State of the Map Africa 2025/Call for venues/Zambia
Welcome to the Bid Proposal Page to Host State of the Map Africa 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia.
Our vision
“Mapping each and every corner of Africa on OpenStreetMap,” State of the Map Africa 2025 - Lusaka will be an event where we celebrate the diversity of the OpenStreetMap community in Africa and its achievements. Zambia is a landlocked country and is among the developing countries in Southern Africa that have experienced high demand for geospatial technology. This event will bring together OpenStreetMap African Communities and organizations using OpenStreetMap/Open data to scale development in Africa by sharing their experiences using geospatial data. In the bid to increase OSM usage and awareness, Zambia is the heart of Southern Africa. It will bring together all Southern and other African countries so that they share their achievements and promote OSM both in government and private institutions. The conference will also offer visitors a package to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Why Lusaka?
Lusaka is Zambia's capital and economic centre. It is rapidly emerging as a key gateway city for Central and Southern. This dynamic metropolis offers a compelling venue for the State of the Map Africa 2025 conference. Lusaka is centrally located within Zambia, it is at the crossroads of major highways, making it easily accessible from all corners of the continent. The city boasts of a well-developed transportation network, including an international airport with connections to major tourist destinations within Zambia, such as Livingstone, home to the magnificent Victoria Falls. Additionally, Lusaka serves as a transportation hub for neighbouring countries, offering delegates various budget-friendly travel options via the intercity bus station.
The city offers diverse accommodation options, from luxury hotels to conveniently located guesthouses and sophisticated apartments, catering to all budgets and preferences. Furthermore, Lusaka boasts over 15 modern shopping malls, ensuring delegates have access to a wide variety of amenities. Beyond its modern facade, Lusaka offers a window into Zambia's rich cultural heritage. Delegates can explore the vibrant local markets or visit the National Museum to delve into the country's fascinating history. Lusaka caters to a variety of interests after the conference concludes. Delegates can unwind and experience Zambia's renowned hospitality in the city's lively nightlife scene. Those seeking adventure can embark on exciting day trips to nearby attractions like the Lower Zambezi National Park, Kalimba Reptile Park, or Munda Wanga Environmental Park with its beautiful botanical gardens.
Who is the Team? Our team consists of the core members of the OpenStreetMap Zambia/OpenDataLab Zambia community with a diverse set of backgrounds. The team last year organized SoTM Zambia virtually but this year the team is set to host SoTM Zambia physically. Furthermore, our team has members who have attended previous State of the Map conferences and can replicate lessons learned at State of the Map Africa 2017, 2019 and 2023. Some of the members have experience organizing the State of the Map Africa, State of the Map World, and HOT Summit and have been part of many international conferences. Our skillset will be leveraged to organize the best State of the Map Africa ever from conference activities to leisure activities. You can contact us at opendatalabzambia@gmail.com or chabotamunachoonga4@gmail.com
Our team members are;
- Chomba Chishala
- Kennedy Jomokela
- Chabota Munachoonga
- Marrien Kalapula
- Gertrude Namitala
- Choolwe Hamama
- Charles Chilufya
- John Chansa
- Nasilele Amatende
- Deberah Kapemba
- Mbile Mushashu
- Edith Namusamba
When?
The best time for SotM Africa 2025 is November/December. The weather is conducive and there are less University activities at that time.
Where?
The proposed venue for SotM Africa 2025 is Lusaka at The University of Zambia. The University of Zambia is the oldest University in the country and it has a very good environment to host conferences with a number of modern auditoriums that will make SotM Africa a success. In addition, The local organizing committee has forged a partnership with the Geography Department to host the conference. The venue of choice within the university is the amazing newly built GSB lecture theater complex, capable of accommodating up to 350 attendees, with nice and comfortable rooms for break out sessions accommodating between 50 to 60 participants each.
TLC2 Theatre at the University of Zambia
TLC2 Theatre at the University of Zambia
Located amidst a favorable environment, The University of Zambia offers convenient access to various social amenities, including the nearby East Park Mall. The venue also features Goma lakes, which will be utilized for the inaugural street party in SotM Africa's history, featuring the popular traditional Southern African braii.
Accommodation needs are met with basic facilities onsite, supplemented by alternative options all within a 10-minute radius. Security arrangements include a police station within the university grounds, complemented by additional personnel hired for the event. An allocated hallway will showcase posters and art depicting African mapping history, providing a dedicated space for scholarly and cultural exhibitions. Sponsors will have access to a spacious hall where they can set up promotional displays.
