ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA

INFRASTRUCTURE (NSDI) IN TANZANIA: SOME

INITIATIVES SINCE MARCH 2003

Shirima, S.A.P- Principal Land Surveyor (MLHHSD)

Box 9132 Dar es Salaam , sapshirima@yahoo.co.uk

PAPER PRESENTED TO THE WORKSHOP ON ROLE OF GEOIFORMATION IN

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday 14th September 2011

SUMMARY

Promotion of NSDI awareness involves seminars, workshops and conferences whereby papers

can be presented to enlighten potential stakeholders on the concept. Further, pilot SDI’s can be

implemented as a strategy towards concretization of the concept. The idea of NSDI

establishment in Tanzania was conceived since March 2003 but up to now little progress is

realized.

Since the concept is important and it motivates sustainable economic growth through spatial

data/information sharing and optimization of its use, it is important to continue awareness and

sensitization campaign so that finally it can be realized. This paper tries to highlight the general

status of NSDI in the country by navigating through the various initiatives since 2003. Further,

the paper highlights on the NSDI drivers, the challenges and the recommendation for the way

forward.

Finally, the paper concludes with some recommendations for some pilot SDI’s as a strategy

towards winning the government commitment and funding for the designing and implementation

of a Tanzanian NSDI.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is a conceptual framework which enables spatial data

(directly or indirectly georeferenced data) sharing, integration and interoperable

(collaborative usage of spatial data for various applications in technical, environmental

and socio-economic problem solving contexts). Each jurisdiction level can have a SDI.

So, it is possible to have Local SDI’s, Organization SDI’s, Municipal SDI’s, Regional

SDI’s, National SDI’s (NSDI’s), Global SDI, etc. The objectives of these SDI’s is the

same except that, they differ in contexts and consequently in design, scale and contents.

Lower level SDI’s are more detailed than higher level ones (Rajabifard, A., 2002.)

National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDI) has emerged as the way of enabling

interoperability throughout a country. Henceforth, NSDI can be defined as an umbrella of

policies, standards, and procedures under which organizations and technologies interact

to foster more efficient use, management, and production of geographic or spatial data.

Establishment of NSDI in Tanzania would cut down spatial data production and

operational costs in projects, service delivery, improve spatial data access, delivery and

use in the country. To achieve this, a NSDI connects all the parties that somehow use or

produce spatial data via a computer network namely the internet (Çetin CÖMERT, 2007)

Fig1: Components of NSDI (adopted from Çetin CÖMERT, 2007)

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The establishment of National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDI) would be the right

direction in the country as it aims at promoting and establishing it at national level for the

availability of organized spatial (and non-spatial) data and further, it facilitates multi-

level information networking to contribute to local, national, regional and global needs

for sustainable economic growth, environmental quality, social progress and stability.

(Taskforce on NSDI India, 2001,). In Tanzanian context NSDI will enhance social-

economic development through National coordinated and Integrated Economic

Development Planning Implementation for a harmonized National Development

Henceforth the concept needs to be developed and promoted so that all potential spatial

information stake holders in the country can realize their role in the framework for

effective implementation and adoption in the national development programs.

2. RELEVANCE OF NSDI IN TANZANIA

Through the NSDI spatial information can be shared and used among stakeholders in the

national framework at different jurisdiction levels to promote harmonized sustainable

development. Spatial information is essential as it describes the location of resources in a

way that gives understanding and relativity to other objects or resources for their

sustainable use and exploitation. Spatial information plays a significant role in many

social, economic and political decisions. Governments, business and the general public

rely heavily on spatial information for their daily decision making. They consider spatial

information as a resource and also part of fundamental infrastructure that needs to be

coordinated and managed accordingly for effectively. Use of spatial data and spatial

information in any field or discipline particularly in resources management requires SDI

to link data producers, providers and value adders to data users. NSDI provides ready

access to spatial information to support decision making at different scales (dimensions)

for multiple purposes. Potentially NSDI enables sharing of business goals, strategies

processes, operation and value added products (Vaez, S.S. Feb, 2010).

