How We Are Using Data To Drive Infrastructure Development In Africa – Mitsio Motu

A leading data company, Mitsio Motu Ltd has restated its commitment to infrastructure development in Africa through data.

The company said since its founding in 2018, it has executed a range of projects aimed at improving access to essential services like electricity, water, health, and education, particularly in underserved rural areas.

The Co-founders of Mitsio Motu Ltd, Louis Vérin-Kieffer and Guillaume Haegel, said as of today, the company has delivered high-value projects that have contributed to socio-economic development across Africa.

Operating in over 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Togo, and Tanzania, the company said it was poised to revolutionalise infrastructure in Africa through data mapping.

With the expertise of Senior Data Analyst at Mitsio Motu Ltd, Benedict Ibe, the company started by tackling small-scale projects in rural areas of Nigeria, mapping agricultural and pastoral value chains in insecure regions.

“From there, it grew to handle more complex, high-impact projects, including working with ENGIE to map 1,500 villages in Nigeria for mini-grid electrification solutions. This particular project contributed to ENGIE’s successful €60 million fundraising effort for expanding mini-grids across Nigeria,” Haegel said.

Vérin-Kieffer added: “In 2020, Mitsio Motu was entrusted with a large-scale national project by the Togolese government. The Social and Economic Infrastructure Census Project (PRISE) aimed to map all critical infrastructure in Togo. In just seven months, Mitsio Motu mapped over 150 types of infrastructure, including healthcare centers, schools, water points, and electricity networks, detailing their operational conditions. This feat, supported by a cross-sectoral team of over 23 ministries, involved the participation of more than 10,000 stakeholders across the country. The project also included a collaboration with Sunna Design to install 50,000 solar streetlights in rural areas, covering 70% of the country’s public lighting.

“Mitsio Motu’s commitment to precision data collection, coupled with their innovative use of technology and field teams, has brought immense value to governments, institutions, and private companies. The company’s work has not only improved service delivery in areas such as healthcare and education but has also provided invaluable insights for infrastructure planning, allowing stakeholders to allocate resources efficiently and effectively.

“From a financial perspective, Mitsio Motu’s work has driven significant monetary value, both for itself and for its partners. With 45 completed projects, partnerships with international organizations such as the German Cooperation and the Société du Canal de Provence, and 750 employees (including over 700 field investigators), the company has positioned itself as a leader in data-driven solutions for infrastructure development in Africa. Its success in securing contracts and establishing long-term relationships with African governments speaks to the credibility and impact of its work.

“Given that Data and technology is central in execution of these high profile projects and social impacts/ Solutions, Benedict Ibe’s role as the Senior Data Analyst at Mitsio Motu has been pivotal in the execution of these high-profile, high-impact projects. Benedict was instrumental in overseeing data collection, analysis, and the interpretation of critical information that drove decision-making in projects like the PRISE in Togo and ENGIE’s mini-grid mapping in Nigeria. His ability to process large datasets and provide actionable insights enabled Mitsio Motu to deliver precise, real-time data that contributed to the successful execution of these projects. My work on these € million-scale projects was crucial in ensuring that Mitsio Motu maintained its reputation for accuracy and reliability, which in turn helped to secure additional funding and further projects.”