Revolutionalising Geospatial Technology in Africa: Awareness Creation on the Available Services and Use of GEONETcast Toolbox

Abstract

Geospatial technology affects almost every aspect of life. The world is so interconnected and everything is based on spatial relationships. A Geospatial technology is a term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the earth and human societies. These technologies have been evolving since the first maps were drawn in prehistoric times. There has been intense use of these technologies for a variety of applications in the developed countries and in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. Unfortunately, exploration of the same in Africa remains a challenge. Consequently, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) developed the GEONETCast toolbox facility with a focus on Africa’s geospatial needs. It calls for coordination of the Earth Observation systems of various countries, promotes the concept of establishing a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) that will yield a broad range of societal benefits such as: understanding factors affecting human well-being; understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to climate variability and change; improving water resource management; improving weather information, forecasting and warning; reducing loss of life and property due to disasters; supporting sustainable agriculture; combating desertification; improving management of energy resources; and protection of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. This paper will raise awareness of this facility among African geospatial users, researchers, students, business community and educators, among others.