Transforming Africa’s Future with Geospatial Technology: The capabilities of the RCMRD GMES & Africa Geoportal

In an era where data-driven decision-making is essential for sustainable development, the RCMRD GMES & Africa Geoportal emerges as a revolutionary tool. This platform offers seamless access to satellite imagery, GIS datasets, and advanced analytical tools, empowering decision-makers, researchers, and environmental agencies across Africa. Developed under the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) & Africa initiative and hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), the geoportal is transforming how Africa monitors its environment, and plans for a sustainable future.

As Africa faces increasing environmental challenges and the need for sustainable development, geospatial technology has become a crucial tool for decision-making. From policy development to conservation efforts and economic growth, reliable Earth Observation (EO) data empowers governments, researchers, and organizations to create impactful solutions. The RCMRD GMES & Africa Geoportal goes beyond being a simple data repository-it serves as a dynamic platform that enables users to visualize, analyze, and apply EO data for sustainable progress. With ongoing investments in geospatial technology, Africa is harnessing the power of data-driven insights—one satellite image at a time.

The RCMRD GMES & Africa Geoportal provides users with a centralized platform to access GIS datasets, develop applications, and collaborate on solving environmental challenges. It supports critical areas such as land degradation assessment, helping to monitor changes in land cover; wetlands monitoring, which assesses the status of wetlands; and an open geographic vector database, offering foundational geospatial data for multiple applications. The platform enhances the interpretation of EO data and builds confidence in using satellite-derived insights for decision-making. By developing a comprehensive regional geospatial database and creating agro-ecological zoning maps, the geoportal ensures that stakeholders can optimize land use, manage natural resources, and improve climate resilience strategies.

Objectives of the geoportal 1. Developing a consistent, shared geographical database at the regional level using open- source data to ensure accessibility and reliability. 2. Creating agro-ecological zoning through weighted overlay analysis, integrating datasets on land cover, land use, soil, demography, and environmental factors for more precise planning and resource management. . Designed for a wide range of users, the geoportal serves regional organizations, research institutions, international agencies, and national mapping authorities, among others. It provides access to diverse datasets, including administrative boundaries, hydrology, transportation networks, population data, and biodiversity conservation maps. By offering an intuitive, user- friendly interface, the platform allows professionals at all levels of expertise to leverage geospatial intelligence in their work. Whether you are a policymaker, scientist, or developer, the RCMRD GMES & Africa Geoportal equips you with the tools needed to make informed, sustainable decisions.