Avsnitt
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How do we need to build data and space systems that underpin sustainable development?
At the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo Conference, Geohabari explored this question through The Builders Reality Room , a session bringing together different ecosystem perspectives on what it takes to build systems that create real-world impact.
We begin with the builder’s perspective.
Antugrow, with over 3,000 farmers on the platform, paying customers, and growing adoption, offers a grounded view of what building looks like in practice. As COO Brian Amani notes, customers don’t necessarily care about the data — they care about the value it creates.
In this episode, Brian shares Antugrow’s journey from a research project to a growing agri-data intelligence company, including the iterations that shaped the platform and how farmer challenges around information, finance, and performance informed its evolution.
The session also explores their product journey — from Antugrow Farm Adviser, powered by Earth Observation data, to SmartShamba, an integrated agricultural intelligence ecosystem comprising SmartShamba Intelligence, SmartShamba Search, SmartShamba Diary, and Shambani.
This is Inside the Build — Part I of The Builders Reality Room. -
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Ever wondered what actually happens after you click "Submit Application"?
What recruiters look for in a CVThe role of skills, experience, and academic qualificationsBuilding portfolios that stand outLinkedIn and professional brandingInterview preparation and presentationCommon application mistakesThe realities of hiring in today's marketPractical advice for students, graduates, and early-career professionals
In this episode of the Young Professionals Segment on GeoHabari Podcast, Linus and AnnStella sit down with Kate and Diana, Co-Founders of Talent Partner Limited, for an honest conversation about what happens inside the hiring room and how young professionals can better position themselves for opportunities in today's job market.
Together, they unpack the realities of recruitment, what recruiters and hiring managers pay attention to when reviewing applications, and some of the common mistakes that cause candidates to miss out on opportunities.
The conversation explores:Most importantly, this episode moves beyond theory and dives into practical insights that can help you navigate your next application, interview, or career move with greater confidence.
Whether you're a student preparing for the job market, a recent graduate, or a professional looking to position yourself more effectively, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons and insider perspectives.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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On this episode, the hosts —Yariwo Kitiyo and Joyce Gathoni — sit down for a heart-to-heart conversation with Wanjohi Kibui, a GIS consultant and Founder & Director of LiGIS Consulting.
We explore his journey from starting out as a freelancer to eventually building a company and leading a growing team. Wanjohi shares how his early career was shaped by major projects, including building a land information system for the National Land Commission and how that opened doors to long-term contracts and clients across the region.
He also unpacks the realities of freelancing , the opportunities, the challenges and what it really takes to sustain it, while also running a GIS consultancy firm. We dig into how he balances both worlds and what that looks like in practice.
Along the way, we get practical insights on how to sell your services, position yourself for gigs, and build credibility in a competitive space.
If you’re interested in independence from the start i.e freelancing, consulting, or building your own company while planning for long-term growth , this episode is for you. Wanjohi has spent much of his career working independently, and he brings a grounded, real-world perspective on what that journey actually looks like. -
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Carbon markets, geospatial data, and carbon credits explained. In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Ambuka, a GIS Data Analyst working at the intersection of data, carbon markets, and community impact.
We explore the full carbon ecosystem—from the basics of carbon sequestration and activities that drive emissions, to how geospatial data and Earth Observation enable measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
The conversation dives into how carbon sinks are determined, the methodologies behind carbon credits, and the datasets and tools (including GIS platforms like QGIS) used in real-world projects.
Samuel also shares insights on the role of geospatial professionals in this space, career pathways, and the biggest gaps in the carbon markets ecosystem—especially where opportunities exist across Africa and emerging markets. -
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On this episode, we sit down for a fun, free-flowing “brain scan” with Francis Kioni, a senior geoanalytics engineer. We dive into what he’s been building, the tools that made his 2025 list, and what’s catching his attention this year.
This is a technically rich conversation, from rethinking the lifespan of shapefiles to the rise of newer formats like GeoParquet. We get into how DuckDB is changing the way we interact with data as a lightweight OLAP engine, and why it’s quickly becoming a go-to in modern workflows.
And yes, H3 hexagons make an appearance. The system popularized by Uber comes up as we explore how spatial indexing is shaping analytics and visualization in practice.
Safe to say… we opened all the geotech tabs in this one.
