The Africa Regional Data Cube (ARDC), based on the Open Data Cube infrastructure, is a technological innovation that layers 17 years of satellite imagery and Earth observation data for five African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. It stacks imagery across a time series and makes the data – which is compressed, geocoded, and analysis-ready – accessible via an online user interface and Python application notebooks. The ARDC was created in response to data needs and gaps identified by partner countries and based on examples of some countries’ successful usage of Open Data Cube technology. It is a solution that can help address countries’ respective needs and fill data gaps. However, once adopted as a solution, it takes a significant commitment of time and resources to effectively build capacity and increase use.
This document compiles learnings derived from inputs and insights provided by the GPSDD secretariat, the NASA team, partner country stakeholders, and training participants. The learnings are intended to be a distillation of critical reflections on what has worked, what has not, and most importantly, what are the lessons from the various experiences that are important to consider in informing continued improvement of the ARDC and related activities.