Sharing and exchange of spatial information through NSDI optimizes uses of the

information and consequently reduces costs, as duplication efforts are tremendously

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reduced and consequently reducing projects costs. The reduction of costs in spatial

information acquisition by adopting sharing emphasizes the needs for NSDI particularly

in developing nations where hard currency availability is limited accordingly. As a

national infrastructure, NSDI must have the potential to serve as “one-stop” source of

spatial information required for sustainable development and socio-economic growth.

The NSDI would enable the following:

(i). Spatial Information Society: Synergy of information, technology and

access to spatial datasets and information.

(ii). Expansion of spatial information interdependence.

(iii). Increased emphasis on sustainability in exploitation of natural resources

and in national development projects.

(iv). Emergency of community based governance through integrated and

coordinated development planning, implementation and monitoring.

(v). Benefits to the individual through value addition to spatial

data/information thus generating useful products.

3.0 NSDI DRIVERS

Currently there are several factors pushing the development and implementation of

NSDI in Tanzania. Such drivers can be enumerated generally as follows:-

(i). Reduction of duplication efforts in spatial data capture at all jurisdiction levels in

the country as a strategy towards costs reduction in projects expenditure by

ensuring that spatial data access and sharing is enabled throughout the country.

(ii). Increased data volume in Spatial data archives motivated sharing so as to promote

spatial data mining for spatial information discovery and value addition by other

partners.

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(iii). Technology development in spatial data acquisition, processing and

communication via networks due to developments in electronics engineering,

sensor technology, computer technology, computing, space technologies and

communication engineering has improved data capture, exchange of information

and sharing at high speed as one of the key requirements in NSDI.

(iv). The need to have comprehensive knowledge based solutions for problems arising

in the society namely, climatic, security, business management and promotion,

social, economical, political, environmental etc. Comprehensive solutions require

knowledge integration from various datasets which may be acquired from

different custodians through sharing.

(v). The need for sustainable management of natural resources, the environment,

social, economical, technical and political issues demands reliable spatial

information for proper and effective decisions from different sources.

(vi). The increased complexity of problems arising in the society calls for evidence

based solutions and efficient decisions in such issues like disasters projection and

preparedness, risk assessment and management through proper integration of

spatial information from different sources.

(vii). National security enhancement, through improved strategic planning for field

teams deployment, real time monitoring of operations and coordination, and

evaluation thereafter through the use of proper spatial information from different

sources.

(viii) The need for Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaboration in innovations and

efficiency enhancement in the spatial information industry.

(ix). Enhancement of Land Governance for poverty reduction, property taxation

planning and management, timely conflict resolution and reduction, land use and

land use changes monitoring, disasters management, identification of disaster

prone areas, coastal and marine environment monitoring and management etc.

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(x). The need to increase rate of production of maps both topographic and thematic and

management of international and administrative boundaries from different sources

of spatial data and information.

4.0 NSDI STATUS IN TANZANIA

Currently Tanzania does not have a working NSDI. Data sharing and exchange for

interoperability is cumbersome and thus duplication of efforts in spatial data collection is

common in both public and private sectors. The economic potency of the spatial

data/information is not yet appreciated as the cornerstone for economic and strategic

planning in all sector of the economy in the country. Given the pressure being exerted by

international institutions such as the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) and the

United Nations Spatial Data Infrastructure (UNSDI) the designation of Tanzanian NSDI

will be inevitable in the near future not mainly because of external pressure but basically

due to its efficiency in promoting sustainable development and socio-economic growth.

A NSDI operates efficiently on the basis of the following key components:

Spatial data/information,

Policy framework,

Standards on such aspects like formats, accuracy, etc.

People (brain ware),

Accessing Network, and

Software Tools.

The most important and costly component is the spatial data. With the exception of

formal policy on spatial data infrastructure other components are in place in the country.

