Space42, Esri, and Microsoft have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to institute the Map Africa Initiative, a five-year collaborative programme aimed at developing accurate and accessible base maps for all 54 African countries.
The effort seeks to enhance local mapping infrastructure and provide geospatial support for economic development, disaster resilience, and technological innovation, ultimately benefiting over 1.4 billion people across the continent.
The updated mapping system will catalyse economic development through increased access to intelligent solutions that support governments, businesses, and communities.
The collaboration aims to enhance geospatial capabilities across Africa and the UAE, providing precise and accessible data to national and regional stakeholders.
The MoU was signed at Esri’s 2025 User Conference.
The UAE is Africa’s largest foreign investor, with USD 44 billion in capital deployed in 2024 alone, nearly matching the combined investments of the UK and China.
Furthermore, as the UAE’s national space champion, Space42 advances this agenda by exporting AI and geospatial capabilities that enable data-driven development.
By expanding the UAE’s space ecosystem and fostering knowledge transfer across industries, Space42’s geospatial mapping capabilities play a crucial role in building a future ready, innovation driven economy in both the UAE and Africa.
In addition, for African countries, the mapping capabilities enable more innovative land use, improved disaster response, modern infrastructure planning, and the foundations for smart cities and digital economies.
For the UAE, this strategic engagement opens high-growth markets, deepens diplomatic and commercial ties, and consolidates its role as a global leader in AI-enabled space solutions.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/07/30/space42-esri-and-microsoft-launch-map-africa-initiative-to-strengthen-geospatial-infrastructure-across-the-continent/