The presentation describes the creation of a national mean annual rainfall map for Zambia using satellite data (TAMSAT in this case). The presentation discusses topics of data manipulation and the processes of data transformation across various formats. The presentation's focus on how terrain and land use affect mean yearly rainfall is particularly noteworthy. The climate above the land surface is influenced by its features and cover. Other aspects of satellite data's utility for rainfall mapping are briefly reviewed, as well as the many types of satellite data sources and their benefits and disadvantages.
The presentation explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence—particularly neural networks and machine learning—on the geospatial industry. It traces the evolution from early AI models to today’s advanced large language models and AI agents, highlighting their ability to bridge the complexity gap in spatial data analysis. Using case studies from GeoScope’s work across South Africa and other African countries, we demonstrate how AI enables high-resolution geodemographic segmentation, MSME mapping, LSM estimation, and spatial epidemiology. The presentation emphasizes AI’s growing role in democratizing geospatial intelligence, supporting smarter infrastructure planning, economic inclusion, public health, and environmental sustainability.
In response to Cape Town’s water crisis, Zutari partnered with the City to develop a digital decision support platform that began the journey toward a more connected, data-enabled water system.
By bringing together real-time feeds, manual inputs, and geospatial data into a unified interface, the platform empowered teams to make faster, more informed decisions. But the real shift came in changing how people interacted with data — simplifying tools, offering hands-on support, and building trust.
The presentation reports on financial and membership matters pertaining to GISSA.
1map has been at the forefront of spatial innovation in South Africa’s local government sector, with its CityManager application driving significant revenue growth by bridging the gap between GIS and municipal finance. While South Africa remains our core market, interest from regions as diverse as Nigeria, Burundi, California, and Australia has highlighted the broader relevance of our approach. Most notably, our growing engagement in the Benelux—particularly Flanders and the Netherlands—has revealed a surprising alignment in culture, values, and opportunity. This presentation shares some of the key lessons we’ve learnt while exploring the European municipal landscape, highlights emerging trends in GIS-enabled governance, and offers a forward-looking perspective on how spatial intelligence can support better decision-making across borders.