Henceforth, establishment of NSDI basically depends entirely on the existence of

governments will or commitment on the concept. Absence of commitment on the part of

government is mainly attributed by the limited understanding of the SDI concepts by key

stakeholders. This situation calls for sensitization and awareness on the concepts to all

key/potential stakeholders and especially policy makers so as to make the concept of

NSDI acceptable for development and implementation in the country. NSDI is a tool for

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development as it supports proper economic growth through sustainable usage and

effective utilization of available natural resources including land. It is thus important to

consider accordingly the possibility for building NSDI to exploit its potency in the

national economic growth and sustainable development.

5.0 NSDI INITIATIVES IN TANZANIA

NSDI initiatives in Tanzania started way back in March 2003 with a forum consisting

geospatial information users to discuss issues pertinent to GIS/SDI (Mtalo, E.G., 2003).

This forum culminated with a record of proceedings on first workshop on GIS and SDI in

Tanzania which was held from 27th March – 28th March 2003. The workshop ended up

with several propositions aimed at creating a favourable environment which will enable

for a smooth designation and establishment of NSDI in Tanzania. The forum appointed

an Interim Steering Committee (ISC) to work on critical issues such as:

Policy framework

Identification of critical issues pertinent to spatial data e.g. formats, standards,

metadata etc.

Further the forum deliberated that the National Bureau of Statistic (NBS) should

spearhead the formation NSDI. That is, NBS should coordinate all the meetings and

secure funds for facilitating awareness and sensitization among potential stakeholders.

Another NSDI – Initiative Workshop was held from 19th – 20th May 2003 at the

University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UC LAS) now Ardhi University

(ARU) whereby, the Interim Steering Committee appointed Professor P. Yanda of the

Institute of Resources Assessment (IRA) at the University of Dar es Salaam and Dr. F.N.

Lugoe a Consultant on Land matters to work on NSDI policy. Up to now an unprocessed

draft of NSDI policy is in place. Such policy needs to pass through policy processes so

as to qualify it as a NSDI policy thus committing the Government. The policy will later

on be used to guide the designation and implementation of NSD in Tanzania. The draft

was completed in March 2007, but its progress is hindered by lack of funding. NBS as

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the leading agency needs to own the draft and proceed for further processing though

stakeholders opinions are important prior to the continuation of the process.

The Surveys and Mapping Division (SMD) under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and

Human Settlement Development (MLHHSD) as the custodian of spatial /geospatial data

in the country as mandated by the National Land Policy and the Land Surveying

Ordinance is supporting NBS in the leading assignment, particularly on geospatial data

acquisition, quality assessment and management in general. Currently SMD is

implementing various projects which will improve spatial data capturing and its quality

so that finally reliable geospatial data can be available in the NSDI. Such projects being

implemented under Business Environment Strengthening in Tanzania (BEST) program in

the Land reform component and they include:

(i). Redesigning and implementation of the National Geodetic Network (NGN) in

the country – This project will enable for the acquisition of accurate and

consistent framework (fundamental/core ) data to which all geospatial data

will be anchored.

(ii) Construction and establishment of a Ground Satellite Receiving Station

(GSRS) for the purpose of receiving digital Satellite images for further

processing so as to generate spatial data and information as an essential input

into the NSDI. Globally this is the most efficient way of capturing geospatial

data which when properly georeferenced will support vast number

activities/operations in the country.

(iii) Village boundary Surveys and revival of international boundaries through

verification and re-observation. This effort will ensure availability of

boundary data which is also an essential input into NSDI.

At the same time, the Ministry is working on an Integrated Land Information System

(ILIS) for an effective Land Governance. Such a system will be a component in NSDI

and it will facilitate effective delivery of services in Land Administration and

Management.

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All such efforts are contributions/initiatives towards the establishment of NSDI in the

country. Currently the SMD is working on SDI pilot project which involve the Ministries

of:

i). Infrastructure Development

2). Education and Vocational Training

3). Agriculture and Food Security

4). Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development.

The pilot will enable SMD to establish the pros and cons of SDI before embarking on the

big project of NSDI. It is believed that such undertaking will enlighten the government

on the efficacy of SDI in informed decision making for National Development and timely

effectively service delivery.

