Well, let me share my experiences at “State of the Map 2024” in Nairobi at the University of Nairobi which I must say was like the coolest place ever for a bunch of map nerds like us to meet. As far as I can tell, it’s the place where all the folks behind OpenStreetMap, get together from all corners of the world to share their experiences, get excited about the mission of making this world more navigable with the help of our maps. It was very much like attending a large family reunion with an attempt at small talk that quickly degenerated into everyone’s passion for Open geospatial data.

At the first glance at place, I could sense the energy, the vibrancy, the pulse however one chooses to describe it. It worked as if entering a beehive of mapping lovers. People had this vibe that after this buzzing, everyone was eager to get down to business and start the sessions to discuss about how they have used OpenStreetMap in the different projects in their communities. I’m telling you, the keynote speakers? They were dropping some serious knowledge bombs about how this simple and fun mapping pastime has become an orchestra for communities. Disregard, as it is not just about going from point A to B now it is also about assisting from time to time when disaster strikes and also ensuring that our cities do not became concrete jungles without any means of implementation.

And the workshops? Oh man, they were like a buffet of brains 🧠, a table full of all the things I ever studied. If it was ‘a float,’ they had it. Looking for a GIS technology fix? Check. If you’re trying to get the latest and greatest on how to increase mapping in your community? Double check. It was as if the speakers were given an interactive storybook where instead of slaying stars ✨ attendees being enlightened on the benefits of open data. Of course, one has to remember these young lads “Youth Mappers” that are also creating and developing their own mapping projects. They’re the boys and girls of the next technological age, the mapmakers of a new age too, and it is rather thrilling actually. I also had a lightening about QFIELD and QFIELD Sync.

As I left Nairobi, I could leave a part of me in Nairobi for those few days💨 I was in the city. But you know what? I’m not sad. It’s awesome now that I have this network of friends and colleagues who are virtually distributed all over the world. And we’re all united by this by the passion to make sure that where you are, you can get your hands on some of the best maps I’ve ever seen the OpenStreetMap.

Yes, so State of the Map 2024 was fun, or as fun as one can expect when getting barely any sleep for four nights in a row. It made everyone feel much closer which was good and brought back my interest in the mapping job i do. Well, guess what it is not always that you can claim that you have reduced the world to a bundle of dots with the help of digital lines, is it? Keep on mapping, folks! In a special way, I would like to thank Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team through the HOT OpenSumit Program for providing me with a Travel Grant to make it possible for me to attend the event Another special thanks goes to Mr. Katerrega Geoffrey, and the entire OSM Kenya and OSM Ugandan teams.

God Bless!