Reflections on the first State of the Map Conference in Malawi

Patrick Ken Kalonde, Blessings Chiepa, Joshua Kacheyo, Edith Kalagho, Wonderful Kunje, Tarcizio Tobias Kalaundi, Clinton Nkolokosa, Priscilla Kapolo, Zola Manyungwa, Faith Chimphondah, Prince Time Matope Aaron, Marvin Wandale, Precious Chisuse, Susan Chibophe, Upile Chilewani, Lemekezani David Mtachi, Glory Jemimah Mwamughunda, Christine Mhone, Godfrey Kandikana, Nellie Ziyenda, Gumbi Gumbi, Rachel Kumwenda Kaunda, Charles Kapachika, Geoffrey Kataregga, Fanuel Meckson Bickton

State of the Map (SotM) conferences are important events that enable OpenStreetMap (OSM) contributors and users to present and discuss their work. However, when international SotM conferences are held in the Global North countries, participation by African geoscientists is not guaranteed due to various barriers, including travel costs and visa restrictions. Conversely, locally held SotM conferences within Africa mitigate these barriers. Such conferences have been held in different African countries. Malawi hosted its first SotM conference in 2024 at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), bringing together its local geospatial science community to discuss the landscape of the field in the country. In this paper, we reflect on the conference’s proceedings, positive developments, opportunities, and challenges facing Malawi’s geoscience community. The paper contributes to the broader understanding of how African countries are leveraging geoscience and identifies areas for further growth and collaboration.