Interim report on the impact of corona virus disease (COVID-19) on geospatial activities in Africa: the preparedness of African national mapping agencies

Abstract

A survey was conducted by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of national mapping agencies (NMAs) and identify the challenges they face and potential responses. The survey was developed and implemented jointly by the African Centre for Statistics, the Geospatial Information Management Section at ECA and African national mapping agencies. The findings of the survey are based on 431 responses contained in 17 fully completed survey questionnaires that were received from African national mapping agencies. The pandemic has adversely affected NMAs in all 17 countries, all of which have implemented social distancing measures or closed their offices. Mapping activities have been impeded due to flexible working schedules or shift work for employees. The survey, which explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the production or the updating of fundamental and thematic datasets, revealed that 11 of the 17 countries that completed the survey questionnaire had either postponed or cancelled activities related to the production of fundamental and thematic datasets.