Anambra State has won international recognition at the inaugural Google Maps Platform Awards, emerging as the winner of the “Top Fan Vote” category for its large-scale digitisation of property tax administration.
Selected from more than 4,000 global entries, the state’s project was recognised for its impact, innovation and effective use of geospatial technology to modernise revenue systems.
The award highlights the work of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS), which deployed Google Maps and Earth Engine technologies to overhaul property enumeration, improve mapping accuracy and strengthen internally generated revenue through data-driven governance.
At the heart of the reform is the APLUC mapping initiative, launched just over a year ago to create a comprehensive digital inventory of properties across the state.
According to AiRS, the project has identified approximately 1.5 million properties statewide, with more than 553,000 already digitally clustered and integrated into the tax system.
Officials say the database is expected to expand as ongoing harmonisation efforts continue, providing a more reliable and transparent framework for property taxation and public revenue management.
Speaking after receiving the award delivered from Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley, the Executive Chairman of AiRS, Dr Greg Ezeilo, described the recognition as validation of sustained institutional reform driven by technology.
He noted that once data harmonisation is complete, the system is expected to unlock stronger, more dependable revenue streams for the state.
The project leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map, classify and digitally link property records, imagery and tax data. By integrating geospatial intelligence into fiscal administration, authorities aim to reduce leakages, improve compliance and enhance transparency.
The recognition places Anambra among Nigeria’s leading reform-oriented states using digital tools to modernise governance. Observers say the initiative reflects a broader shift among subnational governments in Africa toward technology-enabled public administration.
The award comes amid a series of technology-focused reforms in the state, including the rollout of the Anambra State Geographic Information System (ANAMGIS) to update land records and streamline land administration.
In December 2025, Anambra also received four major honours at the 13th National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), where it was recognised for achievements in ICT development, broadband infrastructure and digital capacity building.
The Google Maps Platform Awards, which mark 20 years of global mapping innovation, evaluate projects based on impact, creativity, technological application and public engagement.
For Anambra, the latest recognition emphasises how digital mapping, once primarily a navigation tool, is increasingly being harnessed to transform public finance and governance.