The civil society organization AfroLeadership, based in Cameroon and serving a wide swath of sub-Saharan Africa, has become a member of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). With this step, it can leverage OGC’s capabilities and community to support AfroLeadership’s advocacy for transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in public policies through open data generally, and geospatial data standards specifically.
OGC works across sectors and technologies that create and rely on geospatial data. It brings together experts and innovators to advance these standards and ensure they evolve with the technology shaping our future. Among its recent projects, AfroLeadership has conducted studies on internet connectivity in rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa, and on the responsible and ethical use of data and AI. It has also advocated for improved data rights as well as digital rights, and promoted open data to enhance good governance in Africa.
“With AfroLeadership joining our community, OGC will be better positioned than ever to serve as a hub for collaboration among African countries, empowering a range of voices to engage actively in development,” said OGC Chief Executive Officer, Peter Rabley. “This step demonstrates the power of open data and standards to support civil society. We are proud to partner with AfroLeadership in their ongoing work to scale open systems for the benefit of all.”
“OGC standards are meant to serve all the citizens of the world, and particularly the underserved among them, in the spirit of leaving no one behind,” said AfroLeadership President Charlie Martial Ngounou. “Joining the OGC Community shouts out the commitment to Africa, and especially the non-technical communities that are not usually counted on global standards maps. We are grateful that the contribution of AfroLeadership to open systems, governance, human rights, and ethical values in the data economy is recognized and accounted for.”
About OGC
The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a membership organization dedicated to using the power of geography and technology to solve problems faced by people and the planet. OGC unlocks value and opportunity for its members through Standards, Innovation, and Policy & Advocacy. Our membership represents a diverse and active global community drawn from government, industry, academia, international development agencies, research & scientific organizations, civil society, and advocates. Visit ogc.org for more information about our work.
About AfroLeadership
AfroLeadership is a pan-African non-governmental organization working for open systems, ethical governance, and respect for human rights in the global data economy. It promotes sustainable development as the result of balanced power-sharing between state actors and citizens. As it advocates for FAIR Principles, AfroLeadership empowers citizens and communities to actively engage in the development of Africa. AfroLeadership is headquartered in Cameroon, with representatives in several countries in Africa. Visit afroleadership.org for more information.