Pacific-led mapping platform boosts climate planning

A Pacific-led geospatial data platform has completed a major mapping milestone, capturing high-resolution data across Fiji’s Central and Western divisions to strengthen climate resilience and development planning.

Kahuto Pacific Fiji confirmed it had completed the first phase of aerial data capture, mapping about 1,000 square kilometres across Suva and Nadi.

The work forms part of Moana Data Services (MDS), described as the Pacific’s first locally developed private-sector geospatial data platform.

The project marks a shift from fragmented, project-based surveys to a centralised, high-resolution data system aimed at improving long-term planning across key sectors.

Across the Pacific, critical datasets such as elevation and coastal information are often developed at different times and use varying standards, making climate modelling and infrastructure planning less reliable.

In low-lying island countries like Fiji, where flood risks and coastal exposure are increasing, accurate elevation data is essential for planning and resilience.

Kahuto Pacific said the platform addresses this gap by producing consistent, survey-grade terrain and elevation models aligned to a single system, allowing governments and developers to make more informed decisions.

The initiative is backed by risk capital from the Asian Development Bank’s ADB Frontier programme, which supports innovative businesses in small and underserved markets.

ADB Frontier investment manager Fredrik Helgesson said the platform had strong potential to transform how data is used in the Pacific.

“Seeing MDS go live with this initial dataset signals the innovative capacity of local Pacific enterprises to build scalable solutions to the region’s challenges,” he said.

The project also drew attention during a recent visit by ADB President Masato Kanda, who met the Kahuto team in Fiji.

Kahuto Pacific co-founder Chris Saili said the visit reinforced the importance of partnerships in tackling climate resilience.

“It reinforces that climate resilience in the Pacific depends not only on financing and policy frameworks, but also on strong data infrastructure and locally anchored expertise,” he said.

With the Suva and Nadi datasets now available, the company plans to expand coverage across the wider Pacific, working with regional partners including DFAT, MFAT, GIZ, UNDP, SPC and SPREP.

Kahuto Pacific said the platform would help reduce duplication, improve modelling accuracy and support faster, more effective decision-making in response to development and environmental challenges.