State of the Map Africa 2025/Call for venues/Ethiopia

Vision for State of the Map Africa 2025

Empowering Communities through Mapping and Innovation

At OSM Ethiopia, we envision hosting the State of the Map Africa 2025 in Addis Ababa as an opportunity to create a vibrant and inclusive event that fosters the growth of OpenStreetMap (OSM) across the continent. Our mission is to leverage the power of geographic data to empower communities, drive sustainable development, and spark innovation.

1. Engaging and Empowering Communities
   • We aim to engage diverse communities across Africa by providing training, resources, and support to enhance their mapping skills.
   • Through workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on sessions, we will equip participants with the tools needed to contribute effectively to OSM.
2. Showcasing African Innovation
   • Ethiopia’s rapidly growing technology sector provides a vibrant backdrop to highlight innovative mapping projects and technological advancements.
   • We will feature success stories from across Africa, demonstrating how OSM data is being used to address local challenges and improve lives.
3. Fostering Collaboration and Networking
   • The conference will serve as a platform for collaboration, bringing together OSM enthusiasts, developers, researchers, and policymakers from around the world.
   • By fostering connections and partnerships, we aim to create a strong, interconnected community that can support and learn from each other.
4. Driving Sustainable Development
   • Our vision includes leveraging OSM data to support sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa.
   • We will explore how accurate and accessible mapping data can drive progress in areas such as disaster response, healthcare, education, and environmental conservation.
5. Celebrating Cultural Exchange
   • Hosting the conference in Addis Ababa allows us to celebrate Ethiopia's rich cultural heritage and its contributions to the global OSM community.
   • We will incorporate cultural events and local experiences to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of Ethiopia’s history and diversity.
6. Future-Oriented Vision
   • We envision this conference as a catalyst for future growth and innovation in the OSM community.
   • By setting ambitious goals and creating a roadmap for the future, we aim to ensure that the impact of State of the Map Africa 2025 resonates long after the event concludes.

Why Addis Ababa for State of the Map Africa 2025

Addis Ababa, meaning “new flower” in Amharic, is Ethiopia's capital and largest city, central to the country’s dynamic economic growth. Situated at 8.9806° N, 38.7578° E and 2,440 meters above sea level, the city is nestled on a plateau surrounded by hills and mountains. With a metro area population of approximately 5.2 million in 2022, Addis Ababa serves as the headquarters of the African Union, hosting biannual AU summits and acting as a hub for world diplomatic missions. The city’s vibrant technology sector is exemplified by hosting events such as #AfriConAI2022, focusing on AI solutions in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Africa-related solutions, offering a significant opportunity to accelerate the growth of OSM communities. Addis Ababa’s beautiful scenery, fresh air, museums, and parks, combined with its diverse wildlife and hiking opportunities, provide a unique and attractive setting. Additionally, the city will host the Great Ethiopian Run in June, adding to its appeal. The strong local support from the government, educational institutions, and the tech community ensures that the State of the Map Africa 2025 will be a well-organized, impactful, and memorable event.

Who is the SotM Africa Addis Ababa Team?

The Addis Ababa Bid team is composed of passionate OpenStreetMap (OSM) enthusiasts from OpenStreetMap Ethiopia (OSM Ethiopia), including GIS experts, engineers, and software programmers. OSM Ethiopia serves as a vital link to local OSM communities, YouthMappers, the HOT team, and other organizations. Our team boasts several experienced OSM contributors, a regional ambassador in YouthMappers, and personnel with extensive experience in attending and organizing events like SotM Africa, GeoNight, and other international conferences.

Our Team Members:

• Biniyam Dele: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia and regional ambassador for YouthMappers
• Yohannes Yehualashet: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia
• Tadele Dagne: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia and GIS expert
• Edilawit Ashagre: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia
• Tsion Taye: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia
• Dembel Bonta: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia and GIS expert
• Yared: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia
• Alazar Tekle: OpenStreetMap Ethiopia

For any inquiries, please contact us at info@omsethiopia.org.

When?

We propose hosting the State of the Map Africa 2025 conference in June, coinciding with the African Union summit, the European Union - African Union summit, and the Great Ethiopian Run. This timing will attract leaders and experts in OpenData sources and GIS, enhancing networking and collaboration opportunities. Additionally, June's favorable weather makes it an ideal time for attendees to explore the city.

We suggest a three-day event, ideally spanning a weekend and the preceding Friday. This schedule will maximize participation and engagement from local, regional, and international attendees.

Where?

Our proposed venue is the historic Addis Ababa University, 6 Kilo Campus, Africa's first university. This location offers a blend of modern conference facilities and a rich historical backdrop, making it an ideal setting for our event. The campus is equipped with ample space for plenary sessions, breakout discussions, workshops, and networking events. We anticipate hosting up to 300 delegates for SoTMAfrica 2025, including members of the OSM community and other stakeholder groups such as government, civil society, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the technical community. Addis Ababa offers a variety of suitable venues for the conference. Our proposed additional venues include the Skylight Hotel, about 1.8 km from Bole International Airport (approximately a 7-minute drive with no traffic), and the African Union Meeting Hall, about 8 km from Bole International Airport (approximately a 16-minute drive with no traffic). Both venues offer excellent facilities with the capacity to host up to 800 participants. A budget quote for one of the venues is enclosed in the budget below.

Transportation

Addis Ababa is easily accessible through various modes of transportation, making it convenient for all attendees.

