General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information

What General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information does

General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) is a Saudi Arabia government entity established by Cabinet Resolution No. 90 dated 5/2/1442H, serving as the sole national regulator for the surveying and geospatial information sector (excluding Ministry of Defense activities). The Authority operates a full-stack geospatial infrastructure comprising the National Geospatial Platform (geoportal.sa) integrating 15 foundational data layers across 78+ government agencies, the KSA-CORS network of 209 continuously operating GNSS reference stations, the National Geodetic Reference Frame KSA-GRF17 (millimeter accuracy), the National Vertical Reference Frame KSA-VRF14, the KSA-GEOID21 hybrid geoid model (better than 2cm accuracy across the Kingdom), the National Gravity Network (41 absolute + 3,836 relative stations), the National Vertical Network (3,893 benchmarks across 22,869 km), the National Tide Gauge Network (12 stations), and the Sultan hydrographic survey vessel. It also chairs the 21-member National Committee on Geographical Names and the Marine Scientific Research Advisory Committee, and maintains a 25,252-image satellite archive and 28,184-photograph historical aerial archive covering 112 islands.

GEOSA's product portfolio is organized around the geoportal.sa National Geospatial Platform and the geo-licensing.geosa.gov.sa Digital Geospatial Services Portal, which handles licensing, permitting, sandbox access, and data requests. Supporting products include the Geographical Names Platform (135,000+ names), the Open Data Portal, the Geospatial Community platform, the Innovative Ideas Platform, and the experimental Sandbox for commercial geospatial solutions. The Authority serves three primary customer segments: government agencies (78+ users of the National Geospatial Platform), private sector commercial entities (52+ via the National Geospatial Platform and 55+ via the Digital Licensing Portal), and academic institutions (18+). Revenue is generated through tiered licensing fees (4,500–20,000 SAR per activity per year for Group 1 activities; 6,500–13,000 SAR for Group 2) and via data product sales, while the KSA-CORS network is currently provided free of charge. The Authority's most recent strategic positioning includes a Business Center for commercial commercialization and a Geospatial Hackathon-incubator program that has produced 5 winning projects entering the incubator. The Authority is wholly state-owned, domiciled in Saudi Arabia, and headquartered in Riyadh with a regional branch in Jeddah.

The Authority's go-to-market is regulatory-led and digital-self-serve: adoption is driven by mandatory licensing for all commercial geospatial activities, with applications processed through the online portal under a 3-working-day SLA. Distribution is exclusively domestic within Saudi Arabia. The entity has no listed shares, no private funding, and no disclosed headcount or revenue — operating instead as a state institution funded through government budget allocations and license/permit fees. GEOSA received United Nations recognition in October 2025 for its national geospatial governance model as one of the best global practices.

Name

General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information

Legal name

الهيئة العامة للمساحة والمعلومات الجيومكانية (General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information)

Website

https://geosa.gov.sa

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

GEOSA is Saudi Arabia's sole regulator for surveying and geospatial information, operating the National Geospatial Platform, a 209-station GNSS network, and proprietary reference frames, serving 78+ government agencies, 52+ private sector firms, and 18+ academic institutions under Vision 2030.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Geospatial Regulation & National Spatial Reference Infrastructure

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Space Research and Technology (92711)

akta.pro primary industry

Geospatial Data Management & Enterprise GIS (Geodatabases, Web GIS, Spatial Analytics) (EUAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms (BPAMANAK)

Keywords

• Geospatial regulatory services
• National geodetic reference
• GNSS positioning networks
• Hydrographic surveying services
• Geospatial licensing and permits

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Geospatial Licenses and Permits: The Authority collects fees from commercial entities for geospatial activity licenses and permits. Licensing covers aerial photography and surveying, hydrographic surveying, panoramic photography, land surveying, geodesy, remote sensing, GIS applications, and maritime activities. Permits are required for aerial photography/surveying, hydrographic work, and panoramic photography.
2. KSA-CORS Network Services: The 209-station KSA-CORS network provides real-time positioning corrections, RINEX data download, and GNSS observation processing services. Currently offered free of charge to all users, suggesting future monetization potential.
3. Geospatial Data and Products: Revenue from geospatial data products including satellite imagery, topographic maps, digital elevation/surface models, vector data, seabed classification samples, and tide/staff gauge data. Data is shared via open data portal and specialized requests.
4. Digital Geospatial Services Portal: The geo-licensing.geosa.gov.sa portal processes license applications, permit requests, experimental sandbox access, and data requests. May generate revenue through service fees for commercial users.
5. Experimental Environment (Sandbox): Sandbox service allows companies to test geospatial solutions in a controlled environment before commercial deployment, potentially generating fees for technical support and compliance review.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

GEOSA is the Saudi government regulator for the survey and geospatial information sector. It issues mandatory licenses and permits for commercial geospatial activities (aerial surveying, hydrography, land surveying, remote sensing, GIS applications), operates the national spatial reference infrastructure (KSA-CORS, KSA-GRF17, KSA-VRF14, KSA-GEOID21), and runs the National Geospatial Platform (geoportal.sa) — a unified hub integrating 15 foundational geospatial data layers from all government entities. It also provides open data, an experimental sandbox environment, and value-added geospatial data products including satellite imagery, topographic maps, and tide gauge data.