6.0 CHALLENGES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Tanzania as a country is determined to design and establish a NSDI so as to harness its

potentiality in promoting economic growth through sustainable usage of its natural resources and

integrated coordinated national development programmes. Researches have established that over

80% of the data required for economic planning is spatial in nature (Kufoniyi, 2004) because the

spatial data shows the proximity where the natural resources are located and the quality and

quantity of the resources can be estimated from the non-spatial data associated with the spatial

data. Such spatial information is vital in sustainable economic planning and implementation.

Absence of such information makes planning to be comparable to walking through the darkness

or working from a black box. Administrators and politicians are beginning to recognize spatial

information as a national resource as well as part of the basic infrastructure that needs to be

efficiently

coordinated and managed in the interest of the nation. Henceforth it is very important to develop

policies for standardization, legal issues, pricing, distribution, metadata, access, etc.

(Ryttergaard, 2001). Ting, 2003 speaks of synergetic relationship between good governance and

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information, whereby good governance creates a healthy legal, institutional and socio-political

and economic framework for information flow. This information flow in turn facilitates sound

(informed) decision-making for good governance. This support for decision making provides

impetus to organize data across disciplines and organizations through SDI development

(Warnest, 2005). Sustainable development effectively incorporates economic social, political,

environmental and resource management factors into decision making. The challenge of

balancing these competitive objectives in decision making requires access to accurate and

relevant information in a readily interactive form. NSDI plays a critically important role in

delivering this objective. At this juncture it is important to explore the challenges hindering the

development and implementation of NSDI in Tanzania after realizing its relevance in economic

growth of the country.

The challenges are the one reducing the pace towards NSDI development. These challenges

need to be addressed/ironed out so as to allow for smooth development and implementation of

the infrastructure. Some of the key challenges are:-

(i). Political Will – Without the Governments Commitment in the infrastructure it

will never be developed. This challenge can be resolved by working on small

SDI projects which can demonstrate the efficacy of SDI in various undertakings

e.g. in Land Governance, Environment Management, Urban Planning and

Management, in suitability analysis etc. The tangible results can influence

decision maker’s perception and understanding of SDI.

ii). Capacity Building – This aspect refers to availability of proper human resource

to design, implement and operationalize the infrastructure, equipment and

geospatial laboratories. The current situation is not to the required standards.

Henceforth large amounts of funds are required to acquire the essential resources

namely hardware, software and human resource. Funding is a big problem

because of limited budget in the Government. Implementation of pilot projects

giving tangible results will invoke consideration for funding on the government

part.

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(iii) Technology: There is much development in electronics engineering, computer

technology, computing, data communication and database technologies. These

developments can support effectively the development and implementation of

NSDI. The problem lies on the availability of funding and the relevant human

resource to use the technology effectively. The situation can thus be resolved by

acquiring more funding and by putting in place an implementable training

programme for the purpose of acquiring the required technical personnel.

(iv). Data – This is a Critical issue in NSDI and generally good quality data consumes

most of the investment. But without data the primary objective of NSDI will

never be achieved, A critical look at data shows that, available data in the country

is scattered and heterogeneous. It needs to be harmonized accordingly prior to its

use in NSDI. Data is a big challenge. A thorough review of the issue of data

shows that, there are some key issues of data which needs to be addressed

accordingly. The issues includes:-

Availability – The data sources and its reliability. Sources for secondary data

should be trustworthy and primary data should be captured by some reliable

mechanisms which includes equipment and personnel.

Standards – The captured data should comply with relevant standards which allow

geospatial data exchange and sharing for effective application and

interoperability. Such standards should be spelled out accordingly e.g. formats,

quality, access standards and protocols, metadata specifications, etc.

Data Access – in this aspect issue of spatial data communication and

clearinghouses needs to be addressed accordingly for implementation of NSDI –

There is a need to have a National Geo-portal which will facilitate “one stop” data

access for effective usage.

(v). Absence of NSDI policy – A 2nd of draft of NSDI policy is in place since March 2007

(Yanda, P. and Lugoe, E.N., 2007). This policy draft has never undergone policy

processes so it is not a formal policy yet. A policy needs to be in place for proper

designation and implementation of a viable NSDI.

