race of satellite launching for multiple purposes. The effect of this is that the sources of geogra-
phic and resources data information will increase. Developing countries which have the greatest
need for data and information, for proper inventory and development of their natural resources,
should take advantage of the wealth of available information sources by acquiring necessary
skills and expertise to be able to benefit from the applications of these rapidly advancing techno-
logies.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me now turn to a question which must be uppermost in your mind.
What is the state of the development of syrveying, mapping and remote sensing at national, sub-
regional and regional levels in Africa?
| shall attempt to provide an overview from information available at the secretariat of the
Economic Commission for Africa, based on missions to a large number of African countries
during the past 10 years, to appraise the capacities and capabilities of their national cartograp hic
and remote sensing institutions to provide, at least, basic geographic information data for resour-
ce development and management, etc, we have been able to classify member States’ surveying
and mapping institutions into three broad categories. Firstly, national institutions which are
fairly developed to meet most basic requirements; secondly, national institutions which although
existing are under-developed and therefore are unable to satisfy satisfactorily the national needs;
and, thirdly, national institutions which are still in their embryonic stages.
In the Eastern and Southern African subregion, there are only 7 countries thatcome un
der the first category whilst 9 and 3 come under the second and third categories respectively. In
West Africa, the same number of countries have well developed institutions that can meet basic
needs whilst 6 and 3 countries come under the second and the third categories. In Central Africa
only 3 member States have fairly developed national institutions whilst 3 countries each. come
under the second and the third categories. However, in the Northern African subregion, all the
6 countries have well developed surveying and mapping institutions which can reasonably cater
for the geographic information data required for the pianning and development of their economies,
1/ Eastern and Southern Africa
Category “a” Category ''b" Categor y "c"
1. Kenya 1. Somalia 1. Comoro
2. Uganda 2. Mozambique 2. Angola
3. Tanzania 3. Angola 3. Djibouti
4. Ethiopia 4. Malawi
5. Madagascar 5. Mauritius
6. Zambia 6. Seychelles
7. Zimbabwe 7. Lesotho
8. Swaziland
9. Botswana
West Africa
1. Ghana 1. Niger 1. Guinea
2. Sierra Leone 2. Mali 2. Guinea Bissau
3. Nigeria 3. Mauritania 3. Cape Verde
4, Liberia 4. Togo
5. Senegal 5. Benin
6. Burkina Faso 6. Gambia
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