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National Spatial Data Infrastructure Implementation in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review of Governance Challenges, Technical Bottlenecks, And Lessons for Nigeria’s Ngdi
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Information Communication Technology
Abstract
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) provides an institutional and technical framework for coordinating the production, management, sharing, and use of geospatial information. However, implementation in developing countries remains uneven, with persistent governance and technical constraints limiting the effectiveness and sustainability of national spatial-data systems. This study systematically reviewed empirical evidence on NSDI implementation in developing countries to synthesise governance and technical barriers, identify factors associated with stronger or weaker implementation outcomes, and derive lessons for Nigeria’s National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI). The review followed a systematic search, eligibility, appraisal, extraction, and thematic synthesis process guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. Sixteen relevant publications were identified, comprising 13 empirical or comparative studies and three conceptual or methodological studies. The evidence covered countries primarily in Africa and Asia. The findings indicate that institutional fragmentation, weak inter-agency coordination, inadequate policy integration, insufficient financing, limited human capacity, poor interoperability, inconsistent standards, inadequate metadata, weak data-sharing mechanisms, and deficient technical infrastructure are the principal constraints affecting NSDI implementation. Comparatively stronger systems were associated with clear institutional responsibilities, sustained leadership and financing, common standards, interoperable infrastructure, stakeholder participation, and long-term strategic planning. The review further demonstrates that the relative importance of these factors varies according to national institutional and socioeconomic contexts. For Nigeria, the evidence supports an integrated strategy combining stronger NGDI governance, enforceable geospatial standards, sustainable financing, distributed capacity development, formal data-sharing arrangements, interoperable technical infrastructure, and continuous performance monitoring. The study concludes that the effective strengthening of NGDI requires governance and technical investments to be pursued as complementary components of a coherent national infrastructure.
Keywords
National Spatial Data Infrastructure; NSDI; National Geospatial Data Infrastructure; NGDI; geospatial data; governance; interoperability; developing countries; systematic review; Nigeria.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722871,
author = {Gopep James Shidonna, Kabali Nickson Daudu, Shadrach Iliya, Jonathan Joshua Benthang, Arowosegbe Olakunle Justice; Dauda Samuel Impa},
title = {National Spatial Data Infrastructure Implementation in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review of Governance Challenges, Technical Bottlenecks, And Lessons for Nigeria’s Ngdi},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {3},
pages = {609-627},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722871.pdf},
abstract = {National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) provides an institutional and technical framework for coordinating the production, management, sharing, and use of geospatial information. However, implementation in developing countries remains uneven, with persistent governance and technical constraints limiting the effectiveness and sustainability of national spatial-data systems. This study systematically reviewed empirical evidence on NSDI implementation in developing countries to synthesise governance and technical barriers, identify factors associated with stronger or weaker implementation outcomes, and derive lessons for Nigeria’s National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI). The review followed a systematic search, eligibility, appraisal, extraction, and thematic synthesis process guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. Sixteen relevant publications were identified, comprising 13 empirical or comparative studies and three conceptual or methodological studies. The evidence covered countries primarily in Africa and Asia. The findings indicate that institutional fragmentation, weak inter-agency coordination, inadequate policy integration, insufficient financing, limited human capacity, poor interoperability, inconsistent standards, inadequate metadata, weak data-sharing mechanisms, and deficient technical infrastructure are the principal constraints affecting NSDI implementation. Comparatively stronger systems were associated with clear institutional responsibilities, sustained leadership and financing, common standards, interoperable infrastructure, stakeholder participation, and long-term strategic planning. The review further demonstrates that the relative importance of these factors varies according to national institutional and socioeconomic contexts. For Nigeria, the evidence supports an integrated strategy combining stronger NGDI governance, enforceable geospatial standards, sustainable financing, distributed capacity development, formal data-sharing arrangements, interoperable technical infrastructure, and continuous performance monitoring. The study concludes that the effective strengthening of NGDI requires governance and technical investments to be pursued as complementary components of a coherent national infrastructure.},
keywords = {National Spatial Data Infrastructure; NSDI; National Geospatial Data Infrastructure; NGDI; geospatial data; governance; interoperability; developing countries; systematic review; Nigeria.},
month = {September},
}