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IBM Advances Geospatial AI to Address Climate Challenges

IBM has announced new efforts that apply its geospatial AI technologies, including IBM’s geospatial foundation model developed in collaboration with NASA, to climate efforts including analysis of urban heat islands in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); reforestation across Kenya; and climate resiliency in the United Kingdom (UK).
IBM continues to advance its AI model strategy in part through the creation, training, fine-tuning and open-sourcing of foundation models – models that can be used for different tasks and apply information from one situation to another – designed for domains beyond natural language, including geospatial applications.
These models, which are trained on geospatial information such as satellite images, present a unique opportunity to address climate change because unlike traditional AI models tailored for specialized tasks, geospatial foundation models – encompassing satellite and weather data – create knowledge representations from petabytes and exabytes of climate-relevant data that can facilitate accelerated and streamlined discovery of environmental insights and solutions.
These models can also be fine-tuned and applied across a multitude of areas driving or revealing climate change, from flood detection to fire scars.
“Climate change is a real and pressing issue that we must find new ways to address as quickly and efficiently as possible, including through today’s most advanced AI technologies,” said Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow and Vice President, Accelerated Discovery at IBM.
“AI foundation models utilizing geospatial data can be a game-changer because they allow us to better understand, prepare and address the many climate-related events effecting the health of our planet in a manner and speed never before seen.
“We are hopeful these technologies can help accelerate the rate at which we derive and apply solutions for a safer and healthier planet for future generations.”
Analyzing urban heat islands in the UAE
By the end of this century, many cities will likely experience disruptive and excessive heat waves if GHG emissions continue at high levels. To develop sustainable and equitable plans to keep cities habitable, the rising heat levels must be accurately mapped and addressed.
IBM and the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) are pioneering an attempt to apply foundation models to the mapping of urban heat islands – areas with significantly higher temperatures compared to surrounding locations.
This innovative research specifically applies a fine-tuned version of IBM’s geospatial foundation model to understand the urban environment in Abu Dhabi and how the underlying landscape in the UAE impacts the formation of urban heat islands.
To date, the model has informed efforts that have succeeded in a reduction of heat island effects in the region by more than 3oC (5.4 F)[1]. Going forward, the model is expected to continue to provide unique insights that inform the development of urban design strategies designed to help reduce urban heat stress in changing climates.
Professor Tim Baldwin, MBZUAI Acting Provost, said: “Our collaboration with IBM marks a groundbreaking effort to utilize foundational AI models in analyzing and identifying solutions to urban heat islands for Abu Dhabi and parts of the UAE, a region which is particularly affected by climate change.
“This research underscores the vital role of AI in tackling global issues, emphasizing the urgency of continued exploration and innovation. By harnessing the power of AI, we are not merely addressing challenges; we are proactively shaping solutions for a sustainable future.
“In a world confronted by unprecedented challenges, MBZUAI stands at the forefront of pioneering research in AI, recognizing the transformative power it holds.”
Advancing reforestation and water sustainability in Kenya
In December 2022, President of Kenya H.E. D.R William Ruto unveiled the National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign designed to plant 15 billion trees across Kenya by 2032, including in areas of critically affected water towers – forested landscapes that retain water and source many rivers throughout Kenya. While water towers account for about three quarters of the nation’s water resources, deforestation is contributing to increasing water scarcity in these regions.
IBM and the Kenyan government’s office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change Ali Mohamed have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign through a new “adopt-a-water-tower” initiative.
The effort will be fueled by a new digital platform that leverages IBM’s geospatial foundation model to enable users to track and visualize tree planting and tree growing activities in specific water tower areas.
Local developers can also create fine-tuned models combining the IBM geospatial model with their own localized information to monitor forest restoration and measure above-ground biomass such as sequestered carbon, ultimately mobilizing on-the-ground efforts to plant more trees across Kenya’s water tower regions.
The President’s Spokesperson, Mr. Hussein Mohamed, MBS, said: “We recognize that technology plays a pivotal role in unlocking our full potential, optimizing resource utilization, and seizing opportunities. It serves as a means to ensure that we harness our resources most effectively to drive our grassroots-driven economic transformation agenda.
“Through our partnership with IBM, we have the capability of harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and geospatial data to advance our climate ambitions.
“These ambitions include planting 15 billion trees, rejuvenating our vital water towers, fostering increased collaboration with the private sector to promote a just energy transition for communities around our forests. Simultaneously, this collaboration will enhance our capacity to equitably participate in the carbon economy.
