Implementation of the African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) project proposal

Abstract

The African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) was conceived as a unified geodetic reference frame for Africa, fully consistent with the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), which will form the foundation of national and regional three-dimensional reference networks. AFREF will be composed of a network of control points where precise observations will be made and used to define an African reference frame that will produce the best filling datum for Africa. The density of the network will be such that positioning professionals (surveyors, engineers, environmentalists, agriculturalists, mineral prospectors, etc.) would always be within a reasonable distance of at least one such control point from anywhere in Africa. The relevant parameters of the network will be made freely available to practitioners.