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(vi). Inadequate Legal Framework – The existing legal frame cannot effectively support

harmonious operationalization of NSDI in the country because some legal issues needs to

be reviewed e.g. intellectual property rights and copyright issues, access modalities etc.

(vii). Lack of Funding – Funding is critical. Unless adequate funds are available, realization

of NSDI will be impossible. Since all Ministries and Institutions are going to benefit

from the NSDI it will be logical if they can budget for it and latter on, the funds can be

pulled down to one basket, the NSDI basket. A component on the National budget which

can be referred to as spatial information acquisition for decision making can be budgeted

in each Ministry and Institutions in the same way as they budget for HIV – AIDS and in

gender issues. Spatial information is a cross cutting issue and every institution down to

the individual level needs it for proper development programmes implementation.

(viii). Lack of cost Recovery Mechanism – Since much fund is going to be invested on NSDI,

there must be some mechanism for recovering the costs. This is possible, but the cost

should be minimal to allow users and other stake holder to access the data and spatial

information for effective realization of the National Goals. For some countries like the

USA Spatial Information is free because the supplied spatial information increases,

efficiency in programmes implementation and stimulates economic growth. Henceforth

cost recovery regulatory mechanism must be in place to ensure that NSDI objectives are

achieved accordingly.

(ix). Lack of Research and Development (R&D) in geospatial technologies and geospatial

information industry. Absence of the research hinders identification of strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities and threats for proper strategic planning to determine a way

forward towards an effective NSDI. R&D is a backbone towards effective working and

development in general. Research capacity needs to be enhanced accordingly to enable

the NSDI to be a truly a cross-cutting undertaking which will stimulate sustainable

economic growth, economic empowerment, reduction of poverty and harmonized

development at different jurisdiction levels.

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(x). Lack of Proper business environment – This issue takes into consideration many issues

which aims at smoothening the operationalization of the NSDI. Policy and Legal

framework issues needs to be reviewed accordingly to allow for the smooth operation.

(xi) Spatial data security and privacy issues- Regulated access is important so as to

inculcate ethical behavior in the sharing of the information.

7.0 CONCLUSION

The Philosophy for implementing NSDI suggests that, winning political will and

recognition of the undertaking by the government, requires pilot SDI’s. The tangible out

put from the SDI’s will stimulate appreciation and acceptance of the concept. Thus as

one of the strategy for establishing the NSDI, pilot SDI’s are being designed so as to

demonstrate their efficacy. As an SDI initiative SMD is working on the possibility of

implementing a pilot SDI which will involve four ministries so as to gather knowledge

and build experience.

REFERENCES:

1. Çetin CÖMERT, 2008., Web Services and National Spatial Data

Infrastructure (NSDI)

KTU, Geodesy and Photogrammetry Department, 6108 Trabzon,

Turkey ISPRS Commission IV, WG IV/4 Spatial Data Infrastructures,

2. Kufoniyi Olajide, 2004; Geospatial Information Policy Development an Essential

Backbone for SDI Development in Africa. GSDI Bangalore India, February 2 – 6, 2004

3. Lugoe, F.N., and Yanda, P., 2007; National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Policy

Proposal for Tanzania (Second Draft), March 2007.

4. Mtalo, E.G., 2003; Background Paper for the Proposed Workshop on National Spatial

Data Infrastructure and Geoinformation Management needs Assessment. Dar es Salaam

Tanzania, March 11, 2003.

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5. Rajabifard, Abbas., 2002; Diffusion of Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure: with

Particular Reference to Asia and the Pacific. Ph.D Dissertation, Department of

Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Melbourne, March 2002

6. Ryttergaard, Jes. D., 2001; Spatial Data Infrastructure: Developing Trends and

Challenges. Paper presented at International Conference on Spatial Information for

sustainable Development, CODI–2, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 4th–7th September 2001.

7. Taskforce on NSDI, 2001., National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).Strategy and

Action Plan, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, January

2001.

8. Vaez, S.S., 2010., Building a Seamless SDI Model for land and Marine Environments, A

Ph.D thesis submitted to the University of Melbourne Australia, February 2010

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