ANAMBRA CLINCHES GLOBAL GOOGLE MAPS AWARD

Karen James

Anambra State has emerged as the winner of the Top Fan Vote category at the prestigious Google Maps Platform Awards for its bold digitisation of property tax administration.

This recognition places the state firmly on the global innovation map for its strategic use of geospatial technology to reform revenue systems.
The award honours the deployment of Google Maps and Google Earth Engine technologies by the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) to improve property enumeration, mapping precision, and transparency in internally generated revenue.
The initiative, known as the APLUC Mapping Project, has identified approximately 1.5 million properties across the state, with more than 553,000 already digitally clustered and integrated into the tax net.
Receiving the award from Silicon Valley, the Executive Chairman of AiRS, Greg Ezeilo, described the honour as a strong validation of the agency’s deliberate, technology-driven reforms.
He stated that upon completion of data harmonisation and full system integration, the state is expected to unlock more stable, predictable, and sustainable revenue streams.
Selected from over 4,000 global entries, the APLUC project distinguished itself through measurable impact, innovation, scalability, and strong public engagement.
Beyond the accolade, the achievement reinforces Anambra’s growing reputation in digital governance and fiscal reform, positioning the state among Nigeria’s leading subnational governments advancing technology-enabled revenue administration and ICT-driven public sector transformation.