GIRAF - Geoscience Information in Africa

Country / Region: Afrika

Begin of project: July 4, 2006

End of project: November 25, 2016

Status of project: November 25, 2016

GIRAF Mission:
Support that knowledge-based geoscience information
contributes to improve the environmental & economic prosperity
of the people in Africa.

The GIRAFnetwork was founded as a platform and network for African geoscience information experts to share information and experience and to cooperate across political boundaries. It was also created as a forum to discuss and understand the real needs and issues in geoscience information management, delivery and technology in Africa and to facilitate the inclusion of African geoscience information experts into international initiatives and projects. The ultimate aim of the GIRAF network is to improve the environmental conditions and economic circumstances in Africa by application of information technology based on geoscience data and information. GIRAF was founded in 2009, the inaugural conference-workshop being held in Windhoek (Namibia), and the network has grown ever since.

Since its beginning the network was coordinated by Dr. Kristine Asch, BGR (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, BGR, and IUGS CGI (Commission for the Management and Application of Geoscience Information). In 2016, at the 26th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG26) in Ibadan, the GIRAF network she ceremonially handed over the coordination and lead to colleagues from African organisation: Mr. Ibrahim Shaddad, Director of the African Mineral and Geosciences Centre (AMGC) in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Prof Olugbenga Okunlola (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), the new GIRAF chair and several colleagues of the newly formed GIRAF Council. GIRAF’s office is located In Dar es Salaam and led by Mesfin Gebremichael. "Knowledge-based Geoscience information is more important than ever, especially in Africa" said Kristine Asch during the transfer and she wished the African colleagues and the network all the best for the future.

At the 26th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG26) in Ibadan, the GIRAF network Dr. Kristine Asch ceremonially handed over the coordination and lead to colleagues from African organisation Source: BGR

Since its inauguration the network has been primarily supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), BGR, UNESCO Nairobi, the Geological Society of Africa, Australian Aid, the United Nations Development Programme, the Commission for Geoscience Information (CGI) of the IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences), but also many more organizations. At the time of the handover.GIRAF had over 400 members from more than 30 African and 12 non-African countries.

Website: http://giraf-network.seamic.org