Microsoft, Space42, and Esri have launched the Map Africa Initiative, a five-year effort to build the most comprehensive digital base map of Africa, covering all 54 countries. The initiative aims to support economic growth, infrastructure planning, and next-generation public services for the continent’s 1.4 billion people.
The project addresses a critical gap: outdated and fragmented geospatial data that slows progress in sectors like energy, logistics, agriculture, and urban planning.
“This partnership is about turning data into development,” said Peng Xiao, Group CEO at G42, a key backer of Space42. “It will help African nations plan smarter, build better and grow more sustainably.”
What Each Partner Brings:
- Space42, a UAE-based SpaceTech firm formed in 2024, will lead fundraising, project management, and satellite data collection, using AI-powered Digital Twins for dynamic mapping and R&D.
- Esri, a global leader in GIS software, will manage base map production with its GeoAI tools and train local talent through new regional hubs.
- Microsoft will provide Azure-powered cloud infrastructure and AI frameworks for large-scale data processing and storage.
Key Goals and Benefits:
- Accurate, high-resolution maps that support sovereign data ownership, hosted locally by G42 and Microsoft.
- Smart cities, better logistics, and improved emergency response.
- Tools for natural resource management, border monitoring, and renewable energy deployment.
- Support for African start-ups building solutions in agritech, logistics, and geospatial analytics.
“With reliable geospatial data, communities and economies prosper,” said Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42.
The initiative also cements the UAE’s status as Africa’s largest foreign investor in digital infrastructure, blending space technology, AI, and cloud computing to drive inclusive development across the continent.
