As industrial, agricultural, and mining activities expand rapidly, the continent faces growing pressure to balance economic development with biodiversity protection. The African Data Drive directly addresses this challenge by offering high-quality, accessible spatial data tailored to African ecological and socio-economic contexts.
"We aim to provide practical, African-appropriate screening tools that are recognised and used across a range of socio-economic contexts to drive better decision making," said Wits Professor Sally Archibald.
The tool allows users to assess local biodiversity conservation status, identify risks posed by development, and explore pathways to achieve sustainable outcomes that reflect regional priorities. It also helps policymakers access up-to-date, quality-assured information to craft locally relevant strategies.
According to Dr Duncan MacFayden, Head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations, "In a time where there is much uncertainty and the continent is quickly developing, the ADD is a much-needed innovation. Through the ADD, FEFA pre-empts the needs and pressures that will emerge in coming decades, ensuring locally relevant solutions that secure a sustainable future for Africa across its people, wildlife, and landscapes."
The African Data Drive is built on Google Earth Engine and consolidates curated datasets covering biodiversity, land intactness, and potential zones for mining, agriculture, and industrial growth. Each dataset undergoes a rigorous quality assessment, with ratings that guide users in evaluating data reliability and relevance to African conditions.
Among its features are a Quality Flag system for assessing dataset confidence, tools to weigh trade-offs between conservation and development, visualization of complex spatial information, and access to regional and local datasets often omitted from global platforms.
"By leveraging the expansive network of partners within the Future Ecosystems for Africa team and incorporating unique insights about the mechanisms that allow biodiversity to thrive, we can help fill in the gaps and produce more informative spatial products," added Archibald.
The initiative is supported by collaborations with Rewild Capital and Conservation International. FEFA plans further development of the platform with policy stakeholders, seeking feedback from users and pursuing funding through the International Science Partnerships Fund to expand implementation across select African countries.
Related Links
African Data Drive
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food
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