News

April 25, 2022

Harnessing geospatial data to reduce malaria’s burden in Nigeria and the DRC

GRID3 has considerable experience with harnessing innovative geospatial solutions to reduce malaria’s effect on the region, and has recently extended its support to two campaigns in Nigeria and the DRC.

January 19, 2022

Population estimates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo draw on one of the largest survey efforts in almost 40 years

This January saw the release of new population estimates for seven provinces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Ituri, Kasaï, Kasaï-Oriental, Lomami, and Sud-Kivu.

January 14, 2022

Spatial data at the forefront of vaccination strategies in Zambia and Nigeria

Demand for accurate spatial data across sub-Saharan Africa is rising as governments formulate vaccination campaigns. In recent months, Zambia and Nigeria have requested support from GRID3 in creating and rolling out maps and spatial data technologies to aid these interventions.

January 13, 2022

GRID3 Mapping for Health presents innovative geospatial solutions to enhance vaccine coverage in the DRC

From 22-25 November, stakeholders in DRC participated in “Towards Digital Microplanning”, a four-day forum organised by the GRID3 Mapping for Health project, promoting innovative geospatial data and gender equity solutions that will support vaccination interventions in the country.

December 22, 2021

Data-driven interventions bring Zambia closer to controlling malaria

For microplanning ahead of the 2021 indoor residual spraying campaign led by Zambia’s National Malaria Elimination Programme, GRID3 and Akros developed improved maps featuring field-mapped health facility catchment boundaries and updated residential structure counts using GRID3 settlement extents.

December 21, 2021

Improving geo-referenced microplanning for immunisation interventions in the DRC

As part of a broader push to strengthen the capacity of health actors to use geo-referenced data to improve immunisation outcomes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, GRID3 carried out extensive stakeholder engagement and field exercises aimed at evaluating the impact of the pilot phase of its geo-referenced microplanning work over the course of the last three months.

November 17, 2021

Country-wide phone survey in DRC to strengthen mobility estimates

The GRID3 Mapping for Health team at Flowminder launched a country-wide phone survey in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The GRID3 Mapping for Health project in DRC aims to strengthen the effectiveness and equity of the country’s vaccination interventions; data from the phone survey will inform the production of mobility estimates (based on Call Detail Records, CDR) used to design these interventions.

October 12, 2021

GRID3 data improve accuracy of vulnerability survey in South Sudan

In recent months, a consortium of governmental and international bodies initiated the latest round of the multi-sector Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring System (FSNMS+) survey in South Sudan. The survey uses GRID3 population estimates to calculate population per enumeration area.

October 4, 2021

GRID3 white papers: a series of in-depth resources on the production and use of key geospatial datasets

What are the most effective ways to map health facilities? Or the benefits of classifying settlements? How do government officials cooperatively produce accurate subnational boundaries? To answer these and many other pressing data for development questions, GRID3 is producing a series of resources that provide a wealth of insights into some of its core geospatial data solutions.

September 24, 2021

GRID3 microplanning maps to support non-polio immunisation activities in Nigeria

Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency has partnered with GRID3 to improve microplanning for its Non-Polio Supplementary Immunisation Activities campaign. The agency is using 9,308 ward-level maps produced by GRID3 to prepare microplans ahead of the next campaign, set to start in November 2021.

August 31, 2021

Sierra Leone government uses GRID3 insights for new school infrastructure and catchment area planning policy

In June 2021, the government of Sierra Leone released its new School Infrastructure and Catchment Area Planning policy. Laying the foundation for increased access to safe, quality education, the document draws extensively upon insights from the GRID3 Education Coverage in Sierra Leone report. The policy was also informed by additional school catchment mapping conducted by GRID3 in collaboration with Fab Inc.

August 11, 2021

Sierra Leone reaches new milestone in mapping health facilities

Representatives from government ministries and departments, global health organisations, and GRID3 convened in Bo, Sierra Leone in July 2021 to review and validate the country’s master health facility list, a vital tool for planning health service delivery and interventions.

July 27, 2021

GRID3 maps to improve mobile health service delivery in the Somali and Afar regions of Ethiopia

GRID3 created 133 maps showcasing how far people live from health facilities and the size of those populations for all districts (called woredas) in the Somali and Afar regions. Amref Health Africa will be using the maps to identify where mobile health/outreach services are most needed.

July 16, 2021

Using data analytics to improve radio coverage and enhance education access during disease outbreaks in Sierra Leone

In collaboration with MBSSE, the GRID3 team at Flowminder carried out an analysis using GIS and its optimisation algorithm to improve radio coverage and enhance education access during disease outbreaks.

July 15, 2021

Formalising a vital partnership in Sierra Leone

On 23 May, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation and GRID3 signed a memorandum of understanding that formalised a partnership that has already made important progress in the country’s drive to accurately map its health facilities.

