Geoffrey Kateregga
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 organization.
In 2015, he joined the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, where he currently serves as the Community Projects Lead. His dedication centres around empowering communities and fostering collaboration across the region, making a profound impact on sustainable development.
Geoffrey's passion for OpenStreetMap is further reflected in his dedicated involvement with OpenStreetMap Africa, a network of local OSM communities. He spearheads efforts to organize the bi-annual State of the Map Africa conference, celebrating successful editions in Kampala, Uganda (2017), Abidjan, Ivory Coast (2019), Online (2021), and Yaounde, Cameroon (2023).
Committed to the broader OpenStreetMap community, Geoffrey actively participates in several working groups, including the HOT Community Working Group, Voting Membership and Training Working Group, as well as the OSMF Local Chapters and Communities Working Group. He firmly believes in the transformative power of collaboration to bring about positive change and progress.
Beyond his contributions to OpenStreetMap, Geoffrey remains engaged as a member of the Wikimedia Community User Group in Uganda, where he passionately advocates for open knowledge sharing and community-driven initiatives.
Sessions
Governance in OpenStreetMap communities is a pivotal but often underexplored aspect that significantly influences their growth and long-term sustainability. This panel aims to shed light on the crucial role of governance within OpenStreetMap communities and initiate a thought-provoking discussion about its potential impact on community direction and resilience.
OpenStreetMap (OSM) communities are vibrant and collaborative ecosystems where contributors, enthusiasts, and organizations come together to map the world. While the focus often centers on mapping data and technical contributions, the importance of governance in ensuring efficient decision-making and equitable representation is equally crucial. This panel discussion seeks to elevate the significance of governance in OpenStreetMap communities and foster a deeper understanding of how it shapes their trajectory.
Key points of discussions
1. What does it mean to open mapping communities?
2. How does it affect direction and sustainability, success and failures of the community?
3. What are the challenges / limitations / reservations in building or formalizing governance in open communities?
4. Potential to get clearer idea on what is expected in governance for OSMF local chapters
This talk proposal aims to present a comprehensive report on the current state of OpenStreetMap (OSM) in Africa, based on recent survey data and analysis. The talk will delve into the level of map data coverage, examine the factors driving the growth of OSM communities in different countries, discuss the challenges and successes of open mapping in Africa, and explore the membership and governance structures of OSM communities on the continent.
OpenStreetMap has gained significant traction in Africa, empowering local communities and facilitating access to accurate geospatial data. This talk will provide an up-to-date analysis of the state of OSM in Africa, highlighting the progress made since the 2020 survey and shedding light on the challenges, successes, and membership structures within OSM communities.