UAE-based SpaceTech company Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), part of the G42 Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft and Esri. The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Esri’s 2025 User Conference.

The initiative, called the “Map Africa Initiative,” aims to deliver high-resolution, scalable base maps for all 54 African countries. It will serve over 1.4 billion people, creating the most comprehensive base map of the continent to date. The five-year project is expected to address gaps in infrastructure, investment, and data availability across Africa.

The updated mapping system will help drive economic development by improving access to intelligent geospatial solutions. These solutions will support governments, businesses, and communities in both Africa and the UAE.

Space42 will lead fundraising and project management, leveraging its satellite data and AI-powered Digital Twin models to create dynamic, use-specific maps. Esri will provide its remote sensing and GeoAI capabilities, while Microsoft will supply secure cloud infrastructure and an AI framework via Azure.

• The initiative supports national mapping agencies with accurate, updatable data.
• It also aims to create a new commercial ecosystem for African startups.

The project is expected to enhance strategic sectors such as logistics, renewable energy, disaster response, and smart city planning. Data will be stored in Microsoft and G42-managed centers across Africa.

Space42 CEO Hasan Al Hosani emphasized that the partnership aligns with the UAE’s collaborative and innovation-driven approach. He noted that accurate mapping is essential for growth and inclusive innovation.

Esri President Jack Dangermond said the initiative builds on proven geospatial workflows and will enable sustainable development across the continent.

The MoU deepens Space42’s partnerships with Microsoft and Esri, while expanding its presence and commercial opportunities in Africa. It also reflects Space42’s role as a trusted provider of large-scale geospatial solutions for governments.

G42 CEO Peng Xiao stated that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to using AI as a force for good. He said the project will help transform data into development and intelligence into impact.

The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s broader global investment and innovation agenda. The UAE was Africa’s largest foreign investor in 2024, deploying $44 billion. Space42 plays a key role in advancing this agenda through SpaceTech and AI.

The mapping initiative supports long-term goals of smart land use, modern infrastructure, and digital economies across the continent. It also strengthens diplomatic and commercial ties between the UAE and Africa.

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