Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development

Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development
Name	Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development
Abbreviation	RCMRD
Established	1975
Headquarters	Nairobi, Kenya
Region	Eastern and Southern Africa
Parent organization	United Nations Environment Programme

Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development is an intergovernmental organization based in Nairobi, Kenya, providing geospatial services to countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. It works with international institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank, the African Union, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and bilateral agencies to promote satellite remote sensing, geographic information systems, and capacity building. The Centre collaborates with national ministries, research institutes, universities, and regional bodies to support spatial planning, natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, and development initiatives.

History

The Centre was established in 1975 under an arrangement that involved the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and member states in Eastern and Southern Africa following discussions at meetings involving representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Malawi. Its founding drew on precedents set by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and early remote sensing projects coordinated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency. During the 1980s and 1990s the Centre expanded technical cooperation with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In the 2000s, partnerships deepened with United Nations Development Programme, World Bank Group initiatives, Group on Earth Observations, and regional research networks affiliated with the University of Nairobi, Makerere University, and Addis Ababa University.

Mandate and Objectives

The Centre’s mandate encompasses provision of geospatial information and capacity development to member states and regional organizations such as the African Union Development Agency, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the Southern African Development Community. Its objectives align with international frameworks endorsed by United Nations General Assembly resolutions, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations and supported by United Nations Environment Programme programmes. RCMRD aims to enable evidence-based decision making for ministries and national agencies including ministries of Kenya Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Tanzania Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, and sectoral agencies engaged with Food and Agriculture Organization and International Fund for Agricultural Development initiatives.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Governance is effected through an intergovernmental Council of member states and an Executive Director who liaises with bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and multilateral development banks like the African Development Bank. Technical divisions collaborate with international research centers including the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, the International Livestock Research Institute, and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture. The Centre’s internal structure mirrors practices used by organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and comprises units for remote sensing, geographic information systems, training, and consultancy that liaise with national mapping agencies like the Survey of Kenya and the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics.

Programs and Services

RCMRD provides services in satellite remote sensing, spatial data infrastructure development, land use and land cover mapping, disaster mapping for events like floods and droughts, and training programs modelled after capacity-building initiatives by United Nations Institute for Training and Research and International Telecommunication Union workshops. Projects include support for agricultural monitoring initiatives similar to those run by the Global Agriculture Monitoring (GEOGLAM) community, water resources mapping in manners comparable to United Nations Water, and biodiversity mapping akin to projects by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Centre operates geospatial platforms interoperable with systems from Esri, Google Earth Engine, and data standards endorsed by the Open Geospatial Consortium and the Group on Earth Observations.

Member Countries and Partnerships

Member countries span Eastern and Southern Africa, involving capitals such as Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Harare, and Lilongwe. Strategic partnerships include multilateral organizations United Nations Environment Programme, World Bank, African Development Bank, regional bodies African Union, Southern African Development Community, and bilateral partners like Japan International Cooperation Agency and United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Academic partners include University of Nairobi, Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa University, Stellenbosch University, and international laboratories such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency research programmes.

Funding and Projects

Funding sources combine contributions from member states, project grants from entities such as the World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme, and European Union instruments, as well as technical cooperation funded by bilateral agencies including Japan International Cooperation Agency and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Notable projects have received support aligned with Global Environment Facility priorities, Green Climate Fund readiness activities, and disaster risk interventions referenced by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Project themes have included land degradation neutrality efforts linked to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, urban spatial planning initiatives comparable to UN-Habitat programmes, and inland water resource mapping with inputs from International Water Management Institute.

Impact and Criticisms

RCMRD’s outputs have supported national mapping agencies, informed policy processes at the African Union, and contributed datasets used in studies by the World Bank and research published via collaborations with International Livestock Research Institute and International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology. Critics point to challenges similar to those faced by regional institutions such as dependence on external donor funding seen with United Nations Development Programme partners, issues of data sharing mirrored in debates within the Open Geospatial Consortium, and capacity retention concerns noted in collaborations involving universities like University of Nairobi and Makerere University. Debates within regional policy forums such as meetings of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the East African Community have highlighted the need for sustained national investment, clearer governance mandates, and alignment with continental strategies set by the African Union.

Category:International organisations based in Kenya