Hybrid networks have the potential to close the data gaps in Africa, but access to reference monitors against which sensors can be calibrated remains a major barrier, and there are limited coordination mechanisms for existing reference stations.

We are working with AfriCAN partners to establish public colocation facilities that provide open access to reference data across the continent. Through this initiative, partners can co-locate sensors against existing reference monitors while having access to technical support.

Public colocation centres already exist in a number of cities: Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), Yaounde (Cameroon), and Lagos (Nigeria), and there are ongoing efforts to establish similar facilities in Sierra Leone. Additionally, the AfriSET West Africa sensor evaluation facility is a critical infrastructure for strengthening data flow from sensor networks.