COSTECH
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is a parastatal organization with the responsibility of co-ordinating and promoting research and technology development activities in the country. COSTECH is the engine behind all innovative drone activities across the country - including ZMI.
SUZA
State University of Zanzibar is a public university located on Unguja Island in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The university was established by an act of House of Representatives of Zanzibar in 1999 and became operational in 2002. As a result of the Zanzibar Mapping Initiative, SUZA now hosts the most active drone lab in the Indian Ocean region.
ABOUT
When we saw this, we jumped, because we know that this is a tool that we wanted to use for the future development of Zanzibar. Now we have a lot of possibilities for using this data, in terms of economy, planning better, security, services. - Dr. Muhammad Juma, Commission for Lands, Zanzibar
The Zanzibar Mapping Initiative (ZMI) is a cooperative project between the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ). COSTECH agreed to provide its in-house expertise and drones to support the creation of a new aerial base map of Zanzibar for the Zanzibar Commission for Lands (COLA).
The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) was enlisted as a partner in the activity to benefit from the student expertise and technical capacities of SUZA’s now internationally recognized Drone Lab. The lab’s facilities include two powerful work stations (64GB), a 16TB network additional storage (NAS) machine, a dedicated geonode, and a reliable five-day uninterrupted power supply in case of blackouts. Several SUZA students, equipped with experience in drone piloting and data processing, worked alongside COLA to implement the project.
Drone manufacturer SenseFly provided eBee drones for the project as well as the operational and technical support of its staff through the voluntary organization Drone Adventures.
OBJECTIVES
ZMI gauges success based on achievement of the following objectives:
To update the aerial maps of Zanzibar
To support and enhance programs and systems at COLA
To improve the OpenStreetMap data of Zanzibar
To support geospatial learning at RGoZ, COLA, and SUZA
To encourage the use and application of open data
PROGRESS
UNGUJA
239
Zones Complete
0
Zones Remaining
PEMBA
121
Zones Complete
70
Zones Remaining
DATA
Want to access ZMI Data? Visit the ZMI Geonode or OpenAerialMap
ZMI data is also accessible in App form via the Google Play Store
USE CASES
HEALTH PROMOTION
Clear and up-to-date aerial imagery is helping to map out disease and disease risk across the island – particularly as it is related to flooding.
SEAWEED MAPPING
Mapping of seaweed and seagrass is critical to the conservation of ecosystems and the preservation of a sustainable ‘blue economy’.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Nungwi is one of the main hubs on Unguja. It is world famous for its pristine beaches and turtle nesting sites. Updated drone images are helping to monitor this area’s rapid urban expansion and promote it to wider audiences.
COASTAL MONITORING
Mangroves cover a large part of the Unguja and Pemba coastlines. Their conservation is essential to the mitigation of coastal erosion, the protection of fisheries, and for the sustainability of a Blue Economy. Drone imagery can ensure that coastal monitoring is consistent and low-cost.
URBAN PLANNING
Population density in the Zanzibar Municipality is one the highest in Africa. Drone imagery is a critical tool being used to improve urban resilience within this bustling hub.
GALLERY
OpenAerialMap of the Fort
UNGUJA – ZANZIBAR MUNICIPALITY
PEMBA – KIUYU
UNGUJA – KENDWA
UNGUJA – MCHANGANI
Teamwork
Drone class
Drone catching
Flight crew
Future pilots
Navigating from the ground
Drone Spotting
Drone Doctor
Khadija
Launch location
NOTES FROM THE TEAM
I am Zanzibari, so I am excited to see these new images of my home come together and produce something meaningful. This project will have a lot of impact, particularly in resource management and planning.
This has been about capacity building, and this will allow them at COLA to use the drones for surveying and will help students to have useful skills
We are creating operators for the future that will use this technology over and over, and actually take a leap with the technology
I am an I.T. person, and I never thought that one day an I.T. person could become a pilot
"This project has been a fantastic opportunity for students to enter the world of geospatial technologies. The students and staff involved are now part of a small group of people in East Africa with such a great experience in flying and operating drones. "
