UAE-based spacetech company Space42 has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft and Esri to deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps for all 54 African countries, benefiting over 1.4 billion people. The Map Africa Initiative, unveiled at Esri’s 2025 User Conference, aims to create the continent’s most comprehensive base map, addressing critical infrastructure, investment, and institutional gaps.
This five-year partnership will enhance geospatial capabilities across Africa and the UAE by providing precise, timely, and locally managed mapping data to governments, businesses, and communities. Africa’s current maps are often fragmented, outdated, or inaccessible—challenges this initiative seeks to overcome.
Space42 will lead fundraising, project management, and satellite data provision through sovereign and commercial partners. Utilizing AI-powered digital twin models, Space42 will produce dynamic, use-specific map outputs and spearhead research and development of new AI models to automate map production workflows.
Esri will manage base map production using GeoAI and remote sensing technologies while supporting regional hubs to train local teams and build sustainable capacity. Microsoft will supply secure cloud infrastructure and AI frameworks via Azure to enable large-scale data processing, sharing, and integration.
The initiative aims to unlock lasting value across sectors such as ports and logistics, renewable energy, security, disaster response, smart cities, and digital economies. National governments will license the data, allowing National Mapping Agencies to maintain ownership and updates. Eventually, the data will reside in G42 and Microsoft-managed data centers throughout Africa and foster a thriving commercial ecosystem for African startups.