The potential of this collaboration extends beyond our borders and has the capacity to be replicated in other nations seeking to enhance their forest cover while also improving the economic and health well-being of their communities.”
Elevating climate resiliency across the United Kingdom
In 2021, IBM and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre collaborated to explore the application of next-generation technologies including AI from IBM to address climate risk and resiliency across the UK.
Now, IBM, STFC and Royal HaskoningDHV, a global consulting engineering company, have collaborated to establish a new service, leveraging IBM’s geospatial AI tools, that seeks to automate and scale climate risk assessment processes for organizations. The service’s first use case will focus on the aviation sector, in which IBM’s geospatial AI will assess impacts weather-related issues, including:
- Short-term impact of extreme weather on aviation operations.
- Long-term impact of climate change on future airport operations and infrastructure.
In addition, IBM and STFC Hartree Centre, through the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, are advancing a new area of research with Dark Matter Labs and Lucidminds , as part of their TreesAI project. The research project will apply IBM geospatial AI technologies to their Green Urban Scenarios (GUS) model to map urban locations where trees can be planted to help alleviate the risk of surface water flooding. The effort will eventually inform an end-to-end digital planning platform for urban planners , project developers and green urban investors across the UK.
Kate Royse, Director at STFC’s Hartree Centre, said: “There has never been a more important time to prepare for the challenges posed by climate change, both from an industrial and societal perspective. Here at STFC’s Hartree Centre we’re excited to be working with IBM and Royal HaskoningDHV, using advanced AI technologies to help the aviation industry prepare for climate risks, and become more resilient against the effects of extreme weather. Equally, our collaboration with IBM and Dark Matter Labs on the TreesAI project through our HNCDI programme will enable smarter decisions based on accurately predicting and managing flood risk, which is critical to all future city planning. Advanced AI technologies are key driver in enabling us to build a more resilient world against the adverse impacts of climate change.”
Djeevan Schiferli, Climate Intelligence Business Strategist, Royal HaskoningDHV said: “Operational and strategic planners in every company require a clear understanding of how weather and climate-related incidents affect their business operations. By harnessing AI and geospatial data, we will super charge our climate risk assessments on a global scale.”
Chloe Treger, TreesAI UK Lead, said: “Over 300,000 properties are at risk of surface-water flooding. Without action, this figure is set to almost double by 2055 due to climate change and urbanisation. Through our collaboration with IBM and STFC, we have been able to observe how trees contribute to reducing surface water flooding risks across the city under different scenarios, using GUS. This has enabled us and our partners to make the business case for tree planting and maintenance. After a successful pilot in Glasgow, we are now looking for further locations to embed this powerful data-enabled decision-making tool.”
Extending NASA collaboration to apply generative AI to weather
Beyond their initial commitment to build and deploy a geospatial foundation model, IBM and NASA have also announced work on a new, separate AI foundation model for weather and climate. By applying AI technology from IBM, the model aims to improve the accuracy, speed and affordability of weather forecasting and other climate applications. Sample applications of the model not only include forecasting, but also super-resolution downscaling, identifying conditions conducive to wildfires, and predicting meteorological phenomena. IBM researchers will work alongside NASA domain experts to train and validate the model.
Telecom
GBB Reaffirms Commitment to Driving Public Sector Innovation @ the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Awards

Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, joined other key government institutions at the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Award Ceremony, organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
The event, which held in Abuja, celebrated groundbreaking ideas from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that are reimagining public service delivery through innovation.
The ceremony, which attracted notable dignitaries including the Chief Host herself, The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON mni. Others include, former Heads of Service, Dame Amal Pepple and Mr. Danladi Kifasi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service, Hon. Sani Bala, showcased the vibrancy and ingenuity of Nigeria’s Civil Servants.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy, and innovative thinking as pillars for national development.
He emphasized that GBB remains deeply committed to supporting initiatives like the Innovation Competition, which foster a culture of creativity, problem-solving, and transformation across the public sector.
“Innovation is no longer a luxury — it is essential to building a responsive, efficient, and digitally enabled government. At Galaxy Backbone, we are proud to align with this vision through our Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), which drives digital infrastructure, innovation, data security, and capacity building across MDAs,” he stated.
The 2025 edition of the competition saw an outstanding 155 entries, with 132 individuals pitching innovative ideas and 66 thematic teams presenting implementable solutions designed to enhance service delivery and governance.
Themed around streamlining bureaucratic processes, succession planning, employee welfare, and change management, this year’s event reaffirmed the role of innovation in shaping a future-ready public service.
