Project overview

More information on our activities, goals and aspirations

Project summary

Geodesy measures the Earth's time-variable size, shape, and gravity. Its role is fundamental to various scientific fields, including navigation and mapping, climate change, engineering, meteorology, and natural hazards. The precise geographical information systems (GIS) produced by geodesy are essential for providing services to individuals, households, and businesses, managing land rights and development permits, and developing and maintaining national and regional infrastructures for access to water, waste management, electricity, transport, education, health facilities, markets, and security. Consequently, geodesy has been recognised for its direct and indirect contribution to all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the status of geodetic infrastructure across the African continent requires thorough documentation, and the existing infrastructure must be expanded to enable African nations to effectively participate in and contribute to global geodesy.

This project aims to tackle these challenges by establishing a comprehensive understanding and enhancement of the geodetic infrastructure in Africa. It will evaluate the current state of geodetic equipment, computational infrastructure, and human capacity across key African nations, including South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. By conducting a thorough inventory and analysis of existing resources, the project will pinpoint critical gaps and opportunities for improvement and strategically plan for new infrastructure development. The project will address these challenges by employing advanced simulation techniques to determine where new infrastructure would be most advantageous, ensuring that future investments are strategically targeted and cost-effective for maximum impact. This foundational work is vital for enabling Africa to develop a robust and sustainable geodetic infrastructure that aligns with global standards and caters to the continent's unique needs.

One of the most significant benefits of this project is its potential to substantially enhance Africa's contribution to global geodesy. By establishing the groundwork for improved infrastructure and capacity, the project will enable African nations to take a more active role in international geodetic initiatives, such as those outlined in the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/266, "A Global Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development." This will benefit the scientific community and assist policymakers in making informed decisions related to various areas, such as climate change, disaster management, and urban planning.

Besides its scientific and policy implications, the project will provide broader societal benefits. By raising awareness of the importance of geodesy and encouraging greater participation from underrepresented groups, particularly women, the project will foster a more inclusive and diverse geodetic community in Africa. Moreover, the knowledge and skills acquired through this project will find applications beyond geodesy, bolstering advancements in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

In summary, this project seeks to establish a robust foundation for the future development of geodetic infrastructure in Africa, ensuring that the continent is well-positioned to meet its own needs while contributing to global geodetic science. The project will create the necessary conditions to establish GGOS Africa, an affiliate of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), through detailed infrastructure assessments, capacity building, and strategic planning. This regional body will coordinate geodetic activities and further integrate Africa into the global geodetic community.

To find out more about this project, our objectives, and our planned activities, please take a look at our five work packages via the links below:

Work package 1 - Project office

Objective(s):

  1. Develop the governance, structures, and processes to enable and monitor the project and ensure all deliverables and milestones are achieved.
  2. Report to relevant stakeholders and funders.

Feasability & impact:

The project team comprises of experts with a proven track record in research and project management, ensuring the project's feasibility. The governance structure will provide oversight and direction, minimising risks and ensuring the project stays on track.
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Work package 2 - Assessment of geodetic infrastructure in Africa

Objective(s):

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current status of geodetic equipment, computational infrastructure, and human capacity across the participating countries.

Activities:

  • Data collection: Develop and distribute surveys to collect data on existing geodetic infrastructure, including GNSS stations, VLBI stations, and data processing centres. Conduct site visits to verify the data and assess the infrastructure's operational status.
  • Computational infrastructure assessment: Evaluate the availability and effectiveness of computational resources, including software tools and data processing capabilities. This will include assessing the knowledge and skills of local staff in using these tools.
  • Human capacity assessment: Assess the current level of expertise in geodesy and related fields, identifying gaps in knowledge and training needs.
  • Data analysis: Analyse the collected data to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. The analysis will also highlight regions with critical infrastructure gaps.

Deliverables:

  • A detailed inventory report of existing geodetic and computational infrastructure.
  • An assessment report identifying gaps and needs in human capacity.

Feasability & impact:

Surveys and site visits ensure thorough and accurate data collection. By including computational infrastructure and human capacity in the assessment, the project provides a holistic view of the current state of geodetic capabilities in Africa, laying the groundwork for targeted improvements.
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Work package 3 - Simulations and strategic planning for infrastructure development

Objective(s):

Utilise simulations and geospatial analysis to identify optimal locations for new geodetic infrastructure and develop a strategic plan for infrastructure enhancement in conjunction with work package five.

