For decades, African governments have planned cities, infrastructure and disaster responses using maps that were often incomplete, outdated or built for narrow purposes. A new initiative known as Map Africa is now attempting to change that — by creating a continuously updated digital map of the entire continent.Led by Abu Dhabi-based Space42 in partnership with Microsoft and Esri, the project aims to produce a live basemap covering all 54 African countries, using high-resolution satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Its backers say the platform could transform urban planning, climate resilience, agriculture and logistics across Africa.
The ambition is continental, but the challenge is structural. Africa’s mapping ecosystem remains fragmented, shaped by isolated humanitarian projects, academic initiatives and a small number of national mapping agencies with limited reach. Regulations governing geospatial data vary widely by country, complicating cross-border coordination and regional planning. International bodies, including United Nations agencies, have long warned that without a shared geospatial framework, African governments will struggle to fully integrate spatial data into development strategies.
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Map Africa’s approach begins with satellite imagery captured at centimetre-level resolution. Artificial intelligence systems convert those images into usable layers showing roads, buildings, land use, infrastructure and vegetation. Space42 supplies the imagery and automation, Esri provides mapping software widely used by governments, and Microsoft hosts the platform on its Azure cloud. Crucially, the partners say national mapping agencies will license the data and retain ownership, with responsibility for maintaining their own live maps. The data will also be available to private companies in sectors such as telecommunications, insurance, energy and agriculture — a commercial model the partners describe as essential to long-term sustainability.
To build local capacity, the project plans to establish regional “centers of excellence” across Africa, intended to train professionals, validate data and support applied research. Supporters argue this could create entry-level jobs for Africa’s young population while strengthening national institutions.
The initiative also reflects the United Arab Emirates’ expanding role in Africa’s technology and infrastructure sectors. Emirati firms have invested heavily in ports, energy and digital infrastructure across the continent, positioning themselves as long-term partners to African governments.
The memorandum of understanding for Map Africa was signed in July 2025. Pilot projects are expected over the next two years, with full continental coverage targeted by 2030. Whether Map Africa succeeds will depend less on satellite technology than on governance — and on whether African institutions truly remain at the center of how the continent is mapped, managed and understood.