UAE’s Space42 teams up with Microsoft and Esri to build Africa’s most detailed map

An initiative by UAE space technology company Space42 aims to create the most detailed map of Africa, helping to drive the continent’s economic growth by the development of smart cities, digital economies and boosting industries such as agriculture.

The Map Africa Initiative aims to chart all 54 African countries using satellite data and artificial intelligence, to help governments, businesses and communities to make more informed decisions.

The five-year project is being carried out in partnership with Microsoft and geospatial company Esri.

Jack Dangermond, president of Esri, said transforming satellite imagery into detailed maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology.

“These same capabilities have supported similar national and regional mapping efforts around the world,” he said.

“With Map Africa, we are helping to establish a foundational resource that will drive infrastructure planning, economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.”

How will the map be created?

The initiative will rely on Space42’s satellites, Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure to store and process data and Esri’s advanced mapping software.

Space42 will supply satellite imagery through its own satellites and from commercial partners.

This raw data will be processed using AI-powered Digital Twin technology, a virtual representation of real-world locations, developed by Space42.

Space42's Thuraya 4 (T4) telecommunications satellite being carried into orbit in January by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Photo: Space42

Esri, which has decades of experience in mapping technology, will use it to help create the main maps by analysing the satellite images. It will also help to train local teams across Africa to manage and update the data in the long term.

Microsoft will provide the secure cloud infrastructure through its Azure platform, allowing for high-speed processing, storage and sharing of large amounts of data.

The maps created will be licensed to national governments, giving them control over future updates.

The data will eventually be stored in African data centres managed by Microsoft and UAE’s G42, the parent company of Space42.

How mapping projects help countries

Mapping initiatives have benefitted other countries, including India, where a nationwide project that started in 2015 helped to improve disaster management by providing real-time data during floods and cyclones.

In Rwanda, high-resolution satellite maps were used to modernise agriculture by helping farmers better manage land, water and crops.

In Indonesia, updated geospatial data has been helpful in reducing the impact of tsunamis and earthquakes. Local agencies use the data to plan evacuation routes and identify high-risk zones.

Existing maps in many African countries are either outdated, incomplete or are unavailable, which makes infrastructure development, planning internet networks or managing disaster difficult.

Economic boost for Africa

Space42 said governments will be able to use the new maps to build smart cities, monitor borders, deploy solar and wind farms in the most efficient locations and respond more effectively to emergencies.

The data will also support a new generation of African tech startups, which can build services using geospatial data.

“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,” said Hasan Al Hosani, chief executive of smart solutions at Space42.

The UAE was the largest foreign investor in Africa in 2024 with $44 billion.

Space42, which trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), was formed last year when UAE satellite company Yahsat merged with AI and mapping firm Bayanat.

Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now

There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:

1. Rising US interest rates

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.

Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”

At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.

2. Stronger dollar

High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”

3. Global trade war

Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”

4. Eurozone uncertainty

Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”

The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”