Product overview

The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) operates a multi-product geospatial portfolio organized around a central National Geospatial Platform (geoportal.sa) that serves as the infrastructure hub for Saudi Arabia's National Geospatial Data Infrastructure. The platform is complemented by the Digital Geospatial Licensing Portal (geo-licensing.geosa.gov.sa) for transactional services — geospatial licensing, permits, and a sandbox environment — and by foundational infrastructure products including the KSA-CORS GNSS reference station network (200+ stations), the National Geodetic Reference Frame KSA-GRF17, the National Vertical Reference Frame KSA-VRF14, the KSA-GEOID21 geoid model, the National Vertical Network (3,893 benchmarks), the National Gravity Network, and the National Tide Gauge Network (12 stations). Supporting offerings include the Sultan maritime survey vessel, the Geographical Names Platform (135,000+ names), the Open Data Portal, the Geospatial Community Platform, and the Innovative Ideas Platform. The portfolio spans the full geospatial data lifecycle from collection (land, aerial, marine, satellite surveying; GNSS; remote sensing) through infrastructure (reference frames, networks) to delivery (portals, licensing, permits, open data) and innovation support (hackathons, incubator).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Geospatial Platform (المنصة الجيومكانية الوطنية): National infrastructure platform for integrating, sharing, and accessing geospatial data across government, private, and academic sectors.
• KSA-CORS (الشبكة الوطنية لمحطات الرصد المستمر)
• Digital Geospatial Licensing Portal (بوابة الخدمات الجيومكانية الرقمية)

