbolizing a concerted effort to harness synergies in space and geospatial sciences
Vision & Mission of SSGI
Vision: To establish a leading institute in Africa’s space and geospatial sector, fostering competitiveness and innovation.
Mission: To drive internationally competitive research, deliver reliable information, facilitate technology transfer, and promote regional integration, thereby catalyzing socioeconomic development in space and geospatial sciences.
What does SSGI Do?
SSGI operates across nine core areas, each geared towards advancing the institute’s objectives and contributing to Ethiopia’s socioeconomic landscape. These areas encompass product and service provision, research and development, consultancy, training and technology transfer, regional integration, technology and innovation, infrastructure development, awareness creation, and community services.
Duties and Power
SSGI possesses the following powers and duties:
- Propose space and geospatial policies, laws, strategies, and programs to the ministry based on research findings and implement the same upon approval.
- Identify, plan, carry out, and implement research thematic and application areas of space and geospatial sectors.
- Establish, organize, and administer space infrastructure and geospatial infrastructure to conduct research; provide training, consultancy, and advisory services, and build national capability in the sector.
- Prepare, publish, and distribute national, regional, and spatial atlases, as well as topographic and thematic maps in different scales for various purposes.
- Develop and utilize technologies such as space objects, satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and similar technologies in the aerospace and geospatial sector to conduct research; provide training, consultancy, and advisory services.
- Collect, process, produce, analyze, organize, store, disseminate, and administer space and geospatial data; utilize such data to support social and economic growth, environmental development, accident forecasting, digital addressing systems, and spatial planning.
- Develop and implement enabling space and geospatial platforms aligned with the digital economy and national development plans.
- Realize a geospatial industry ecosystem through the implementation of an integrated geospatial data and information framework.