Blessings Chiepa
Blessings Chiepa is a passionate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing specialist with over six years of experience in spatial analysis, data visualisation, and applying geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges across Africa. He holds an MSc in Geographical Information Management from Cranfield University, awarded through the prestigious Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, and received the Esri UK Prize for excellence.
Blessings has supported evidence-based decision-making in disaster risk management, public health, and environmental planning through his work with organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and the United Nations Development Programme. He is proficient in tools including ArcGIS, QGIS, R, Python, and ERDAS Imagine.
Beyond his technical expertise, Blessings is a committed advocate for open mapping and community development. He co-chaired the inaugural State of the Map Malawi 2024, leads initiatives with OpenStreetMap Malawi, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Spatial Girls Network and the Board of Trustees for the Center for Governance and Leadership. His work focuses on empowering communities through open geospatial technologies and fostering inclusive, data-driven development across Malawi and beyond.
Intervention
In 2024, Malawi hosted its first-ever State of the Map Malawi (SoTMM) conference; an important milestone for the country’s growing open mapping ecosystem. The event was organized by OpenStreetMap Malawi, a Community of Practice (CoP) comprising GIS professionals, remote sensing experts, open-source advocates, university students, and researchers from across the country.
Bringing such a national conference to life for the first time came with valuable lessons, key challenges, and promising opportunities. Beyond SoTMM, the OSM Malawi community has continued to implement a wide range of initiatives aimed at expanding the geospatial community, promoting open mapping practices, and fostering collaboration across sectors.
This talk will reflect on the journey of organizing the inaugural SoTMM, the strategies we’ve employed to build and sustain community networks, and the ongoing activities driving engagement and capacity building in Malawi. It will also explore the broader implications for emerging OSM communities across Africa; offering practical insights, sparking dialogue, and encouraging peer learning among communities navigating similar paths.