Activities:

  • Simulation development: Collaborate with computational experts to develop simulation models that analyse current infrastructure gaps and predict the impact of new infrastructure placement. Softwaresuch as VieVS (for VLBI), GAMIT/GLOBK (for GNSS), and GipsyX (for GNSS, SLR and DORIS) will achieve this.
  • Geospatial analysis: Conduct geospatial analysis to determine the best locations for new geodetic infrastructure. This includes GNSS stations, very long baseline interferometry stations, and data centres that can process the data. Seismic activity, climate monitoring needs, and accessibility will be considered.
  • Strategic plan development: Based on the simulation and geospatial analysis results, develop a strategic plan that outlines recommended locations for new infrastructure and identifies priorities for infrastructure enhancement.
  • Stakeholder consultation: Engage with national and regional stakeholders to review and refine the strategic plan, ensuring it aligns with local needs and priorities.

Deliverables:

  • Simulation models for infrastructure planning.
  • A strategic infrastructure development plan to be presented at the planned workshops to relevant stakeholders.
  • Stakeholder engagement reports.

Feasability & impact:

Advanced simulation techniques and geospatial analysis ensure that infrastructure development is data-driven and strategically targeted. By involving stakeholders in the planning process, the project ensures that the strategic plan is relevant, feasible, and has broad support.
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Work package 4 - Building the foundation for GGOS-Africa

Objective(s):

Lay the groundwork for establishing GGOS Africa, a regional GGOS affiliate coordinating geodetic activities across the continent.

Activities:

  • Application preparation: Develop the necessary documentation and engage with GGOS to apply for GGOS Africa's status as an affiliate. This will include outlining the structure, objectives, and governance of GGOS-Africa.
  • Stakeholder engagement: Engage with national and regional geodetic agencies, universities, and research institutions to build support for GGOS-Africa and ensure broad participation. This will be done through the two planned workshops and one-off virtual and in-person meetings.
  • Coordination with GGOS: Work closely with GGOS to align GGOS-Africa's activities with global geodetic standards and initiatives. This will involve participating in GGOS meetings and contributing to international discussions on geodetic infrastructure.
  • Operational planning: Develop an operational plan for GGOS Africa, including funding strategies, staffing, and collaboration frameworks.

Deliverables:

  • A completed application for GGOS Africa's affiliation.
  • Stakeholder engagement reports and letters of support.
  • An operational plan for GGOS Africa.

Feasability & impact:

Establishing GGOS Africa will create a lasting impact by providing a coordinated, continent-wide approach to geodetic activities. GGOS's involvement ensures that GGOS Africa will be well-integrated into the global geodetic community, enhancing the sustainability and relevance of the project's outcomes.
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Work package 5 - Sustaining and expanding the initiative

Objective(s):

  1. Ensure the long-term sustainability of the project's outcomes and explore opportunities for expanding the initiative to cover more regions and aspects of geodesy. This would include applying for new funding opportunities.
  2. Build an operational plan to enhance African geodesists' and computational experts' skills and knowledge and ensure the effective management and use of geodetic infrastructure.
  3. Raise awareness of the importance of geodesy in sustainable development and promote the project's findings to a broad audience.
  4. Develop plans for human capital development (HCD) programmes that would enhance the skills and knowledge of African geodesists and computational experts to ensure the effective management and use of geodetic infrastructure.

Activities:

  • Communication materials: In conjunction with the UN-GCCE, create policy briefs, case studies, and success stories that highlight geodesy's societal and economic benefits. These materials will be tailored for different audiences, including policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Outreach: Launch campaigns to promote geodesy as a career path, mainly targeting women and underrepresented groups. This will include some outreach activities in schools and universities.
  • Dissemination of findings: Publish the project's findings in academic journals, conference proceedings, and on public platforms. Ensure that the data and reports are accessible to the broader research community.
  • Human capital development planning: Develop strategies for HCD programmes, including training programs, workshops, seminars, and exchange programmes.

Deliverables:

  • Briefs that highlight the impact of geodesy.
  • Summary reports of this projects outreach, development activities and community engagement.
  • A sustainability and expansion plan which would identify key funding opportunities and strategies for maintaining GGOS-Africa, building infrastructure, enhancing human capital development and securing the geodetic supply chain.

Feasability & impact:

The sustainability and expansion plan will ensure the project's outcomes are maintained and built upon, creating a legacy that benefits the entire continent. Increasing awareness of geodesy on the continent will ensure it becomes a priority with local and international organisations and governments. The project will continue to grow and contribute to global geodesy long after the initial project period by exploring opportunities to scale up the initiative and strengthen partnerships.
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