European Satellite Navigation Systems Could Foster Development in Africa

While the European Union is developing Galileo and operating EGNOS, the two first European satellite navigation systems, the potential benefits of using these technologies for the socio-economic development of the African continent were presented recently in Brussels.

Satellite navigation systems developed in Europe offer valuable information that could support economic activity in Africa. From improving the safety of flying to increasing the navigability of some of the continent’s key trading rivers, the various applications of satellite navigation systems can help to foster African development.

There are also important challenges, including the definition of a governance structure, funding such as investment in ground facilities, and setting up the required operational capacities.

According to Michel Bosco, Deputy Head of Unit in charge of Applications, Security and International Aspects of the European Union satellite navigation programmes, Galileo is ‘a GPS that no one can turn off”.  Powered through a group of satellites orbiting the earth, the physics are the same as GPS but it is funded by civil means and is under European control.

EGNOS, or the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, is a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), which provides precision positioning. EGNOS improves the integrity and accuracy of the GPS signal by taking natural phenomena into consideration such as solar flare, which can skew the information to a matter of metres on the ground.  Its main application is for precision transportation needs, particularly commercial aviation, where the accuracy of EGNOS corrected data makes it trustworthy.

While the EGNOS service area is currently limited to the European continent and most of its neighbouring countries (including the south Mediterranean area), coverage could be extended in future to the African continent, through the installation of ground stations. 

“EGNOS applications for transportation, land management, agriculture and energy and mining industries bring substantial potential for African socio-economic development,” said Stefano Scarda, Policy Officer at the unit in charge of Applications Security and International Aspects of the European Union satellite navigation programmes, during a recent presentation of the potential role and impact of satellite navigation on the socio economic development of the African continent.

The highest benefits, continued Mr Scarda, would be seen in the field of aviation, where Africa has a notoriously poor safety record. While only 4-5% of the world’s air traffic occurs in Africa, 20% of accidents happen there. “EGNOS can provide vertical guidance for safer landing, route optimisation, allowing for fuel savings and CO2 emissions reductions, as well as costs reduction through the phasing out of current ground-based equipment for aid to navigation.”

Importantly, EGNOS would open up small airports in remote regions, increasing the prospects for regional integration and intercontinental air connection.  “EGNOS could make 90% of the African territory reachable within one day, which is three times as much as today,” said Mr Scarda.

EGNOS could also provide precise positioning for increased navigability of inland waterways.  “Our case study in the Congo River Basin shows that 95% of Central African Republic imports transit through the Congo, but the river is blocked for half of the year by rocks,” said Mr Bosco.  “Precise positioning can help with dredging operations to keep the waterways open all year, with all season navigation and substantial benefits to the economy.”  In addition, EGNOS would support port approach and coastal navigation, allowing the opening up of previously ill-equipped small coastal ports.

EU supports continental programmes such as AEGOS. There are also examples of country development programmes which are implementations of satellite positioning systems, like the “Private Sector and Trade Enabling Support Programme” in Ghana, one facet of which involves the establishment of a satellite tracking system of goods in transit from the port of Tema to landlocked countries of the hinterland (Burkina Faso, Mali). This example also illustrates the challenge of reaching an agreement over common technologies between countries situated along an international corridor.

Another interesting example from Africa, this time from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, has been uploaded to capacity4dev, here.

According to the cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the European Commission, the cumulative undiscounted net benefits of EGNOS extension to Africa on a 30- year timeframe (2011-41) will amount to around €1.7 billion, for the aviation sector alone.

Recognition of this has stimulated policy makers in Europe and Africa to work together to set up a policy context. In addition, ground stations are under construction in Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania.

An important effort is also being made for supporting the development of capacities through projects that are to be implemented under the responsibility of the ACP secretariat:
-    European Development Fund (EDF) — support to the air transport sector and satellite service applications; introduction of GNSS/EGNOS, capacity building for satellite navigation services in Africa
-    European Development Fund (EDF) — support to the air transport sector and satellite service applications — improvement of aviation security in Africa.

But according to Mr Bosco, the main challenge for the deployment of this system is the definition of the governance structure, which demands coordination among numerous stakeholders. “It took years for Europe to get organised to use this system.  It will take years for Africa also,” he said.

The other challenge is the funding of the implementation phase. “We are addressing an issue that has huge socio economic benefits, which is very difficult to put a price on,” said Mr Bosco.  “Nevertheless, several funding opportunities have been identified and discussions with potential donors are ongoing."

The following presentation from the Infopoint gathering of EGNOS in Africa can also be found in the Public Group on Information and Technology:

EGNOS in Africa presentation 24.05.2012

For further reading, please visit the ICT and Transport topics of capacity4dev.eu

This collaborative piece was drafted with input from Michel Bosco, Serena Belligoli, Placido Hernandez Aguilar, Stanimira Ivanova and Maria Castaldi with support from the capacity4dev.eu Coordination Team.