The Service Géographique de l’Afrique Équatoriale Francaise was a the French colonial administration’s survey and mapping unit. It was founded and directed by mapmaker and colonial administrator Georges Bruel (1871-1944) in 1909. After graduating from the recently established Colonial School in 1891, Bruel embarked on his administrative career in Equatorial Africa in 1893. He undertook five missions between 1895 and 1911, including Oubangui (1897) and Chari (1899-1901). Between 1902 and 1904, he commanded the Haut-Chari base and later conducted boundary delineations for major concession companies in Oubangui (1906-08). Through his explorations, he produced highly valuable reconnaissance maps.

In 1909, Bruel assumed leadership of the new geographical service of French Equatorial Africa in Brazzaville. During World War I, he was appointed head of the “Topographical Section” of the 30th Corps due to his specialized knowledge. He retired as Chief Administrator of the colonies but continued to compile reports and maps on French Equatorial Africa throughout his life.