The overall, long term objective for the project is to contribute to an improved planning and decision process by a more efficient use of GIS within the Government of Botswana.
This will be achieved by facilitating a more efficient management of available geographic data through increased competence among the users and an improved co-ordination of geographic information within the government. This project will initialise the process of creating a National Geographic Information System by establishing a GIS Co-ordination unit, define a number of standards related to geographic information and to transfer knowledge in the area of Spatial Data Infrastructure.
A National Geographic Information System must be based on a wide approach. It encompasses legislation and policies, organisational remits, geographic data resources, technologies, standards, delivery mechanisms, and financial and human resources.
A functioning geographic information infrastructure is a requirement for, amongst other things:
• Improvement of data quality and consistency
• Added value through combinations of data from different sources
• Improved access to data
• Reduction of data collection and maintenance costs - all data should be collected once and maintained at one place only.
