Esri, a global leader in location intelligence, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Space42 and Microsoft. This aims to advance the Map Africa Initiative. The five-year program seeks to create the most detailed and comprehensive basemap of Africa ever produced. Once completed, the initiative will deliver high-resolution, scalable geospatial data covering all 54 African countries. This has the potential to benefit more than 1.4 billion people.
Addressing Gaps in Africa’s Mapping Landscape
Across the continent, many official maps remain fragmented, outdated, or difficult to access. As a result, governments and businesses often make critical decisions using incomplete or inaccurate information. These data gaps have contributed to challenges in infrastructure development. They also affect investment planning, and institutional coordination.
The partnership between Esri, Space42, and Microsoft aims to close these gaps by strengthening institutional capacity and enabling locally managed geospatial data. The three organizations formalized the collaboration in early July during the 2025 Esri User Conference held in San Diego, California.
Also Read: Esri and AfroChampions Launch Partnership to Promote GIS in Africa
Building Foundational Data for Smarter Decision-Making
The Map Africa Initiative will support governments, businesses, and communities by providing reliable basemap data that underpins informed decision-making across sectors.
“We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative in partnership with Space42,” said Jack Dangermond, Esri president. “Transforming satellite imagery into detailed, accurate base maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology and professional production workflows. These same capabilities have supported similar national and regional mapping efforts around the world. With Map Africa, we are helping to establish a foundational resource that will drive infrastructure planning, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent.”
Also Read: Microsoft opens Africa Development Centre Facility in Nairobi
Defined Roles Across the Partnership
Space42, a UAE-based artificial intelligence and space technology company, will lead fundraising efforts and oversee project management while supplying satellite data. Esri will manage basemap production using its GeoAI and remote sensing technologies and will support regional hubs to train local teams and build sustainable, long-term capacity. Microsoft will provide secure cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence capabilities through Azure, enabling large-scale data processing, integration, and sharing.
Partnership as a Strategic and Development Tool
Space42 emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond technical cooperation. It aims to deliver long-term strategic and social impact.
“Partnership is core to the UAE’s DNA and is central to how Space42 operates,” said Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42. “This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical; it’s strategic. It advances Space42’s business priorities, strengthens our role as a trusted partner to governments, and delivers meaningful benefits to communities across Africa. Accurate, high-quality mapping and the intelligence solutions built on it are essential for growth, resilience, and inclusive innovation. With reliable data, communities and economies prosper.”
Also Read: New Esri Initiative provides Free Geospatial Software for Nonprofits
Unlocking Value Across Key Sectors
The initiative is expected to generate long-term benefits across multiple sectors:
-
Ports and logistics: Improved terrain and infrastructure mapping will enhance route planning and reduce operational inefficiencies.
-
Renewable energy: Advanced site-selection models will support optimized deployment of solar and wind projects.
-
Security and disaster response: Governments will gain tools to monitor borders, manage resources, and coordinate emergency response efforts.
-
Smart cities and digital economies: Accurate basemaps will underpin urban planning, public service delivery, and digital infrastructure development.
Also Read: Microsoft, JKUAT partner in developing engineering curriculum
Local Ownership and a Growing Geospatial Ecosystem
Under the Map Africa Initiative, national governments will receive licensed access to the data, enabling National Mapping Agencies to maintain ownership and update the information over time. The program also aims to stimulate a new commercial ecosystem by supporting African geospatial startups. Eventually, G42- and Microsoft-managed data centers across Africa will host the data, ensuring regional availability, security, and sustainability.