July 6, 2021

New GRID3 Data Hub: 250+ datasets now openly available

When it comes to geospatial data, accessibility is just as crucial as quality. While it is important to produce comprehensive spatial information that can be used to guide sustainable planning and decision making, equal attention must be paid to ensuring that such data is easily accessible for GIS practitioners, humanitarians, researchers, and governments. With this in mind, GRID3 has launched its Data Hub.

July 1, 2021

Historic progress in South Sudan’s drive to count its population

Enumeration for South Sudan’s Population Estimation Survey (PES) has been completed, marking the end of the single largest data collection effort in the country’s history.

May 31, 2021

Adopting gender-based solutions to increase vaccination coverage: spotlight on GRID3 Mapping for Health multi-sectoral roundtable in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

As DRC has one of the highest rates of maternal, child, and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, one aspect of the GRID3 M4H project focuses on the integration of gender and social inclusion (GESI) into vaccination programmes. This work achieved a milestone in May with the organisation of a roundtable focused on the intersection of gender and vaccination.

May 28, 2021

Puntland Statistics Department, Somalia, leads the way in using geospatial data for crisis response and recovery

On 22 November 2020, Tropical Cyclone Gati made landfall on the Puntland State of Somalia’s coast. Drawing on new skills and techniques acquired during a series of GRID3 capacity strengthening sessions, the Puntland Statistics Department used geospatial data to effectively coordinate the state’s disaster response.

May 24, 2021

South Sudan’s microcensus marks an important first step in campaign to leave no one behind

On 21 May, field data collection began for South Sudan’s National Population Estimation Survey (PES), an important milestone in the country’s effort to collect baseline demographic and socioeconomic data.

May 18, 2021

GRID3 data as a building block for COVAX interventions: spotlight on Nigeria microplanning

To plan and implement efficient COVID-19 immunisation campaigns, Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) joined forces with GRID3 Nigeria to support COVID-19 vaccine delivery and access strategies across the country.

May 13, 2021

Physical distancing datasets can help control COVID-19 spread in sub-Saharan Africa’s urban areas

GRID3 has released 50 new datasets that can support countries looking to use nuanced, data-driven approaches to controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus. These data provide information on urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa where population density and the spatial arrangement of buildings may make it difficult to maintain physical distancing (also known as “social distancing”).

March 29, 2021

High-resolution population estimates improve understanding of displacement in South Sudan

GRID3 has updated its high-resolution gridded population estimates which provides timely population data for the Government of South Sudan and other decision-makers. GRID3 South Sudan technical experts produced the estimates by combining 2008 county level census data collected by the National Bureau of Statistics with field-collected displacement data from IOM (through its Displacement Tracking Matrix) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

March 18, 2021

Nigeria’s young data science talents seize new geospatial data opportunities

Data Science Nigeria (DSN) and GRID3 Nigeria share a common goal: increasing the number of geospatial data experts across the country to support Nigeria’s national development agenda. For the second year in a row, GRID3 was invited to attend DSN’s 2020 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp for a series of workshops focused on geospatial data analysis, tools and applications.

February 16, 2021

Radio campaigns use geospatial data to reduce barriers to contraceptive use in Zambia

Using risk data provided by GRID3 in collaboration with Fraym, DMI was able to refine a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategy which included running a radio campaigns for specific districts with the aim of addressing barriers to the uptake of contraceptives, such as misconceptions about their safety, low support from men, and stigmatisation of young people accessing contraceptives.

January 11, 2021

Modelled population estimates for census under-coverage make Burkina Faso’s population visible in times of conflict

GRID3 has produced datasets, featuring high-resolution modelled population estimates and maps to complement Burkina Faso’s 2019 census results.

December 23, 2020

In-country trainers hold the key to sustained national geospatial capacity

GRID3’s Trainer Support Programme approach facilitates in-country partners’ efforts to educate and train future generations of data experts.

December 22, 2020

A new report provides insight for improving access to education for all children in Sierra Leone

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Sierra Leone and GRID3 jointly released a School Coverage Analysis in Sierra Leone report which identifies where children are located relative to schools based on national targets.

November 9, 2020

Tackling COVID-19 in Nigeria: using population data to model virus spread post-lockdown

The Government of Nigeria collaborated with researchers from the United Kingdom’s University College London (UCL) to study, using GRID3 Nigeria’s gridded population estimates, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus causing the COVID-19 disease — across Nigeria.

October 27, 2020

Liberia saves big on satellite imagery with the support of GRID3

GRID3’s support across various African borders enabled over a million US dollars in savings for Liberia’s government in a recent purchase of high-resolution satellite imagery. These funds can now be used to make other critical investments that modernise Liberia’s geospatial capabilities for census and national population data systems.

