July 30th, 2025
Space42, Esri, and Microsoft Launch “Map Africa Initiative” to Strengthen Geospatial Infrastructure Across the Continent

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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.

Under the terms of the partnership:

1. Space42 will lead fundraising efforts, manage project implementation, and oversee data processing, leveraging AI-powered Digital Twin models to produce dynamic, use-specific outputs. Additionally, Space42 will lead the research and development roadmap for new AI models and the automation of map production workflows.
2. Esri will coordinate the creation of base maps with its GeoAI and remote sensing capabilities, and establish regional hubs dedicated to training local teams and building technical capacity.
3. Microsoft will provide secure cloud infrastructure and a scalable AI framework through Azure to support data integration and sharing.

The Map Africa Initiative reflects a shared ambition to enhance the continent’s geospatial capabilities by providing foundational data and insights to inform land use, infrastructure development, urban planning, and emergency response. Furthermore, by supporting smarter decision-making, the initiative aims to contribute to the development of digital economies and future-ready cities across Africa.

Geospatial Innovation for Economic Opportunity and Resilience

The project is expected to unlock long-term value across multiple industries:

1. Ports and logistics: Detailed terrain and infrastructure mapping will improve route planning, reduce inefficiencies, and support Africa’s emergence as a global logistics hub.
2. Renewable energy: Site selection models will support optimal deployment of solar and wind energy, improving efficiency and return on investment.
3. Security and disaster response: Governments will be able to monitor borders better, track natural resources, and coordinate emergency responses.
4. Smart cities and digital economies: Accurate maps are foundational to urban planning, public services, and the deployment of technology.

National governments will be given full license to the data, enabling them to own and update it over the long term through their National Mapping Agencies. Over time, the initiative will also support a new commercial ecosystem of African startups. Furthermore, the data will eventually be in G42 and Microsoft-managed data centres across the continent.

Leadership Perspectives: Comments from Initiative Partners

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, commented: “Partnership is core to the UAE’s DNA and central to how Space42 operates. This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical; it’s strategic. It aligns with our business objectives, reinforces our role as a trusted partner to governments, and delivers tangible benefits to communities across Africa.”

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, added: “We believe intelligence is foundational to societal progress, yet remains out of reach for many across the Global South. This partnership is a step toward closing that gap. Together, we aim to deliver AI-powered insights that enable African nations to plan more effectively, build responsibly, and grow sustainably.”

Jack Dangermond, President and Founder of Esri, stated: “We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative alongside Space42. This programme will help establish a foundational geospatial resource that underpins infrastructure planning, economic development, and long-term sustainability across the continent.”

Aligning with the UAE’s Global Investment and Innovation Agenda

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.