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

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.

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?

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 growth
• How to make startups truly bankable, beyond grants
• Translating research in academic institutions into go-to-market products
• Breaking silos between research, industry, and government
• Rethinking how we measure success in academia — shifting from papers published to actual products
• What startup success really means: raising money, driving sales, or creating lasting impact?
• Why teaching innovation and entrepreneurship must align with realities on the ground

It’s a rich discussion on funding, innovation, and reimagining what it truly means to build Africa’s startup ecosystem.

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.

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.

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 job
• How to deal with imposter syndrome that never really goes away
• Why soft skills aren’t soft at all
• Navigating meetings, reports, and corporate lingo
• The difference between school skills and workplace survival
• And yes… how to answer that “Tell us about yourself” interview question

If 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?

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/

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 Antugrow
• Rama Afullo - Ex-Tesla, Ex-Google, Ex-SpaceX — now building Satlyt.ai

Why 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.

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

In this episode, Charles Mwangi hosts three true Pan-Africanists 🙂:

• Ben Roberts, Principal Advisor – Digital Economy Advisors
• Buntu Majaja, CEO – SA Innovation Summit
• Sylvia 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”).

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 work
• The reality of soft skills, teamwork, and self-teaching
• Why mentorship, networking, and open-source tools matter
• What 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.

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.

In this episode of the Tech Stack Series, we explore the frontend layer of geospatial technology — the part users actually see and interact with. Our guest, Valentine Irungu, a junior GIS developer, shares her journey into frontend development, from learning HTML and JavaScript to building interactive map experiences.

We talk about what frontend means in the context of GIS, what tools and frameworks she's exploring and how frontend roles connect with the rest of the tech stack. It’s an honest, beginner-friendly look at the visible side of geospatial apps — the space where design meets data.

On this episode, we’re joined by Allan Mogley, a GIS Systems Developer at Planate Management Group. Allan specializes in building, designing, and maintaining data pipelines.

He dives into his tools of the trade—from Apache and Python to webhooks—and shares his approach to creating scalable, automated, and collaborative pipelines. Allan also gives us an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how pipelines are built and how they serve stakeholders, particularly in engineering, based on specific use cases. Tune in for insights into the real-world applications of data pipelines and how they drive efficiency across teams

In this episode of the GeoHabari podcast, the conversation focuses on fostering innovation within Kenya's space sector. Panelists Nekesa Were, Victor Otieno, and Davis Cook, moderated by Charles Mwangi, explore building dynamic ecosystems, leveraging local talent, and prioritizing practical solutions to channel space technology effectively. Key insights include the importance of collaboration, addressing indigenous issues, nurturing curiosity, and engaging various stakeholders—from grassroots to policy-making levels. They also highlight successful case studies like the electronic Community Health Information System in Kenya , the SA-SME Fund in South Africa and discuss frameworks for supporting local innovators through tailored funding and policy alignment.

Welcome to our new segment, "The Student Segment," where university students take center stage to share their experiences. From projects and challenges to tech views and student banter, this segment offers a holistic view of student life through diverse voices and unique perspectives, highlighting the individuality of their journeys.

In this episode, we're joined by Nollyn Gondi Perry, a 4th-year Geomatics Engineering student from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. 

Nollyn discusses the challenges she faces, including financial constraints and the impact of delayed HELB fund dispatch on her ability to sit for exams. She also shares insights from her internships at the Kenya Space Agency and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), her plans for the future, and how she got started in her course.

Tune in for this and so much more. 

In this episode, Joy Akinyi, Business Development Manager at Penta-b, talks about her rich experience in business development, from being an account executive to leading sales across the region.

The conversation looks at tech sales as a budding career and the art of closing deals. She underscores the importance of not just hearing but truly listening to what the client needs and ensuring the product or solution addresses these very same pain points—no more, no less!

Joy also discusses the relationship between tech departments and the business development arm of the business, highlighting it as the heart of what makes clients happy and the key to building for the market.

What's a BD episode without the money side of it? We get into it as well!

If you're a tech enthusiast or interested in pursuing or polishing up your business devlopment skills, then this is the episode for you. 

On this episode, Kory Stephen, a Spatial AgData Scientist, takes us through the world of productization of EO Data for Agriculture with design thinking. 

He talks about his first project on sugarcane poaching, which opened his eyes to the massive opportunities in agriculture. 

Kory explains what sets productization apart from the usual creation process. We also explore intersecting roles, the gaps in creating models such as yield forecasting, and the opportunities available. Tune in for a comprehensive journey of productization with a laser focus on agriculture.

What does the future of tech and agriculture look like in the next decade and what does his retirement plan look like? We also go through a fan quickfire round.

This episode is part of the Career Transitions Series where we explore different career paths with a laser focus on the geospatial industry.

