Originally established as a subsidiary of Morocco's University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Ground Truth Analytics combines satellite imagery, AI models and extensive ground data to help farmers take data-based actions that will ensure successful crop outcomes, as well as providing data to institutions that finance farming efforts. The overall goal is to promote sustainable and successful farming practices throughout the continent, while opening up avenues to capital and derisking agricultural lending.

Ground Truth Analytics uses Digital Earth Africa's analysis-ready Sentinel-1 radar data to support crop classification and improve model accuracy across millions of hectares in its geospatial intelligence agricultural platform. Driss Lahlou Kitane, CEO of Ground Truth Analytics, says, "Sentinel-1 data helped us improve model accuracy by around five percent. That kind of gain makes a real difference when operating at scale across vast geographies." 
 

Radar data provides a significant advantage in African tropical regions, where cloud cover can obstruct traditional optical satellite imagery throughout growing seasons. Digital Earth Africa's pre-processed, analysis-ready datasets reduce technical burdens, enabling Ground Truth Analytics to focus on model refinement, dashboards, and end-user engagement. "Digital Earth Africa plays an important role in helping us reach our goals more efficiently, with the availability of quality, pre-processed radar imagery having been a real accelerator," says Lahlou Kitane. 
 

Dr Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Managing Director (acting) and Lead Scientist for Digital Earth Africa, says, "One of Digital Earth Africa's primary goals is to democratise access to satellite imagery for African-led innovation. By offering easy-to-use, high-quality data, we empower organisations like Ground Truth Analytics to transform agricultural systems." 
 

The collaboration between Digital Earth Africa and Ground Truth Analytics shows the impact that advanced technologies and scalable solutions can have on the ground. For instance, in Ghana, the partnership supports smallholder farmers through mobile applications that offer planting and fertilisation guidance tailored to specific crop growth stages. Additionally, in East Africa, similar collaborations with banks facilitate credit scoring for smallholder farmers by analysing historical land use and crop rotations, improving both access to credit and risk management for financial institutions. 
 

This initiative aligns with UM6P's broader vision to lead innovation across Africa by integrating innovative technology with local solutions, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of projects. Ground Truth Analytics is now actively expanding its reach by onboarding new countries and partners. 
 

"By leveraging geospatial intelligence and fostering on-the-ground relationships, these initiatives are proving critical to enhancing food security, strengthening economies, and cultivating a more sustainable future for Africa," Rebelo concludes. ?