October 21, 2020

Zimba Town Council plans ahead to ensure no one is left behind

Accurate and accessible geospatial data plays a pivotal role in district planning for Zimba District, Zambia, where planners are trying to facilitate development. Through an interview with Josephine Chiila, District Planning Officer in Zimba, we learn how GRID3 population, settlement and infrastructure data are being used to identify service provision gaps and inform future development decisions.

October 20, 2020

The Government of Nigeria takes over operation of GRID3 Nigeria data and portal

To ensure long term integration and sustainability of geospatial analytics in the country, the Government of Nigeria, under its National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), is taking over the management, hosting, and maintenance of GRID3 Nigeria data and portal.

September 22, 2020

Data is high priority for fighting COVID-19 in Namibia

Under the leadership of the Government of Namibia, GRID3 has launched another COVID-19 data hub in sub-Saharan Africa, expanding the access to much needed reliable and timely geospatial data to fight and prevent the global pandemic on the continent.

September 18, 2020

[GRID3 Nigeria Data Challenge] From AI to GIS: Nathaniel O. Solomon’s approach to supporting Nigerian start-ups

Nathaniel O. Solomon is a Nigerian artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast and one of the two winners of the 2019 GRID3 Data Challenge from the Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp. This article features his journey and work to support Nigerian start-ups through a target location analyser.

September 18, 2020

[GRID3 Nigeria Data Challenge] From AI to GIS: ‘Yosola Adekanmbi Oluwaseun’s concept for reducing the impact of solid waste management in Nigeria

‘Yosola Adekanmbi Oluwaseun is a Nigerian artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast and one of the two winners of the 2019 GRID3 Data Challenge from the Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp. Read about ‘Yosola’s journey and GIS concept note to reduce the impact of solid waste management for communities in Nigeria.

September 18, 2020

[GRID3 Nigeria Data Challenge] From AI to GIS: ‘Yosola and Nathaniel’s journeys to geospatial analytics for sustainable development

‘Yosola Adekanmbi Oluwaseun and Nathaniel O. Solomon are two Nigerian artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiasts and the two winners of the 2019 GRID3 Data Challenge from the Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp. Discover their journey from AI to Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

September 15, 2020

Naming all settlements in Nigeria: GRID3 and Premise test data collection approaches in Bauchi State

GRID3 Nigeria is collaborating with Premise Data to collect and validate names for newly identified settlements.

September 9, 2020

Geospatial data informs COVID-19 preparedness plans for migrant population in Zambia

Despite falling COVID-19 cases around the world, countries still need accurate information on people and resources to continue slowing the spread of the virus. In Zambia, the International Organization for Migration is using GRID3 data to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the country’s migrant population.

July 31, 2020

Outside the box: how Nigeria won the fight against polio

Nigeria celebrates being wild polio free following an official declaration by the African Regional Certification Commission (ARCC), an independent advisory body of the World Health Organisation, for the eradication of poliomyelitis (WPV). This step marks a landmark victory for a country that had been battling the virus for decades.

July 30, 2020

Zambian government works with GRID3 and partners to control malaria

GRID3 Zambia partnered with Akros, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), PATH and President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) to create maps as a low-cost solution that can contribute significantly to controlling malaria in the country. The maps display GRID3 population estimates, settlement extents with estimated residential structure counts, schools, health facilities and village names. These datasets were developed with multiple Zambian government agencies.

July 22, 2020

Sierra Leone is fighting smart against COVID-19

Sierra Leone’s government is reacting fast and in innovative ways to ensure the safety of its citizens. Together with Esri, Fraym, GPSDD, Maxar and UNECA, the government produced crucial geospatial datasets, analyses, and tools to support the COVID-19 response in Sierra Leone.

July 1, 2020

GRID3 interactive data visualisation: mapping a path for COVID-19 response

The new GRID3 interactive data visualisation hubs provide a vital, centralised source of high quality geospatial data. They enhance coordination on data production, and encourage closer coordination among the various government bodies that are working on COVID-19 prevention and response.

June 29, 2020

Virtual capacity strengthening during COVID-19

The GRID3 Training Team has been working full speed to develop an online Learning Management System (LMS) that will make it possible to train hundreds of data experts during a time in which COVID-19 makes in-person interaction impossible. Now the platform is ready and being implemented in various of the GRID3 countries.

June 24, 2020

Taking on COVID-19 with data: Nigeria’s government collaborates with GRID3 on response and prevention

The quick and effective reaction of the Government of Nigeria is underpinned by a National COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response Plan. GRID3 Nigeria has been working closely with the Presidential Task Force to swiftly support the government’s efforts and integrate geospatial data solutions into their plans.