Enjoy the episode, and let us know: what tools are you currently exploring, and how are they shaping your workflows? -
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pamela Ochungo to unpack the realities of Earth observation — beyond the buzzwords and into the real-world impact.
From satellite data and remote sensing applications to the challenges of implementation across Africa, this conversation explores what it truly takes to turn geospatial insights into meaningful decisions. -
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We said yes to cameras… welcome to Season 3 🎥 (drum rolls)
This is our opener episode, a fun, chill sit-down with the team, on camera for the first time. (Grab your coffee or Kenyan brewed tea, maybe?)
We catch up on what we’ve been up to, then get into what’s been catching our attention across maps, AI and tech , from tools and models we’ve been exploring, to industry partnerships, to where we think geo is headed in 2026.
We also reflect on 2025. Hackathons, the Africa Earth Observation Challenge, the rise of LLMs and natural language interfaces in geospatial, and some maps from the community that genuinely made us pause mid-scroll.
It’s a chill one… but there’s a lot in there. -
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On this edition of the Young Professionals Segment, host Linus Anari sits down with Charlynne Jepkosgei and Stella Mutai, founders of Women in Space Kenya — a network dedicated to building a strong community of women in the space sector and inspiring the next generation of women leaders.
They unpack the inspiration behind Women in Space Kenya, exploring why it exists and how it’s creating inclusive pathways in the space ecosystem through mentorship, outreach, and visibility.
For the first time ever, they’re hosting the African Women in Space Conference, happening 27th–28th November at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya — an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, explore diverse applications of space technologies, and take part in immersive activities including telescope viewing, drone demonstrations, virtual reality experiences, model rocket launches, and more.
Register for the The Africa Women in Space Registration Here -
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Our very first episode of the Geohabari Impact Series is here, and what a way to begin!(insert drum rolls:-))
In partnership with the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) Eastern & Southern Africa Hub and the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), this story takes us deep into Laikipia’s Sipili town, where maps, data, and community converge to spark real change.
Featuring Duncan Kebut, Project Lead at HOT, and Lucy Ngandu, Programme Officer at ALIN, the episode explores what happens when communities map their own realities and how open tech becomes a tool for empowerment and visibility.
What happens when communities map their own realities? When open tech becomes a tool for empowerment and visibility? This episode follows how ALIN and HOT used open data and local knowledge to identify where to deploy internet masts, connecting homes that had never been online before through the Beyond the Map Grant. A walkthrough into what community mapping done right looks like and decolonizing data in practice.
And this time, we’ve layered the story with immersive soundscapes and voiceovers...growth, eyy? 😉
A powerful walkthrough of what community mapping done right looks like and what decolonizing data means in practice.
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For the first time on the Young Professionals segment, we recorded this episode with a live studio audience of students and young professionals joining the conversation in real time.
🎟️ Don’t miss the Africa’s Women in Space Conference, happening November 27–28 at Strathmore University. It’s free and open to everyone, register here.
In this Young Professionals segment of the GeoHabari Podcast, host Linus Anari sits down with Dr. Pamela Ochungo - a lecturer at The Technical University of Kenya (TUK), remote sensing specialist, mentor, and one of the most inspiring voices in African geospatial science.
Together, they unpack how careers rarely follow straight lines and how the “side quests” we stumble into often open the most meaningful doors. From mapping livestock to studying honeybees, preserving archaeology, and even tackling public health, Dr. Ochungo shares how curiosity and open-mindedness shaped her journey into unexpected opportunities.
This conversation is packed with insights for students and young professionals: why keeping a learner’s mindset matters, how to position yourself for opportunities, and why collaborations beyond your field could redefine your career.
If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your next step or wondered whether detours are setbacks or stepping stoneS, this episode is for you.
Listen in, reflect, and ask yourself: what unconventional side quest could change my journey?
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On the 5th edition of The Space Ecosystem Playbook, we’re joined by two leaders shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape: Agnes Tsuma, Expert at the Joint Innovation Facility (Africa–Europe Digital Innovation Bridge), and Ian Lorenzen, Executive Director and Partner at GrowthAfrica.
