RCMRD Marks 50 Years of Pioneering Geo-Spatial Solutions for Africa’s Development
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The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) today marked a momentous milestone its 50th anniversary celebrating half a century of driving innovation, research, and regional collaboration in the field of geo-information for sustainable development across Africa.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Kasarani, Nairobi, RCMRD has grown from a small intergovernmental initiative into a pivotal regional institution, now serving over 20 member states across Eastern and Southern Africa. The golden jubilee celebration brought together government officials, scientists, policymakers, partners, and stakeholders from across the continent to reflect on five decades of achievements and chart the future of geospatial solutions for Africa’s development.
Since its inception, RCMRD has been instrumental in enhancing decision-making and policy formulation through the use of spatial data, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS). The Centre’s mission has remained anchored in supporting sustainable development by providing timely and accurate data on critical issues.
Among its flagship initiatives are groundbreaking contributions in:
Agriculture and Food Security: By employing satellite imagery and precision farming technologies, RCMRD has supported governments and organizations in monitoring crop health, predicting yields, and managing agricultural resources more efficiently.
Land Management and Disaster Risk Assessment: The Centre has advanced land use planning, land tenure systems, and risk assessment models that aid in responding to natural hazards such as floods, droughts, and landslides.
Biodiversity and Blue Economy: RCMRD has championed the conservation of ecosystems and the development of sustainable maritime economies through spatial mapping of marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
Data and Innovation Research: Constantly at the frontier of technological advancement, RCMRD has developed tools to monitor environmental degradation, such as a soil erosion monitoring platform, and launched a geoportal to streamline land administration across its member states.
Regional Partnerships and Capacity Building
RCMRD’s role extends beyond technical support; it also acts as a hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through regional workshops and training programs, the Centre engages national and local institutions to strengthen their technical capacity and foster regional integration. Its Geoportal platform, for instance, allows stakeholders to access and share critical spatial data, improving transparency and planning.
Youth Engagement and Competitions
In its golden jubilee year, RCMRD also launched an Arts and Map Competition, inviting young creatives and data enthusiasts from across the continent to visualize African development through maps and art. With a prize pool of €16,000, the competition aims to encourage youth participation in geo-science and foster awareness on the role of spatial data in addressing Africa’s challenges. Submissions and inquiries are being coordinated via [email protected].
As the Centre celebrates its 50th year, RCMRD remains steadfast in its commitment to building a data-driven future for Africa. With the continent facing rising climate-related challenges, rapid urbanization, and evolving development needs, the Centre’s work is more relevant than ever.
In her opening remarks, RCMRD leadership emphasized the importance of leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, and regional cooperation to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“RCMRD has been a beacon of scientific excellence and regional unity. As we celebrate our past, we also look forward to innovating further for a more sustainable, resilient, and informed Africa,” said the Director-General during the celebrations.
The golden jubilee not only commemorates five decades of achievement but also sets the tone for RCMRD’s next chapter one that continues to empower Africa through data, technology, and regional solidarity.
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