KijaniSpace (GreenSpace in Swahili) Is a highly innovative initiative built on the foundation of previous successful African Union/European Union collaborations and partnerships in the fields of space, Internet of Things (IoT), climate change and agriculture. The vision of this project is to extend the use of Copernicus Earth observation data for the application of climate-smart agriculture in Africa to regional research and innovation development. To enhance the Copernicus data by local African stakeholders, the project has proposed several practical but innovative approaches. First, Copernicus data shall be integrated into the local IoT dataset to enhance the local context, users and market needs of the application. Therefore, the project proposed to develop a space IoT solution box. (Called KijaniBox) that integrates the existing platform, tools and data set for simplified local availability and accessibility. Using the KijaniBox EO and IoT resources, the project will launch two programs, one called Training Program for Skills Development and creation of Minimum Viable Products and another Innovation Program for small and middle scale innovation experiments. In addition, the project will conduct pilot demonstrations of two agricultural applications (crop farming and fish farming). Finally, the project will engage the various local and international stakeholders and actors with a multi-stakeholder approach to co-create innovation and collaboration environment. KijaniBox is a highly innovation-oriented consortium composing of thirteen (13) companies/institutions, 6 European and 7 African partners from 7 different countries. The Concept of KijaniSpace project is being piloted in the Great Lake Victoria Basin region. The ultimate aim of KijaniSpace is to pave the way for long-term sustainable economic growth and green job creation in Africa and Europe through Copernicus and IoT.

Being a Consortium Partner, Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology (MJNUAT) in collaboration with other partners, is involved in Work Package 2 (Need assessment of KijaniSpace in Lake Victoria Basin) and Work Package 6 (Dissemination and awareness-raising to maximise impact).