Africa is getting more serious about space, with a focus on how the data can benefit end users.

Tidiane Ouattara, the president of the African Space Council, outlined some of the challenges and opportunities in space for the continent of 55 nations during a panel at Space Symposium Wednesday in Colorado Springs. Ouattara is tasked with setting up the African Space Agency formed last year and making its debut at Symposium.

In his work, Ouattara faces some of the same serious questions as American politicians about investing in big space dreams, such as going to the moon, when residents can’t meet basic needs.

But he sees an opportunity for Africa to leverage space technology to leap frog ahead and help address major climate challenges. For example, some areas are seeing rain they have never seen before, causing flooding. The schedule for farmers in some areas has also completely changed.

“We are not prepared,” he said.

But data gathered in space can provide on-the-ground solutions. Boaters navigating the Congo River in Africa can receive text messages in the morning and afternoon about the levels of the water helping them navigate safely, he said.

In Ghana, space data is used to communicate safety information to fisherman, he said.

While the continent needs partnerships to develop space, there is also interest from companies, such as those in the cacao and coffee industries in investing, he said.

“Space, for Africa, is an opportunity,” he said.