Efforts to secure sponsorship from local organizations such as GIZ, Trudigital Technologies, Trade Kings, TESCO, USAID, and others are underway to support the conference when hosted in Zambia.
Budget
We anticipate the participation of 300 people at the three day event. 1 USD = 26 ZMW
| Items | Quantity | Unit price (US $) | Amount (US $) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 3 days | 500 | 1,500 |
| Catering | 300 people | 30 | 9,000 |
| Scholarships (Southern Africa) | 20 | 400 | 8,000 |
| Scholarships (Rest of Africa) | 15 | 1,600 | 24,000 |
| Sound System | 3 days | 250 | 750 |
| Pre-conference Marketing | 1 | 200 | 200 |
| Pull up banners | 4 | 250 | 1,000 |
| Backdrop banners | 2 | 250 | 500 |
| Teardrop banners | 2 | 150 | 300 |
| T-shirts | 300 | 15 | 4,500 |
| Conference package | 300 | 10 | 3,000 |
| Sticker | 300 | 1 | 300 |
| Photography & Video coverage | 3 days | 1,000 | |
| Internet data | 3 | 500 | 1,500 |
| Cocktail (street party) | 300 | 10 | 3,000 |
| Volunteers | 15 | 50 | 750 |
| Logistics (Transport & Communication) Airport pickups |
1,000 | ||
| Miscellaneous | 1 | 500 | 500 |
| Entertainment | 4 | 200 | 800 |
| Total | $61,600 |
Accomodation
| Hotel | Rates for a double room per day | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommonWealth Guest house Unza | Single rooms $15 Double room $20 |
UNZA Graduate School of Business | 0211294108 | |
| Troy Lodge | Single room $30 Double room $40 |
Nanshila Road, Lusaka | +260962332643 | |
| Grand Palace Hotel | Single room $50 Double room $63 |
Plot 35376,Thobo Mbeki Road Post Box: 37077,Lusaka,Zambia |
+260-211251014 +260-971257676 |
http://www.grandpalacez.com |
| Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka | $132 | 19029 Great East Road Lusaka | +260 960 280900 |
https://www.radissoonhotlel.com |
| Protea Hotel by Marriott Lusaka | $80 | Arcades Shopping Complex, Cnr Great East Road,10101 Thabo Mbeki Rd, Lusaka | +260 211254664 | https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lunls-protea-hotel-lusaka/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2 |
| Backpackers | $20 |
Transportation
Air Transport
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is situated in the capital city Lusaka, 27 kilometers from the main business district. From the airport to the venue for the conference, which is The University of Zambia it is about a 30 minutes drive. A number of international airlines fly to and from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport namely: Turkish Airlines, Emirates, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Proflight, Mahogany, Ethiopian Airways, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Air Tanzania, TAAG Angola Airlines, and Malawian Airlines.
Road Transport
Airport Taxi: Taxis from the airport are the main models of transport that take people from the airport to destinations in and around Lusaka. Furthermore, taxis are available in most of all the locations within Lusaka city, Hiring vehicles within Lusaka is very much possible and easy.
Yango is the Uber alternative in Zambia which can take people around Lusaka and the surrounding areas. The Yango app can be downloaded from Play Store and App Store and register and you are ready to go anywhere around the city comfortably and affordably. Bus services: Zambia is a land-linked country meaning it is surrounded by other countries in Southern Africa, therefore there are international buses that travel within Southern Africa such as South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana, this shows that Zambia is the center and it very easy to enter Zambia using road transport which is cheaper than air transport.
Minibuses: There are many public modes of transport within the city and they take people to and from the city center and township at very affordable amounts. The minibuses have an Orange ribbon on them as a way to show that they are public buses.
Train route
Zambia has one train route connection to Tanzania which is cheap and comfortable. International
Visa details
NO VISA
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member States do not have to pay for a visa when entering Zambia, namely; Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, and Uganda.
VISA
Other countries which require a visa to enter Zambia need to apply for the visa online and collect it on arrival at the airport as you enter Zambia. For countries which have a Zambian Embassy a visa can be processed from there. All visa details and more information can be found on the following website visitors visa information
Covid-19 requirements to enter Zambia
In March 2023, the Zambian government lifted all Covid-19 restrictions at all ports of entry. Therefore, there is no need to show proof of vaccination, recovery or testing against COVID-19 to enter the country.
Language
English is the official language of Zambia, used in business and in education.