Abstract:
Urbanization is rapidly transforming Africa, presenting both opportunities and challenges for local development. Open mapping, facilitated by emerging technologies and collaborative approaches, has the potential to revolutionize urban planning, infrastructure development, and service delivery across the continent. This proposal aims to explore the valuable insights and practical applications of open mapping as a support tool for sustainable urban development in Africa.

Key Points to be Covered
1. Open Mapping for Transparent Governance:
Transparent governance is crucial for fostering accountable institutions and empowering citizens. Open mapping can play a transformative role in promoting transparency by providing access to geospatial data and enabling citizens to monitor and engage with public projects and decision-making processes. This section will discuss case studies where open mapping has helped improve governance, citizen participation, and accountability in Africa.

1. Enhancing Infrastructure Planning and Management:
   Efficient infrastructure planning and management are vital for sustainable development. Open mapping provides valuable insights for infrastructure planning, including transportation networks, utilities, and public services. This section will explore how open mapping has been used to optimize resource allocation, identify infrastructure gaps, and enhance connectivity and accessibility in African communities.

2. Open Mapping for Environmental Sustainability:
   Africa is rich in biodiversity and faces significant environmental challenges. Open mapping can contribute to environmental sustainability by supporting conservation efforts, land-use planning, and disaster risk reduction. This section will showcase examples of open mapping initiatives that have helped protect natural resources, mitigate climate change impacts, and enhance resilience in African communities.

3. Promoting Social Equity through Open Mapping:
   Addressing social inequities and promoting inclusive development are critical goals for Africa. Open mapping has the potential to bridge the information gap and empower marginalized communities by providing geospatial data for decision-making. This section will explore how open mapping can be leveraged to address issues such as urban poverty, informal settlements, access to education and healthcare, and land tenure insecurity.

4. Overcoming Challenges and Building Sustainable Open Mapping Communities:
   Open mapping initiatives face various challenges, including data quality, technological barriers, capacity constraints, and sustainability. This section will discuss strategies to overcome these challenges and build sustainable open mapping communities in Africa. It will highlight capacity-building programs, collaboration models, and the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector.