Space42, Microsoft, Esri Launch Pan‑African Mapping Initiative
Space42, the UAE-based global AI-powered SpaceTech company under the G42 technology group, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft and Esri. Together, they will deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps for all 54 African countries. The initiative, titled the Map Africa Initiative, aims to support over 1.4 billion people by addressing existing gaps in infrastructure, investment, and institutional capabilities.
Signed at the Esri 2025 User Conference, this five-year collaboration will create the most comprehensive base map of Africa to date. In doing so, it will unlock access to intelligent geospatial solutions that empower governments, businesses, and communities. The initiative is expected to accelerate economic development across Africa and the UAE, offering precise and accessible data to national and regional stakeholders.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42, remarked, “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.”
Collaboration to Strengthen Geospatial Capacity Across Africa
Africa currently suffers from fragmented, outdated, and often inaccessible maps. As a result, governments and businesses are forced to make critical decisions with insufficient data. The Map Africa Initiative aims to solve this by producing continent-wide geospatial data that is accurate, timely, and locally managed. The collaboration also emphasizes long-term sustainability and capacity-building throughout its lifecycle.
Space42 will lead project management, fundraising, and satellite data provision through its sovereign capacities and commercial partnerships. Furthermore, it will develop AI-powered Digital Twin models for dynamic, purpose-specific outputs and will oversee R&D efforts for new AI innovations and workflow automation.
Meanwhile, Esri will orchestrate map production workflows using GeoAI and remote sensing. It will also support regional hubs for training local teams, ensuring the development of internal capabilities within African nations. Microsoft’s role includes providing secure cloud infrastructure and the Azure-based AI framework to manage data processing and integration at scale.
Jack Dangermond, President of Esri, said, “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.”
Catalyzing Growth, Innovation, and Opportunity
The initiative is expected to create broad, long-term benefits across multiple sectors. For instance, in ports and logistics, improved route planning will reduce inefficiencies and support Africa’s emergence as a global logistics hub. In renewable energy, advanced site selection models will optimize solar and wind deployment, enhancing efficiency and investment returns. Governments will also benefit from better tools for border monitoring, natural resource tracking, and emergency response coordination.
Additionally, the initiative will enable more effective urban planning, public service delivery, and smart city development by providing reliable digital mapping. Crucially, national governments will receive licensed data, enabling long-term control and updates through their respective National Mapping Agencies.
Over time, the project is also expected to foster a thriving ecosystem of African startups and geospatial entrepreneurs. Eventually, the datasets will be stored in data centers managed by Microsoft and G42 across the continent, ensuring accessibility and security.
Peng Xiao, Group Chief Executive Officer at G42, stated, “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 optimization and natural resource management to strengthening public services infrastructure and economic empowerment, this partnership will help turn data into development, and intelligence into impact.”
He added, “G42’s partnership with Microsoft represents a shared commitment to harnessing AI as a global force for good. Together, we are building the infrastructure and applications that will extend the benefits of intelligence to communities across the world, transforming lives through technology that is trusted, responsible, and inclusive.”
Strategic Expansion of UAE’s Global Tech Footprint
The initiative aligns strongly with the UAE’s global innovation and investment strategy. In 2024 alone, the UAE invested $44 billion in Africa, making it the continent’s largest foreign investor. This nearly equals the combined investments of both the UK and China. Through Space42, the UAE is not only strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties but also exporting AI and geospatial expertise that drives data-led development.
By enhancing its space ecosystem and encouraging knowledge transfer, the UAE is contributing to the creation of innovation-driven economies in both regions. For African nations, the benefits will be tangible in terms of smarter land use, improved resilience, and future-ready infrastructure. Meanwhile, the UAE gains strategic access to high-growth markets and consolidates its role as a leader in AI-powered space technologies.
Ultimately, the Map Africa Initiative reinforces Space42’s status as a premier partner for governments seeking large-scale geospatial intelligence. It also opens new avenues for licensing, analytics, and infrastructure development making it both a strategic statement and a commercial gateway for future ventures