In this candid conversation hosted by Charles Mwangi, we dive into what it really takes to build sustainable innovation ecosystems in Africa:
Why local banks and blended finance are critical for startup growthHow to make startups truly bankable, beyond grantsTranslating research in academic institutions into go-to-market productsBreaking silos between research, industry, and governmentRethinking how we measure success in academia — shifting from papers published to actual productsWhat startup success really means: raising money, driving sales, or creating lasting impact?Why teaching innovation and entrepreneurship must align with realities on the groundIt’s a rich discussion on funding, innovation, and reimagining what it truly means to build Africa’s startup ecosystem.
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In this edition of theYoung Professionals Segment, we sit down with Kelvin Nyabuti to unpack the raw realities of transitioning from campus to career. From sending out 15 job applications a day and facing ghosted promises, to landing a breakthrough role at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kev’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, faith, and grit.
He opens up about the shock of imposter syndrome, adapting to global teams, and learning to embrace discomfort as a path to growth. We talk candidly about job rejections, the pressure of “real world” mistakes, and the mindset shifts that helped him move from rookie to professional in the geospatial field.
Whether you’re fresh out of uni, still navigating applications, or settling into your first role, this conversation is packed with lessons on perseverance, continuous learning, and remembering that life is for the living—both inside and outside the 9–5.
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What does it take to build an African innovation ecosystem from the ground up?
On this edition of the Space Ecosystem Playbook with Charles Mwangi, we sit with two trail blazers Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza One and Dr. Shikoh Gitau, CEO and Founder of Qala.
In this episode, Sheena Raikundalia and Dr. Shikoh Gitau share how they’re laying the foundations , from training talent and building AI for African languages to creating agri-business opportunities that turn youth into entrepreneurs. We talk about failure as a milestone, bridging government and startups, breaking silos, and why the “boring” infrastructure work is where the real transformation happens.
Sheena and Dr. Shikoh also reflect on the family values, teachers, parents, and role models who shaped their paths and how they’re now creating those same opportunities for others.
This is a holistic conversation with both depth and breadth, exploring how our childhood and early influences shape who we become, and how those lessons translate into creating the very foundations on which ecosystems thrive.
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On this episode of the Young Professionals Segment hosted by Linus Anari and grounded in raw, relatable, and authentic lived experiences , we’re joined by Florine Kaino, Geospatial Advisor at Mercy Corps.
From landing her first technical role at Microsoft to interning at Esri Eastern Africa, Florine shares the real, unfiltered journey of transitioning from school to work. She walks us through the shocks of walking into the workplace on day one, feeling out of place, navigating unfamiliar office culture, and realizing that school only prepared her for a solid 2% of the job. The rest? She had to figure it out on the go.
We talk about:
Culture shocks at your first jobHow to deal with imposter syndrome that never really goes awayWhy soft skills aren’t soft at allNavigating meetings, reports, and corporate lingoThe difference between school skills and workplace survivalAnd yes… how to answer that “Tell us about yourself” interview questionIf you’ve just cleared school, wondering what’s next, or trying to figure out this thing called “career”, you're not alone.
This episode is a reminder that we’re all figuring it out, one awkward meeting, off-guard interview questions and surprise reports at a time. This is the episode you send to anyone just starting out, wondering “Am I the only one struggling with this transition?
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The Tech Stacks Series Finale: When GIS Works
We’re closing out The Tech Stacks Series with a bang—joined by Francis Kioni, Senior Geoanalytics Engineer at M-Gas. From vehicle routing problems (VRP) to territory mapping, suitability analysis, and more, this episode is a masterclass in how GIS drives value when applied right. Expect plenty of banter, tried and true insights, and side-by-side reflections on the methods that worked (and why).
It’s two analysts who’ve both worked in LPG, comparing notes on how GIS has shaped their work and evolved over time.
Francis shares what it’s like being in a one-man show GIS role (aren't we all?), where everyone refers to you as the “map guy”—a label he finds both limiting and amusing.
From writing clean code and automating workflows to building data pipelines and influencing business decisions, this episode explores how GIS professionals are doing far more than just making maps. Not every output is a map, but there’s often GIS behind the numbers, powering insights that drive strategy. It’s a reminder that geoenablement today looks very different. It’s about embedding spatial thinking into systems, dashboards, and decisions, even when no map is in sight.
Francis also takes us behind the scenes of his AWS tech stack—QuickSight, Athena, DynamoDB, Glue—and shares how these tools supercharge his geoanalytics workflows. (Here's a certification prep you never thought you needed:-)
If you’ve ever wondered what GIS looks like when it really works—this is it.
