ADOPTION OF GEOSPATIAL GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF E-GOVERMENT IN TANZANIA: ADDRESSING BOTTLENECKS IN SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract. This study has developed a framework for adoption of geospatial governance in the context of e-government in Tanzania. After examining the governance of geospatial data, identify factors affecting governance of geospatial data, and proposed a framework that integrates e-governance and e-government. The research was undertaken to examine the understandings of geospatial governance, its challenges and to develop an institutional framework to guide the management of geospatial resources. Using documentary analysis, strategically designed interviews and questionnaire, and Focus Group Discussions, data was collected from a range of spatial data user community. Upon simple analysis of the data the following were the findings: First, the findings revealed that spatial data is not well managed, reused and shared. Second, geospatial data it is not easily and readily available and accessible. Third, there is lack of coordination and collaboration among spatial data users and custodian. The study revealed that coordination and collaboration is very important if a nation wants to utilize effectively the massive amount of data scattered in various organizations. There is an urgent need of having common gateway for spatial data discovery and sharing, and to have a mechanism that ensures spatial data is collected, processed and analyzed with acceptable standards and having metadata. In view of the findings, the study recommends that geospatial governance integration with e-Government is indispensable. The study has come out with the SPOTES framework for geospatial governance in the context of e-government; the Government should adopt the framework and establish the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. This will ensure the institutional set-up for the governance of geospatial data in the country and key players, i.e. the private sector, government institutions, and NGOs should collaborate in data sharing to benefit the country’s sustainable development.