Under the High Patronage of His Excellency Dr. Olavo Correia, the Deputy Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, we are pleased to announce that SatNav Africa Joint Programme Office (JPO), in partnership with the Government of Cabo Verde, Ministry of Digital Economy will be organising a high-level pre-event conference on Early Warning Systems with the Theme "Leveraging GNSS Technology for Enhanced Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (EMHWS) in Africa."

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Africa confronts a rising tide of natural hazards, including floods, droughts, and earthquakes, which claimed 10600 lives and inflicted 15 billion dollars in economic losses in 2023, according to UNDRR reports. Floods alone affected 4 million people, particularly in coastal regions, while droughts devastated agricultural communities in arid zones. Climate change exacerbates these threats, disproportionately impacting Small Island Developing States and Emerging Markets with limited adaptive capacity. Launched in 2022, the UN Early Warning for All initiative aims to strengthen Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems by 2027, emphasising detection, analysis, and timely dissemination of alerts. Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as Galileo and GPS, provide high-precision geospatial and timing data, enabling real-time flood mapping, drought monitoring, and earthquake detection with millisecond accuracy.

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The Africa Satellite Navigation Conference High-Level Pre-event which will focus on the role of GNSS technologies in advancing disaster resilience across the continent, will be held in hybrid format (Virtual and In person) from 16th to 17th of July, 2025, with the in-person component taking place at Parque Tecnológico Arquipélago Digital de Cabo Verde (Tech Park), Praia, Cabo Verde. It will serve as a pre-event to the planned Africa Satellite Navigation Conference, the first of its kind, scheduled for 2026 in Dakar, Senegal. The Africa Satellite Navigation Conference will offer a platform for African stakeholders to explore how Satellite Navigation and Positioning at large can bridge the gaps between urban and rural areas, in key areas such as early warning systems and disaster risk reduction, among others.

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The Data 4 Early Warning Hackathon 2025, organised by SatNav Africa JPO and Africa Satellite Navigation Innovation Hub, runs virtually from 20th of May to 12th of July 2025, with results to be announced on the 15th of July 2025 in Praia, Cabo Verde, in a hybrid format. It engages 50 participants in 8 to 10 teams of 5 to 6 members to develop GNSS-based solutions through GeoStory Analytics and Policy Memo tracks. Across four phases, teams register, propose, develop, and submit deliverables, evaluated for innovation and MHEWAS integration, with winners gaining visibility at the Africa Satellite Navigation Conference High Level Pre event 2025. Key stakeholders including the European Union, African Union, SatNav Africa JPO, and the Ministry of Digital Economy of Cabo Verde support the initiative, offering opportunities for winners to build partnerships and scale their solutions across Africa.

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CATEGORIES

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1. TRACK 1: GeoStory Analytics

Create browser-based tools using GNSS data (e.g., Galileo, GPS) to enhance disaster alerts. Build dashboards, storymaps, or infographics for risks like floods or droughts. Proposals are mentor-reviewed and developed into scalable solutions by July 12, 2025, supporting real-time early warning systems.

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   2. TRACK 2: Policy Memo

Draft concise, data-driven memos advocating GNSS-based disaster policies. Use GNSS datasets to propose solutions like regional alert systems or monitoring networks. With expert feedback, refine proposals for submission by July 12, 2025, contributing to strategic frameworks for disaster resilience.

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​TIMELINE​​​​

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BENEFITS

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●Partnerships: Build strategic connections with key stakeholders such as the European Union, African Union, SatNav Africa JPO, and the Ministry of Digital Economy of Cabo Verde.
●Visibility & Recognition: Gain high-level exposure by showcasing your solution at the Africa Satellite Navigation Conference 2025.
●Resources & Tools: Access real-time GNSS data from satellite systems like Galileo and GPS for disaster risk analytics.
●Professional Growth: Work in interdisciplinary teams combining developers, data analysts, and policy writers from across Africa and beyond.

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HACKATHON RESOURCES & SUPPORT

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APPLICATION PROCESS

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Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials:

• Biography: Provide a concise narrative presenting your relevant experience in technical development, data analytics, or policy work. Highlight your contributions to previous projects related to early warning systems, GNSS technologies, or disaster resilience.

• Team Composition (if applicable): Applicants may apply individually or as part of a team. Teams must be interdisciplinary, combining technical, analytical, and policy expertise.

• Track Selection: Choose one of the two tracks (Track 1: GeoStory Analytics/Track 2: Policy Memo)

• Motivation Statement: Describe your motivation, what you bring to the hackathon, and what you aim to achieve.

• Application Form: https://forms.gle/EEczjiyevzfhdWLy9

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

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All application materials must be submitted by June 20th, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.