Space42, a UAE-based global AI-powered SpaceTech company and member of technology group G42, has entered a strategic partnership with Microsoft and Esri to launch the “Map Africa Initiative.” This initiative aims to deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps across all 54 African countries, serving more than 1.4 billion people.
The Map Africa Initiative represents the most comprehensive base map project ever undertaken for the African continent. Its objectives include addressing major challenges in infrastructure, investment, and institutional gaps by supplying accurate, timely, and locally managed geospatial data. By empowering governments, businesses, and communities with modern mapping tools, the project aims to catalyze economic development and enhance access to intelligent solutions throughout Africa.
The collaboration, signed at Esri’s 2025 User Conference, is set to last five years and is designed to strengthen geospatial capabilities across Africa and the UAE. Through the agreement, precise and accessible data will be made available to national and regional stakeholders, supporting smarter decisions and robust growth.
As part of the initiative, Space42 will lead fundraising and project management, provide satellite data using sovereign and commercial capacities, and utilize AI-powered Digital Twin models to generate dynamic mapping outputs. The company will also propel the research and development of new AI models and automation for map productions.
Esri will coordinate all base map production workflows using GeoAI and remote sensing technologies, assist in training local personnel at regional hubs, and invest in building long-term African capacity. Meanwhile, Microsoft will provide the secure cloud infrastructure and AI framework via Azure, enabling data processing and integration at scale.
Collectively, this partnership is expected to drive long-term value across various industries:
- Ports and logistics: Improved infrastructure mapping will enhance route planning, reduce inefficiencies, and help Africa emerge as a global logistics hub.
- Renewable energy: Enhanced site selection modeling will facilitate optimal solar and wind project deployment.
- Security and disaster response: Accurate maps will support border management, natural resource tracking, and coordinated emergency responses.
- Smart cities and digital economies: Foundational mapping capabilities are essential for effective urban planning and public service deployment.
Data produced will be licensed to national governments to support ownership and continuous updating by National Mapping Agencies. Over time, it is anticipated that the initiative will also foster a new commercial ecosystem of African startups, with data ultimately housed in G42 and Microsoft-managed data centres located across the continent.
For Space42, the Map Africa Initiative signifies more than a single project. It deepens longstanding partnerships, extends Space42’s reach across Africa, and unlocks new opportunities in analytics, licensing, and infrastructure support, further solidifying Space42’s reputation as a trusted global provider of scalable geospatial solutions.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, emphasized,
“Partnership is core to the UAE’s DNA, and is central to how Space42 operates. This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical; it’s strategic. It advances Space42’s business priorities, strengthens our role as a trusted partner to governments, and delivers meaningful benefits to communities across Africa. Accurate, high-quality mapping and the intelligence solutions built on it are essential for growth, resilience, and inclusive innovation. With reliable data, communities and economies prosper.”
Jack Dangermond, President of Esri, stated,
“We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative in partnership with Space42. Transforming satellite imagery into detailed, accurate base maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology and professional production workflows. These same capabilities have supported similar national and regional mapping efforts around the world. With Map Africa, we are helping to establish a foundational resource that will drive infrastructure planning, economic growth, and sustainable development across the continent.”
Peng Xiao, Group Chief Executive Officer at G42, commented,
“We believe intelligence is the foundation for societal progress, yet it remains out of reach for millions across the Global South. This partnership is a decisive step toward closing that gap. Together with our partners, we will deliver AI-powered insights that enable African nations to plan smarter, build better, and grow more sustainably and responsibly. From agricultural optimisation and natural resource management to strengthening public services infrastructure and economic empowerment, this partnership will help turn data into development, and intelligence into impact.”
The initiative reflects the UAE’s growing role as Africa’s largest foreign investor, with $44 billion in capital deployed in 2024 alone. By leading with AI and geospatial technology exports, Space42 aligns with the UAE’s Global Investment and Innovation Agenda, driving knowledge transfer, market access, and innovation-driven economic growth in both regions.
For African countries, modern mapping will enable smarter land use, enhanced disaster response, better infrastructure planning, and the groundwork for smart cities. For the UAE, it signals deeper diplomatic and commercial ties, expansion into high-growth markets, and reinforces its standing as a global leader in AI-driven space solutions.
By advancing technological innovation and broadening access to intelligence solutions, the Map Africa Initiative stands poised to transform economies, empower communities, and build a more connected and sustainable future for Africa and beyond.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
