Assessing YouthMappers Contributions to the Generation of Open Geospatial Data in Africa

Abstract

As leaders of tomorrow, we, the African YouthMappers, are taking the initiative of contributing toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals that are a blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all. Our contributions center on the generation of open geospatial data, which is critical when making decisions on achieving desired development across all seventeen goals. In response to the African continent’s alleged data inadequacies, YouthMappers, as vital members of the OpenStreetMap community, have made significant contributions to open geospatial data in Africa. This chapter highlights the contribution of YouthMappers to not just build maps – which especially supports reduced inequalities around data access in Africa (SDG 10) – but also to build mappers – by advancing the geospatial capacity of young people across the continent, addressing (SDG 8) decent work and economic growth.