Exploring the role of OpenStreetMap / open mapping in providing spatial intelligence and community representation for decision-making and action in response to the effects of climate change in Africa.

Including two presentations from HOT's African Open Mapping Hubs on their experience and ambitions in the open mapping / climate space, as well as an expert panel discussion on the topic, with representatives from GEOTE, Heigit Institute, FAO Somalia and OMDTZ (Tanzania).

Geoffrey Kateregga is an ardent advocate for open mapping and community building, embarking on his journey in 2012 when he joined OpenStreetMap following a memorable Mapping Party in Kampala. Since then, he has been an active and influential contributor to the local community in Uganda, playing a key role in its transformation into a thriving non-profit organisation. In 2015, he joined the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, where he currently serves as the Community Projects Lead.

Marie Makuate recently joined HOT (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team) as Senior Associate in Disaster Services and Training. She is a Ph.D. candidate and researcher in Geomatics at the ministry of scientific research and innovation in Cameroon; her work focuses on using computer science in geographic information science for environmental management.

Kennedy Jomokela is an environmentalist, senior mapping supervisor, projects team lead, active member & trainer osm community, data analyst and consultant. He works for HOT at the Open Mapping Hub - East & Southern Africa

Omowonuola Akintola is a Geospatial Data Analyst highly involved in utilising geospatial technology for good. She works for HOT at the Open Mapping Hub - West and Northern Africa

Janeth Mwakisole is a graduate with a degree in Environmental Sciences and Management and an ADDA-certified drone pilot and geospatial data analyst. She is secretary and drone pilot of a non-profit organization (GEOTE) that is aiming to solve environmental problems using geospatial technology and open data for sustainable development.

Benjamin Herfort is a researcher at HeiGIT and Heidelberg University. He has recently finished his PhD, for which he investigated questions of representation and data quality in OpenStreetMap from the perspectives of humanitarian and machine learning-assisted mapping in order to map what is not mapped.

Emanuel Kombe works for OMDTZ and is a highly skilled professional in Geography and Environmental studies, known for his expertise in OpenStreetMap (OSM) and his role as an OSM Advanced Level, Project Manager, and GIS Person. With a passion for geospatial technology and a deep understanding of its applications, Emanuel has made significant contributions to the mapping community.

Michael Makokha is Deputy Head of the FAO SWALIM Geospatial Unit and accomplished International GIS Specialist. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Geospatial Engineering and a Master's Degree in Geographic Information Systems he is passionate about utilizing GIS/RS Mapping for humanitarian support, early warning, anticipatory action, post-disaster impact analysis & recovery, GIS/RS capacity building, land tenure systems, community participatory mapping, and urban governance mapping.

The four Humanitarian Open Mapping Sessions at State of the Map Africa bring a focus on different aspects of humanitarian open mapping and OpenStreetMap, covering mapping informal settlements, mapping for climate resilience and new humanitarian open mapping technologies.