Africa is a continent of immense diversity, both geographically and economically. For businesses to thrive, they must understand and adapt to this complexity. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) the technology that links data to a specific location on a map is no longer a novelty but a crucial strategic tool. By making the “where” tangible, this software delivers measurable value and drives profitability across key sectors.
Telecommunications: Mapping the Next Frontier of Connectivity
In a market defined by rapid expansion and fierce competition, telecom companies in Africa face a dual challenge: efficiently building new infrastructure and optimizing existing networks to meet soaring demand. A new cell tower in a densely populated area is a smart investment, but how do you identify the ideal location? How do you predict signal coverage in a varied landscape of urban high-rises and rural valleys?
With GIS technology mobile network operators in Africa struggling to optimize network rollout, can use GIS to overlap data on population density, customer call data, and competitor tower locations.
The GIS analysis reveals significant “coverage gaps” areas with high population and mobile usage with poor network service.
By using this insight, telecom companies can be able to strategically place new cell towers and optimize signal boosters; leading to a 25% increase in network coverage in key urban areas and a 15% reduction in customer complaints related to dropped calls and poor data speeds.
Furthermore, the GIS data can also help companies identify the most efficient fiber optic cable routes, minimizing installation costs and time.
Oil & Gas: Securing Assets and Mitigating Environmental Risk
Africa’s oil and gas sector is a critical engine of many economies. However, it is also a sector with significant operational and environmental risks, particularly concerning pipeline infrastructure.
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) emphasized that “GIS solution was effective in assessing and proposing new oil blocks for licensing in Ghana’s first oil & gas bid rounds.” Adding that “this solution was phenomenal in executing the project successfully.”
Also, GIS solutions are used to monitor the vast pipeline network, helping to mitigate massive financial losses, environmental damage, and aid public safety. The software is designed to integrate satellite imagery, drone footage, and sensor data from the pipelines themselves.
When a leak is detected, the GIS system immediately pinpointed the exact location, allowing for a rapid response.
Agriculture: Cultivating Precision and Prosperity
The Challenge: Agriculture, the largest employer in Africa, is often low-yield and vulnerable to climate change. Traditional farming methods lack the data to make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and pest control. This leads to wasted resources and poor harvests.
Implementing a GIS platform that provides farmers with actionable insights – Satellite imagery is used to create detailed maps of each farmer’s plot, showing soil health, vegetation stress, and potential pest outbreaks.
The software data informed farmers on the precise amount of fertilizer to apply and the optimal time for irrigation. This precision agriculture approach led to an average 20% increase in crop yields for participating farmers and a 15% reduction in input costs, directly translating to higher incomes and a more sustainable business model for the cooperative, small and large scale farmers.
Excitingly, There is the Esri User Conference West Africa for Geospatial Technology designed to help industry leaders, and stakeholders get familiar with how satellite technology works, and how to properly integrate its solutions to their respective industries and optimize profits.
“Imagine a room where the people planning tomorrow’s cities are sitting right next to those solving today’s energy shortages, and across from them, the innovators making agriculture smarter and more sustainable. That’s the kind of opportunity this conference unlocks, cross-learning and real solutions that cut across industries.” Corporate Business Development and Marketing Support of Sambus Geospatial Limited (Esri User Conference West Africa Organizers) Surv.(Mrs) Angela Omamuyovwi Anyakora. Expressed.