Air Travel

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's leading and most profitable airline, ensures excellent connectivity. Recognized by IATA in 2014 as the largest airline in Africa by revenue and profit, Ethiopian Airlines has been at the forefront of African aviation for over seventy years. The airline offers flights to:

• 51 destinations within Africa
• 17 destinations in Europe and the Americas
• 25 destinations in the Middle East and Asia
• 19 domestic destinations within Ethiopia

Bus Travel

Traveling by bus is a popular and economical option for reaching Addis Ababa, especially for those coming from neighboring East African countries. The city's public transport system includes the Anbessa, Sheger bus service and numerous minibuses for short-distance trips. Intercity buses in Ethiopia are affordable, with fares around $1 for 25-50 kilometers. Luxury buses are available at a slightly higher cost, while ordinary buses, though less comfortable, operate frequently. Buses typically depart when full, which can involve varying wait times.

Rail Travel

Addis Ababa is proud to have Sub-Saharan Africa’s first renewable energy-powered light-rail train, setting a new standard for urban public transport. The light-rail train (LRT) can carry up to 60,000 people per hour. Within just ten months of operation, it has achieved ridership of 15,000 passengers per hour in each direction.

Local Transport

Getting around Addis Ababa is easy with options like motorbikes and various taxi services, including Ride, Feres, ZayRide, and Seregela.

Accommodation

Addis Ababa, a historic and vibrant city, offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every need and budget. Whether you're looking for modest guesthouses or luxurious hotels, you'll find a variety of options in all districts, each providing quality services and Wi-Fi. The city center features business hotels and serviced residences, while luxury hotels are located along the corniche. More affordable options, such as guesthouses and inns, are available in popular areas and near the conference venue.

Addis Ababa’s diverse hotel offerings ensure that all conference attendees will have a comfortable and convenient stay, regardless of their budget or preferences.

Experience and Community Engagement

OSM Ethiopia has a proven track record of successfully hosting events such as State of the Map Ethiopia and Space and GIS Day, in partnership with the Ethiopian Space Science Society and the Geospatial Information Institute. These experiences have equipped us with the expertise and organizational skills needed to host a successful State Of The Map Africa 2025 conference.

Local Attractions and Activities

Addis Ababa, the capital city, is rich in cultural and historical attractions. Attendees can visit landmarks such as the National Museum of Ethiopia, the Ethnological Museum, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. We will also organize cultural tours and activities to provide a genuine Ethiopian experience, including traditional music, dance, and cuisine

Inclusivity

We are committed to making the State Of The Map Africa 2025 conference inclusive and accessible. We will offer scholarships and discounted registration fees to local mappers, students, and underrepresented groups. We also plan to collaborate with local universities and tech communities to inspire the next generation of OSM contributors.

Budget

The currency in Ethiopia is Birr. As of June 19, 2024, the exchange rates according to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia are:

• USD 1 = 57.71 Birr
• EURO €1 = 62.00 Birr
• POUND STERLING £1 = 73.38 Birr

Budget Breakdown

Item	Quantity	Amount in Birr	Total Amount in USD	Remark
Venue	3days	300,000	5882	Amount in Birr and USD is inclusive of the 3days
Pre-conference marketing		102,000	2000	Marketing the conference will start as soon and up to a few days to the conference
Catering	3days	1000 per person per day	9,000	This is the average.
Scholarships	30	1,300,500	25,500	This number may change depending on the scholarships committee.
Tshirts	300	500 per T-shirt	2945
Banners	3	6460 per banner	380	It includes subjective and all e-banners designs
Stickers	1000	14025	275	Amount Inclusive
Conference Package	300	2000	4500	Including bags, pens, notebooks among others.
Media Coverage (Photography & Videography)	3days	76,500	1500	Amount in Birr and USD is inclusive of the 3days
Social event	1day	400,000	3750	Including Visiting, map Gallery, hiking programs.
Security	3	10,200 per person/3days	500
Volunteers	14	12,750	250	Amount will cover the accommodation and few other expenses for the volunteers.
Miscellaneous		102,000	2000
Total			58,500

Value Proposition

Addis Ababa offers a unique value proposition by integrating the African Union’s OpenStreetMap (OSM) community and GIS experts to leverage open geospatial data for humanitarian services. The city supports the development of productive partnerships with research institutions to optimize OSM achievements. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in humanitarian services in Ethiopia, addressing critical areas in need.

Miscellaneous

Visa Policy for Ethiopia

Visitors to Ethiopia must obtain a visa from one of the Ethiopian diplomatic missions unless they come from visa-exempt countries or those eligible for an electronic visa or visa on arrival. For more details, see the full list of visa categories here.

COVID-19 Requirements for Travel to Ethiopia

Fully vaccinated passengers are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test to travel to Ethiopia. The medical certificate must show full vaccination with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before arrival. For more details, see the COVID-19 policies for entering Ethiopia here.

Internet Connection

Ethio telecom, a pioneer telecom service provider in Africa, supports Ethiopia’s socio-economic development by introducing the latest technologies. The fifth-generation network (5G), known for its fastest speed, has been launched in Addis Ababa. Additionally, Safaricom has entered the Ethiopian market, further enhancing internet connectivity and competition, ensuring reliable and fast internet services for all attendees.

Language

Amharic is the official language of Ethiopia and Addis Ababa. English is the most widely spoken foreign language in the country.