By Felix Cofie
Africa’s geospatial landscape is set for a major boost as two flagship continental events—the GISAFRICA (AfricaGIS) Conference and the UN-GGIM Africa Workshop on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF)—come together in Accra this November.
The joint gathering, scheduled for 17–19 November 2025, will form one of the most influential platforms ever assembled to advance geospatial innovation, digital transformation and sustainable development on the continent.
The dual event will convene policymakers, government agencies, global experts, academics, private sector innovators and development partners, all aligned toward strengthening Africa’s geospatial ecosystem and accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Unified Platform for Africa’s Geospatial Future
The UN-IGIF Workshop, organised by UN-GGIM Africa in partnership with the UN Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC), UNECA and other collaborators, will focus on building national geospatial capacities, strengthening country action plans and supporting leadership development across the region.
Running alongside it, the GISAFRICA Conference (AfricaGIS 2025) will showcase cutting-edge innovations in Earth observation, AI mapping, land governance, climate resilience tools, and emerging digital geospatial technologies. The conference will feature plenary sessions, exhibitions, youth forums and high-level technical engagements.
Together, the merged platforms aim to deepen cross-border collaboration, stimulate innovation and foster policy dialogue that supports Africa’s sustainable development and digital transformation agendas.
Leaders Welcome Historic Joint Event
Chair of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Surv. Ing. Samuel Larbi Darko, said Ghana is proud to host a combined event of such scale and strategic importance.
“Bringing these two high-level conferences together creates a powerful platform for Africa. It enables us to harmonize national and regional efforts, showcase our innovations and shape the continent’s geospatial development agenda. Ghana is honoured to welcome leaders championing Africa’s future.”International Organising Committee Chair, Mr. Sives Govender, emphasised the global relevance of the conferences.
“This combined event amplifies Africa’s voice in the global geospatial community. It strengthens our collective commitment to geospatial ecosystem development, digital public infrastructure and UN-IGIF implementation. Collaboration at this scale is crucial for sustainable development.”Government Endorsement
Organisers have confirmed that Hon. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, will officially open the dual event—reflecting the government’s commitment to leveraging geospatial information for national planning, environmental sustainability, land administration and digital transformation.
What Participants Can Expect
Attendees will engage in:
• High-level plenaries and policy dialogues
• Multi-stakeholder sessions on UN-IGIF implementation
• AfricaGIS technical sessions and innovation showcases
• Leadership and capacity-building modules
• Youth, academia and private-sector engagements
• Country case studies on geospatial reforms
• Networking opportunities for partnerships and investment
Discussions will also spotlight urgent development challenges including climate change, urbanisation, food security, disaster response and digital inclusion.
A Continental Call to Action
Organisers describe the dual conference as a historic moment for African nations to upgrade geospatial infrastructure, bridge data gaps and accelerate digital transformation across key sectors.
Registration Open
Stakeholders from government, industry, academia, civil society and international organisations are encouraged to register and participate.
Full details and registration are available at: www.eis.africa