June 18, 2020

The Government of Zambia partners with GRID3 to produce high-resolution intercensal population estimates

GRID3 and the Government of Zambia have produced gridded population estimates, led by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) to support the country’s humanitarian and development planning and operations across the country.

May 7, 2020

New dataset released for one of the most populous provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

GRID3 released a new dataset featuring thousands of new settlement points and place names for the expansive Kongo Central province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

April 27, 2020

GRID3 produces maps for Zambia’s Luapula province

On 16 April 2020, an earthquake with a 4.5 magnitude and depth of 10km struck the Luapula Province in Zambia. The GRID3 Zambia team produced high resolution maps, showcasing the number of people potentially at risk based on their location in relation to the epicentre of the earthquake.

April 17, 2020

African governments utilise GRID3 data in response to COVID-19

As the outbreak of the new coronavirus begins to extend into sub-Saharan Africa, GRID3 is marshalling its data resources and capacities to help partner governments plan rapid, effective responses.

April 17, 2020

Mapping settlement extents to support COVID-19 response efforts

Using building footprint data extracted from Ecopia Landbase Africa powered by Maxar, GRID3 has prioritised mapping extents for several dozen more African countries over the next two months.

April 17, 2020

GRID3 Webinars: Ready for the shift

GRID3 has recently launched a webinar series in which GRID3 experts break down technical details about our work in a user-friendly and easily understandable manner.

March 24, 2020

DRC workshop shows applications for health

GRID3 and the team working on the Mapping for Health project hosted a three-day workshop in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with health sector stakeholders from the entire Kwilu Province. The aim of the workshop was to make progress toward incorporating geospatial data into immunisation microplanning in DRC.

March 4, 2020

DRC’s Ministry of Health works with GRID3 to fight measles epidemic

GRID3 produced 121 maps of health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support a six-month rapid-response measles vaccination campaign.

February 20, 2020

GRID3 Nigeria National Steering and Technical Committees agree on project goals during first joint meeting

The first joint meeting of the GRID3 Nigeria National Steering and Technical Committees took place on Monday, February 10th, at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was convened by the Chair of the Steering Committee, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, who is the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning.

February 19, 2020

GRID3 tests semi-automatic mapping of pre-Enumeration Areas to support census cartography in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In December 2019, GRID3 together with in-country partners in DRC, carried out a series of field tests in a range of urban and rural contexts to assess the suitability of a semi-automated approach to create pre-Enumeration Area boundaries.

February 14, 2020

Understanding access to education in Nigeria

To support Nigeria’s Universal Basic Educational Commission (UBEC) in improving access to education, GRID3 Nigeria used geospatial data to analyse the location of current schools to Nigeria’s school-age population and recommend new school locations.

February 14, 2020

Harmonising District Boundaries in Zambia

GRID3 facilitated coordination among all government agencies responsible for boundaries in Zambia, ensuring the production of government-endorsed administrative boundaries shapefiles.

February 14, 2020

Geospatial analysis of measles immunisation coverage in Nigeria

To understand measles vaccination coverage, the GRID3 Nigeria team, following a request from the PCCS working group, analysed data produced from the PCCS survey in February 2019. The team also compared results from their analyses to previous PCCS coverage estimates using the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and the 2016-17 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey / National Immunisation Coverage Survey.

February 14, 2020

Geospatial data informs routine vaccination strategies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In an effort to understand the true extent of vaccine-preventable deaths, the GRID3 Mapping for Health team in close coordination with DRC’s Ministry of Health utilised a participatory mapping approach to map settlements, health facilities and delineate health area boundaries. This information is crucial to developing vaccination strategies and assembling the appropriate resources required for targeted interventions.

February 14, 2020

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health uses geospatial data to inform National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anaesthesia & Nursing Plan

To inform the Nigerian National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anesthesia and Nursing Plan developed by the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria, GRID3 mapped health facilities in Nigeria as well as visualised the surgical workforce in relation to population at the subnational level.

February 11, 2020

How geospatial data can help solve Nigeria’s educational challenges

The Nigerian Universal Basic Educational Commission (UBEC) and GRID3 Nigeria are working together to apply new geospatial data to achieve the desired impact of education for all Nigerians and reduce the rate of out-of-school children in the country.

February 7, 2020

Nigeria Governors’ Forum invites GRID3 to encourage subnational implementation of geospatial data solutions

GRID3 Nigeria was invited to the Nigeria Governors Forum in December 2019 to garner support from state governments on using spatial data solutions to inform planning and implementation of development and policy interventions across the states.

January 9, 2020

Nigeria’s national statistical and population agencies become first to be trained on gridded population survey sampling methodology

Between November and December 2019, Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and National Population Commission (NPopC) became the first national statistical and population agencies to be trained on the gridded population survey sampling methodology for household survey design and implementation.

December 20, 2019