NSG has announced plans to integrate UP42 into its growing Geospatial division following the acquisition of Taqnia ETS. The UP42 platform aggregates data from over 80 leading geospatial providers, facilitating seamless access and management for various industries, including agriculture, urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster management.
Martijn Blanken, CEO of NSG, stated, "By integrating the UP42 platform into the KSA ecosystem, we are positioning NSG to deliver cutting-edge geospatial insights for one of the world's fastest-growing economies. This acquisition is pivotal in fulfilling our vision to lead innovation in the geospatial sector both locally and globally, while contributing to the growth of the space economy in Saudi Arabia, in full alignment with Saudi Vision 2030."
This initiative complements NSG's enhanced role in Earth Observation (EO) services, bolstered by its permit to provide EO Platform Services in Saudi Arabia, granted by the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) earlier this year.
Sean Wiid, CEO of UP42, remarked, "Joining NSG is an exciting step for UP42. Our continued international business growth will support the ambition to make NSG a global leader in geospatial innovation. At the same time, we will play a key role in developing a robust Earth observation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia for the benefit of the Government, Agriculture, Energy, Travel, and Tourism sectors."
Established in May 2024 by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), NSG aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the satellite and space industries. The organization is committed to fostering innovation, supporting emerging industries, and advancing the country's Vision 2030 goal of economic diversification.