Resources:https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-kioni/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/milos-popovic-phd-89778117/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbforr/
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What's Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, AI and Gaming got to do with Space? - (see what I did there? lol)
In this very refreshing edition of the Space Ecosystem Playbook, we sit with three trailblazing guests whose work spans ground-level innovation and orbital ambition:
Jay Shapiro - founder of Usiku Games and chair of the Pan-Africa Gaming Group,Eddie Kago - Blockchain advocate and founder of AntugrowRama Afullo - Ex-Tesla, Ex-Google, Ex-SpaceX — now building Satlyt.aiWhy is this conversation important you ask?
Because space doesn't operate in a vacuum — and neither does innovation. From on-chain identity and credit scoring for African farmers, to gaming as a gateway to digital skills, to building interoperability protocols for satellites in orbit, these guests reveal how frontier technologies are actively shaping space access and participation.
We dissect funding, infrastructure, ownership, trust, and why Africa can't afford to sit this one out.
This episode is an invitation to supercharge the African space ecosystem by learning from other frontier builders.
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In this episode of the Tech Stack Series, we dive into the world of GeoAI backend engineering with Brian Pondi — a geospatial machine learning researcher working on the Open Earth Monitor project, a €12.7M EU-funded initiative aimed at making Earth more observable through reusable, open-source ML tools.
Brian shares what it takes to build production-ready ML APIs that power real-world use cases like crop prediction, land cover classification, and more — with a strong focus on model sharing, discoverability, and interoperability. We explore the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), why Europe’s research culture pushes for standardization, and how tools like OpenAPI, Stack-ML, and PyTorch shape the future of AI-driven Earth observation.
We also talk about his journey from Kenya to Germany, culture shocks, working in EU research consortia, and the importance of building tech that's open, inclusive, and reproducible.
If you're curious about the infrastructure behind the maps we use — and the AI models powering them — this is the episode for you.
🔗 Links to the Open Earth Monitor project and Brian's recommended resources:
The Open Earth Monitor Project
Open EO
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In this episode, Charles Mwangi hosts three true Pan-Africanists 🙂:
Ben Roberts, Principal Advisor – Digital Economy AdvisorsBuntu Majaja, CEO – SA Innovation SummitSylvia Makario, Managing Director – Identic Foundation(Also… how many times did we mention Pan-Africanism? You’ll have to listen and count!)
The conversation explores the importance of cross-boundary collaborations across the continent and the need to build strong foundational systems — from infrastructure to policy — that support talent growth and innovation. We also touch on the increasingly critical role of IP ownership in today’s tech-driven world.
We take a closer look at South Africa’s automotive industry, unpacking how it created a successful manufacturing supply chain that now extends into the space ecosystem, with local companies contributing to global satellite components. Lots of lessons here on building not just for the downstream, but also the upstream — including opportunities in LEO satellites and more.
Finally, we dive into the evolution of Africa’s startup ecosystem, comparing the pre- and post-COVID landscapes — from the fintech surge that laid foundational tech infrastructure, to today’s more mature, sustainability-focused investor climate (and a shift away from “spray and pray”).
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In this candid kickoff episode of our Young Professionals Segment, we sit down with recent graduates navigating the winding path from lecture halls to industry. From discovering GIS by “coincidence” to learning Power BI on the job, our guests share real stories of what they wished they knew before entering the workforce.
We dive into:
What the curriculum left out — and how it shows up at workThe reality of soft skills, teamwork, and self-teachingWhy mentorship, networking, and open-source tools matterWhat they’d tell their first-year selves (and maybe yours too)It’s honest. It’s unfiltered. And it’s the start of something special.
Whether you're a student, a recent grad, or someone who's been there — this episode’s for you.
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In this episode, we talk e-mobility with Amos Njenga, Lead Software Engineer at Greenwheels. From real-time tracking to battery monitoring and fleet management, Amos walks us through the intricate backend systems that power electric mobility in Kenya. We explore how smart tracking isn't just about location—it’s about integrating operational data (from driver apps to battery health) to deliver meaningful business value. Whether it’s choosing between custom vs. off-the-shelf tools or designing scalable tech stacks in the cloud, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build resilient systems in a fast-moving sector.
- Visa fler
