The Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa has been one of the most successful projects of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange programme (IODE) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

Starting with the implementation of the project on Regional Cooperation in Scientific Information Exchange in the Western Indian Ocean region (RECOSCIX-WIO) in 1989, IODE has focussed on the focussed on development of the capacity and infrastructure for the collection, processing, archival, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data and information products.

The focus of the current phase of the project is strengthening the pan African network of National Oceanographic Data Centre (NODCs), and marine related institutions, as a sustained mechanism for application of data, information and products in marine and coastal management in Africa. This includes the development of linkages with data generators (including on-going large-scale projects on the African coasts), and the development of targeted products and services for national and regional end users. This will enable them demonstrate their roles as national facilities and encourage other projects to deposit their data in the NODCs, thereby making them sustainable.  The primary objectives were:

• Expanding and strengthening the network of marine scientists and institutions in the region to foster the sharing of data and information.
• Developing high quality products and tools to support decision-making, management and conservation of the marine and coastal environment.
• Promoting the use of products and services developed by the project to all stakeholders.
• Fostering active south-south, intra-Africa, north-south and Africa-Flemish collaboration for marine training, research and technology transfer.

Additional information is available on the ODINAFRICA website.