8. Africa-BB-Maps | Subregional Intermediate GIS Training in Malawi
Information
Date/Time: 24-28 August 2026
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi.
Venue: TBD.
Registration link for the fellowship: Intermediate GIS & Data Training – Malawi
Registration deadline: 12 July 2026
Registration link for the training: ITU Academy
Description
This intermediate course builds the technical skills needed to deploy, manage, and maintain enterprise GIS environments for national broadband mapping systems under the Africa-BB-Maps initiative.
Building on basic training, it focuses on multiuser geodatabases, data governance, enterprise workflows, and advanced editing using ArcGIS Pro.
Key topics include:
- Enterprise GIS architecture and multi-tier systems
- Multiuser geodatabase setup and management
- Data loading, schema design, and update workflows
- User roles, access control, and permissions
- Data integrity and topology rules
- Database performance and maintenance
- Publishing and sharing geospatial services
Through practical exercises using broadband datasets (such as fibre networks, mobile coverage, and infrastructure data), participants gain hands-on experience to effectively manage and maintain GIS systems in real-world, multiuser environments.
Who can participate?
The training is open to national technical focal points, GIS specialists, data management officers, and technical staff involved in broadband data collection, preparation, validation, and reporting from Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications or experience needed to participate in this training course:
- Completion of the Basic training or equivalent ArcGIS Pro experience
- Practical experience working with GIS datasets
- Basic understanding of spatial databases
Participants need to have completed the following self-paced courses:
Selection criteria : Active technical role in enterprise GIS or broadband mapping operations & nomination by participating countries
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain enterprise GIS architecture, including multi-tier system components and multiuser geodatabase structures.
- Configure and establish connections to a multiuser geodatabase environment.
- Load, organise, and administer broadband datasets within an enterprise schema.
- Implement and manage role-based access control mechanisms and user privileges.
- Apply and validate topology rules to ensure spatial integrity and data consistency.
- Analyse and optimise database performance using indexing and maintenance procedures.
- Publish datasets as services in enterprise environments.
- Design and operationalise structured enterprise GIS workflows supporting sustainable national broadband mapping systems.
Methodology
Instructor-led sessions combining structured presentations, live system demonstrations, guided hands-on labs, operational simulations, and broadband-focused enterprise case studies.
The methodology emphasises experiential learning, with a minimum of 60% of instructional time dedicated to practical exercises in ArcGIS Pro and enterprise geodatabase environments
Assessment and grading
Practical labs and operational scenarios: 60%
Active participation and attendance: 40%
Total: 100%
A total score of 70% or higher is required to obtain the ITU certificate.