Galaxy Backbone recognizes the critical role of digital transformation in empowering civil servants to create lasting impact. By supporting platforms such as the Public Service Innovation Competition, GBB reinforces its commitment to equipping the public sector with the tools, skills, and digital infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s progress.
As part of this commitment, GBB will also be providing mentorship for all the winners of the innovation challenge, helping them refine their ideas, scale implementation, and drive sustainable transformation across the public service.
As the country advances on its journey toward e-governance and efficient service delivery, GBB continues to stand as a strategic partner in building a connected, innovative, and digitally skilled public service.
Telecom
5 tips to start taking digital payments as a business in Africa

Not long ago, cash was dominant in Africa, but digital payments are now rapidly gaining traction.
From Lagos to Kenya and the US, businesses are recognising that embracing digital methods is essential for growth.
A Mastercard-commissioned report forecasts Africa’s digital payments market will reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, fueled by increased mobile phone usage and e-commerce. While cash is still common, mobile money is on the rise.
Zabira is simplifying this transition for SMEs, freelancers, and online merchants. In August 2019, the company launched Zabira to innovate Nigeria’s cashless transaction market, offering services like crypto trading and utility payments.
The Zabira app supports four major fiat currencies—USD, NGN, GHC, and KES, making cross-border transactions seamless. It also provides access to over 20 cryptocurrencies, giving users flexibility and freedom in managing their digital finances.
For small business owners looking to adopt digital payments, here are five easy tips to get started.
1. Choose a Platform That Does It All
Choose a digital payment platform like Zabira that offers multiple services in one app, including cryptocurrency trading, utility bill payments, and fiat transactions, to manage your financial life seamlessly.
2. Integrate Crypto Payments Early
Africa is rapidly growing as a crypto market. Zabira allows businesses to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, facilitating real-time trading of crypto assets. This gives businesses a competitive advantage in international commerce, particularly with diasporan clients.
3. Get Paid Instantly, No delay
Waiting three to five business days for payment to clear can disrupt cash flow. Zabira offers instant fiat payments through a robust blockchain system, allowing businesses to move money quickly, pay suppliers faster, and avoid telling customers to “wait till Monday.”
4. Opt for a user-friendly app
Zabira is incredibly easy to use, with no confusing menus or hidden steps. Users can download the app on Android and on iOS.
5. Offer More Than Just Products
Zabira offers more than money transfers; users can top up airtime and data, pay cable bills, and fund betting wallets within the app. Businesses can learn to add value beyond just selling products.
Telecom
Onafriq and Circle Partner to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Africa with USDC

Onafriq, Africa’s largest payments gateway, and Circle, stablecoin market leader and issuer of USDC, today announced their strategic partnership aimed at transforming cross-border payments and digital financial services.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards compliantly leveraging stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure to boost Onafriq’s payment network, positioning it at the forefront of the digital payment’s revolution for real-world financial applications.
Currently, over 80 percent of intra-African payments are routed through correspondent banks outside the continent and settled in foreign currencies such as the US dollar or Euro. This results in a staggering US$5 billion in transaction fees annually and undermines economic integration efforts.
Onafriq and Circle are working together to change this paradigm by piloting the use of USDC-powered settlement solutions into Onafriq’s network, which connects over 500 wallets and 200 million bank accounts in more than 40 African markets.
Onafriq’s founder and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, said: “Our partnership with Circle is an important milestone, reinforcing Onafriq’s commitment to harnessing technology to remove complexity from cross-border payments. By integrating USDC, we aim to simplify financial transactions for institutions and individuals, reduce costs, and strengthen trust.
This collaboration underscores our vision to democratise access to payments and drive financial inclusion across the globe. We’re not just envisioning the future of payments – we’re actively building it.”
Miriam Kiwan, Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Circle, said: “The emerging markets that Onafriq serves hold tremendous potential for digital asset innovation, particularly in the adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments.
“Our partnership with Onafriq aligns perfectly with Circle’s mission to promote financial inclusion and improve efficiency in areas where traditional banking has often been costly and inaccessible.
“Together, we aim to transform how money moves across borders, offering secure and transparent digital payment rails that enhance economic empowerment and connectivity.”
This collaboration is a major step toward a more inclusive and self-reliant pan-African financial system. It signals a new phase in the modernisation of African payment rails – one where blockchain technology is applied responsibly, in lockstep with regulators and financial institutions, to build a faster, more efficient, and economically empowering future for the continent.
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