Products and services

• National Geospatial Platform (المنصة الجيومكانية الوطنية) Central web platform integrating 15 foundational geospatial data layers (administrative areas, elevations, geographic names, geology, imagery, land cover, parcels, land use, addresses, transportation, water, buildings, population distribution, services, and national spatial reference) from all Saudi government agencies. For government agencies, private sector, and academic institutions.
• Digital Geospatial Licensing Portal (بوابة الخدمات الجيومكانية الرقمية) Online self-service portal enabling commercial entities to apply for geospatial activity licenses, permits, and data requests with a 3 working day SLA. Offers 20+ web services and serves 85+ government agencies and 55+ private sector entities.
• KSA-CORS Network (الشبكة الوطنية لمحطات الرصد المستمر) National GNSS network of 209 continuously operating reference stations providing real-time kinematic (RTK), differential GNSS (DGNSS) corrections, and RINEX data download available 24/7. Achieves 1-3 cm horizontal accuracy and 5 cm vertical accuracy. Currently provided free of charge.
• Geospatial Licensing Services (التراخيص الجيومكانية) Annual licensing service covering 18+ geospatial activity categories (aerial surveying, hydrography, land surveying, geodesy, remote sensing, GIS applications, mapping, geospatial consulting). Tiered pricing from 4,500–20,000 SAR per activity based on establishment size (micro, small, medium, large).
• Geospatial Permits (التصاريح الجيومكانية) Project-based permits required for aerial photography and surveying, hydrographic work, and panoramic photography activities. Permit duration is determined by work scope.
• Experimental Environment / Sandbox (خدمة البيئة التجريبية) Secure sandbox environment allowing companies to test geospatial technology solutions (smart maps, autonomous navigation) under compliance standards before commercial deployment, with support from a technical team with 25+ years of experience.
• Geographical Names Platform (منصة الأسماء الجغرافية) National reference platform providing official geographic names and metadata for Saudi Arabia, with 135,000+ geographic names in the national database. Standardizes naming across government, defense, and private sector.
• National Vertical Reference Frame KSA-VRF14 (المرجع الرأسي الوطني) Official vertical reference system for Saudi Arabia based on Helmert-orthometric heights above mean sea level at Jeddah tide gauge, integrated with satellite altimetry, GOCE gravity data, and precision leveling observations.
• KSA-GEOID21 Geoid Model (نموذج الجيويد) Hybrid geoid model achieving better than 2 cm accuracy across the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, combining terrestrial, marine, airborne, and satellite gravity data with GOCE satellite gravity and satellite altimetry. Available via web calculator.
• Open Data Portal (البيانات المفتوحة) Public portal providing free access to geospatial datasets including seabed classification samples, water transparency data, tide station information, geographic names, CORS coordinates, satellite imagery information, digital terrain/surface models, vector data, and topographic maps.
• Sultan Maritime Survey Vessel (سفينة المسح البحري سلطان) Hydrographic survey vessel 'Sultan' (43.7m length, 497 tons, 2.8m draft) equipped for deep-water hydrographic surveys, supplemented by 2 survey boats (8.4m length). Used for maritime charting and seabed mapping in Saudi waters.
• Geospatial Community Platform (منصة المجتمع الجيومكاني) Professional community platform providing workshops, events, podcast hosting, partnership matchmaking, and an innovation ideas submission portal for geospatial specialists in Saudi Arabia.
• Geospatial Economic Activities Service (الأنشطة الاقتصادية الجيومكانية) Commercial service supporting business development in geospatial economic activities, providing information on licensing requirements, investment opportunities, and integration with GEOSA's regulated geospatial sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 working days license issuance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• National Committee on Geographical Names (اللجنة الوطنية للأسماء الجغرافية)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner21-member government committee chaired by GEOSA for standardizing geographical naming across Saudi Arabia. Member agencies include Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Saudi Aramco, General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Geological Survey, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and others. Responsibilities include coordinating new naming initiatives, collecting and publishing geographic names, preparing national gazetteer, and international representation.
• Marine Scientific Research Advisory Committee (اللجنة الاستشارية للبحوث العلمية البحرية)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment committee overseeing marine scientific research permits in Saudi Arabian maritime zones. GEOSA serves as secretariat. Responsibilities include reviewing research applications, supervising marine research plans, recommending candidates for research expeditions, and encouraging publication of marine science journals.
• Geospatial Community Members (academic institutions and private sector)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional network including King Saud University, Real Estate Registry (RER), General Authority for Statistics, and other organizations participating in geospatial knowledge exchange, workshops, events, and innovation initiatives. Platform enables workshops, podcast hosting, and collaborative projects.
• International and National Partners (unspecified)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Authority seeks to build strategic partnerships with national and international entities, enhancing joint initiatives that support geospatial innovation. Includes knowledge exchange, training workshops, and innovative initiatives contributing to national capability development.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BKG (Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie): Germany's federal agency for cartography and geodesy — operates SAPOS (CORS network equivalent), national reference frames, and provides official geospatial data. Directly comparable as a national geodetic and geospatial infrastructure authority in a federal context.
• IGN (Institut national de l'information géographique et forestière): France's national geographic and forestry information institute producing official maps, geodetic infrastructure (RGF93 reference), and licensing of geospatial data. Comparable as a state-owned national geospatial infrastructure and licensing entity.
• Lantmäteriet: Swedish national land surveying and mapping authority with analogous mandate: maintains geodetic reference frames, CORS-equivalent SWEPOS network, property registration, and sells/licenses geospatial data. Closest international functional analog to GEOSA's regulatory-plus-infrastructure model.
• Ordnance Survey: UK's national mapping agency operating a similar regulatory-and-data-services mandate: maintains national geospatial reference, issues licenses for commercial use of its data, and operates the OS National Grid as authoritative spatial infrastructure. Directly comparable as a government-affiliated national geospatial infrastructure provider.
• Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI): Japan's national surveying and geospatial authority, operating under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Comparable as a government national geospatial authority providing reference frames, base maps, and licensing/standards oversight.
• National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) Korea: South Korea's national geospatial information authority operating the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, VRS/CORS network, and licensing/standards regime. Comparable as an Asian national geospatial regulator with mandate similar to GEOSA's.

Broad incumbents

• Trimble Inc. Global provider of GNSS positioning, surveying, and geospatial technologies — supplies the RTK receivers and correction services that interoperate with CORS networks like GEOSA's KSA-CORS. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the geospatial hardware/software stack GEOSA's licensees depend on.
• USGS (U.S. Geological Survey): U.S. federal scientific agency for Earth observation, mapping, and geodetic science — provides national geospatial data, reference frames, and remote sensing products. Comparable as a broader government incumbent producing authoritative geospatial data, though without GEOSA's licensing/regulatory authority.
• Esri: Global dominant GIS software platform serving government, commercial, and academic geospatial users including national mapping agencies. Comparable as the broad incumbent whose ArcGIS platform likely sits atop much of the data GEOSA distributes via its National Geospatial Platform.

Emerging players

• HERE Technologies: Location data and mapping platform serving enterprise and government customers with high-precision maps and geospatial services. Comparable as a commercial provider of geospatial data products that competes for downstream usage in mobility, logistics, and government.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/geosa_gov_sa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@geosa_gov_sa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-geosa
• Instagraminstagram.com/geosa_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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