Spatial data infrastructures : African experiences
Nkwae, Boipuso & Susan Nichols
There is general agreement that spatial data is a key to sustainable resource management and overall economic development of a country. Spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) in turn provide the underlying foundation for accessing and using spatial data in the decision-making processes. In order to provide better awareness of the importance of SDIs especially in Africa, there is need to more clearly articulate what an SDI can do and how it relates to other information initiatives such as GIS and cadastre. The benefits of SDIs should not be tied to only promoting existing programs, but should also include the opportunities and possibilities for truly creating societies in which spatial information is made available efficiently, effectively, and equitably. This paper will describe the characteristics and concepts of spatial data infrastructures as they have emerged over the last decade. It will also review the developments in SDI that are taking place in selected African countries, and assess the particular African opportunities, challenges and implementation issues. The paper will then argue that even though much of the region may not be prepared for a full SDI implementation, organizational and institutional arrangements should be put in place to ensure full participation when other physical aspects of the infrastructures become available.
Event: FIG XXIInd International Congress of Surveyors
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