The Ethiopian Mapping Agency (EMA) was originally set up in 1954 as a small section within the Ministry of Education for preparing various maps for schools in Ethiopia. The need for a national mapping was felt vital soon after, and thus the section grew to the Mapping and Geography Institute of Ethiopia after two years. Since then, it has passed through various organizational setups until its establishment as an autonomous agency of the government of Ethiopia under Proclamation No 193 of 1980.