UN ECA official praises Ethiopia's geospatial and space observation role in Africa

Andre Nonguierma, Chief of the Geospatial Information Management Section at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said Ethiopia is contributing significantly to continental efforts to use geospatial information and space observation for development planning and evidence-based policymaking. He pointed to Ethiopia's satellite launches, its growing use of Earth observation systems and its seat on the bureau of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

Nonguierma described geospatial data as critical infrastructure for sustainable development and urged African states to pool resources and build integrated geospatial and Earth observation systems linked to official statistics. A land surveyor from Eswatini's Surveyor General's Department, Nonmcebo Nkonyane-Simelane, said Ethiopia's experience offers lessons for other countries.

The remarks were made on 19 October 2026 at the Tenth Session of the Statistical Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, held alongside the Twelfth Meeting of the UN-GGIM: Africa Regional Committee.

Why it matters: The call to link Earth observation and geospatial systems with official statistics signals where continental policy is heading. Ethiopia's national space programme is held up as a model for countries building their own capacity.