Public health intelligence / WHO African Region

Geospatial intelligence for better public health decisions.

The AFRO GIS Centre connects trusted geographic data, country expertise and digital tools so health leaders can see the gaps—and act where it matters most.

Explore the evidence ↗How the Centre works ↓

Since 2017 · Regional GIS Centre

47 Member States · WHO African Region

GIS summit participants studying a detailed geographic map on a large screen — GIS specialists and partners examine a map at the WHO AFRO GIS summit.

The role of geography

Better health decisions begin with a shared view of where people are, where services reach, and where risks remain.

01 / Our Approach

Our history, mission
and approach.

Our history

The 67th World Health Assembly urged Member States to prioritize the development and greater use of digital technologies in health to promote Universal Health Coverage and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

In response, the Polio Eradication Programme at WHO’s Regional Office for Africa developed innovative solutions to support surveillance, routine immunization, monitoring and evaluation, and polio eradication.

To sustain these solutions and support all Member States in the WHO African Region, the programme established the AFRO GIS Centre with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti inaugurated the Centre in February 2017.

Since then, regional and country teams have deployed digital health solutions to support the Polio Endgame Strategy and wider public health priorities.

Our mission

To improve the health and wellbeing of people through collective investment in and effective application of Geographic Information Systems and mobile technological solutions, providing timely and reliable geospatial information for polio eradication, health emergencies and other public health initiatives.

From field signal to informed action.

Quality data, local expertise and a clear decision connect surveillance, campaigns and emergency response.

Collect

Capture location based information through country systems and field teams.

Validate

Use trusted boundaries and consistent data to improve the quality of analysis.

Understand

Visualize coverage, risk and missed communities in maps and dashboards.

Act

Inform microplanning, surveillance, response and the allocation of support.

02 / Regional reach

Capacity that stays
close to the decision.

WHO AFRO reporting documents investment in people and country infrastructure, as well as the GIS Centre's digital platforms.

900+

GIS focal points trained

Across 45 of the 47 countries, including WHO and health ministry personnel; reported for 2017–2024.

Source: WHO AFRO 2025 polio factsheet ↗

Member States with smart screens

Provided to ministries of health and WHO country offices to visualize data from the field.

Source: WHO AFRO 2025 polio factsheet ↗

2017

Centre established

Created to advance the application of GIS and mobile technologies for regional public health.

Figures reflect the reporting periods stated by WHO AFRO and should be reviewed before use on an official site.

Featured initiative · 2025

03 / Trusted foundations

One geography. Better coordination.

The AFRO Geodatabase brings validated administrative boundaries, health facilities and population data into a shared repository. Country endorsed datasets and quality checks support more consistent analysis.

Trusted reference data makes it easier to connect the field picture with national and regional decisions.

Read the WHO AFRO launch story ↗

04 / Evidence in action