On the global geodetic observing system: Africa's preparedness and challenges

► A geodetic infrastructure called African Geodetic Observing System (AGOS) is proposed. ► Funding limitations, human capacity and lack of building, integrating and maintaining expected challenges. ► The societal and scientific problems that could be addressed by AGOS ought to be understood. ► AGOS system specifications must meet the user requirements. ► AGOS products and services ought to be part of Africa's geospatial information management process.