Reviewing the status of national spatial data infrastructures in Africa

Abstract

The paper reviews the status of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in Africa, based on a survey conducted between April and October 2014. Web searches and data from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs E-Government survey of year 2014 were used to supplement the survey data. Using the SDI-Readiness methodology, the SDI-Readiness index is computed. Of the twelve countries reviewed, Senegal (0.69), Rwanda (0.65), South Africa (0.64) and Ghana (0.61) have higher indices; while Tanzania (0.33), Zimbabwe (0.33), Botswana (0.35) and Malawi (0.38) have lower indices. Countries with higher SDI-Readiness indices, which is a proxy for the capacity and willingness to develop an SDI, have a better chance of success in developing their NSDI. Lower indices implies that a lot more effort is required by the respective countries. Although all SDI components should be given equal prominence, the study suggests that more emphasis should be placed on improving the human and financial resources if Africa is to succeed in NSDI development.