Towards GGOS-Africa

This presentation, given at the AfAS-2025 conference, outlines the vision and objectives of GGOS-Africa, an initiative to strengthen geodetic infrastructure across Africa to enhance scientific collaboration and support key disciplines such as astronomy, geophysics, and Earth observation. The speakers, Roelf Botha (SARAO) and Jack Radcliffe (University of Manchester) highlight the critical role of geodesy in both fundamental research and applied sciences, emphasizing its connection to space geodesy, VLBI, and sustainable development. The talk explores: The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) and its evolution, including the establishment of regional affiliates. There is a need for more geodetic core sites in Africa, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, to improve reference frames and Earth monitoring capabilities. The role of VLBI, GNSS, and SLR in global geodesy and their applications in astronomy, including precise celestial reference frame determination and space navigation. The GGOS-Africa project, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and STFC, aims to assess geodetic infrastructure, develop strategic plans, train early-career researchers, and raise awareness among policymakers. The complementary nature of geodesy and astronomy highlights how techniques like VLBI contribute to both extreme astrophysics (e.g., Event Horizon Telescope observations) and Earth orientation parameter measurements. The presentation concludes with a call for participation, inviting collaboration from the scientific community to establish GGOS-Africa as a key hub for geodetic research and infrastructure development across the continent.