 Laura Mugeha shares her journey navigating an unconventional career path where the work to impact ratio is her primary driver. She comprehensively explains technical community management as a role, highlighting monumental engagements such as Youth Mappers, Map Kibera, Nairobi Ideation, Africa Women in Tech ( ust to name a few) and her evolving skill set. 

Laura also sheds light on some of the challenges this comes with such as the absence of individuals with similar backgrounds taking up such roles. 

We also dive into her current role and what it means to be a technical community coordinator managing AfricanDrone and sensors.AFRICA.

- What is career capital and how can you best build it?

- How can you position your referees to accurately speak to your skills and capabilities

- How to sequentially organize your thoughts to respond to technical questions in an interview.

In this subsequent segment, Njeri Murage and Yariwo Kitiyo delve into the concepts of career capital, optimizing referee representation, and give examples from our professional experiences to illustrate these ideas. Additionally, we address some of the questions posed by you on the previous episode - Part I.

• How do I position myself as an asset?
• How do I determine an appropriate salary to request for a position I've applied to?
• How do I write a high impact resume?

On this episode we have a candid conversation with Njeri Murage, looking into her career journey leading to her current role as Head of Systems at Conflict Armament Research. 

We explore her various roles, the considerations guiding her some of her decisions like pursuing a masters or leaving survey work to pursue Geomatics and the career challenges that have shaped her journey. 

Additionally, we get into those the uncomfortable realities of workplace discussions, including salary negotiations, and shed light on valuable community resources often overlooked.

In this thrilling episode, Angela Moturi - GIS Researcher at KEMRI - Wellcome Trust, leads us through the intricate objectives of the Malaria vaccine pilot project. We uncover the compelling context behind the urgent need for a malaria vaccine, illuminating the staggering impact of this disease on communities across Kenya.

A vital component in the intricate puzzle of the malaria vaccine rollout, is the creation of a comprehensive master facility list, Angie takes us through how this important undertaking seamlessly integrates with existing health systems like DHIS, enhancing the ability to collect and interpret data effectively.

The conversation also explores the multifaceted factors that affected the vaccination pilot such as health worker strikes and procurement challenges, illustrating their profound impact on healthcare access and service delivery which affected the immunisation schedules for children. We uncover the complex dynamics that drive caregivers to seek care elsewhere, often bypassing the closest facilities in favor of alternatives.

This episode is an absolute must-listen, giving us a captivating glimpse into the groundbreaking efforts to combat malaria in Kenya. 

Don't miss out on this enlightening journey towards a malaria-free future!

Resources: 

Research Paper: Malaria Vaccine Coverage Estimation

Malaria Key Facts - World Health Organization

We'd like to think of this conversation as a buildup from the COP 28 Conference. Dolphine Mongina, a senior location analyst at Dalberg unpacks Africa's renewable energy potential in terms of numbers, connectivity and why this conversation is very important.

We discuss the pivotal role of geospatial data in not only situating and sizing this energy potential but in also creating powerful investment propositions for investors. 

This is a comprehensive conversation, outlining the creation of a suitability model based on a predefined criteria to situate this energy potential, determine the datasets to be used and effectively communicate findings to investors. 

This episode is a must listen for anyone who'd like to gain insights into Africa's renewable energy potential.

Resources: 

1. Submit to Speak at the Esomar Conference
2. https://www.irena.org/
3. Resource Watch
4. Global Forest Watch
5. Global Wind Atlas
6. Global Solar Atlas

This week's episode featured a discussion with Charles Mwangi, Acting Director, Space Sector and Technology Development at the Kenya Space Agency (KSA)

We delve into the agency's origins, their current initiatives, Kenya's trajectory into space exploration, and, of course, the spotlight on Taifa 1. 

Join us as we uncover the behind-the-scenes insights into the Kenya Space Agency's journey since its inception, addressing critical gaps such as redundant data collection efforts, establishing a compelling value proposition for space, creating opportunities for young people to venture into space and fostering a robust data ecosystem for Kenya. 

This episode is undoubtedly one for the archives, shedding light on the agency's endeavours and aspirations.

This is a bonus episode. We delve into the tech world, discussing the feedback that both clients and end-users deliver that techies dread.

Another technical therapy episode where we laugh and learn things. 

In this episode, our guests share their experiences on common client feedback, such as 'the link isn't working,' 'the dashboard has no data,' and the classic 'quick adjustment' that turns out to be a days-long endeavor. 

Tune in for a 15 minute tech banter. We promise it's worthwhile:-)

What are some of your relatable experiences with clients?

Introducing Episode 1 of our Geospatial Banter Series, a fresh addition to our podcast where we blend technical expertise with a dash of humor to humanize our experiences. 

We share workflows that we, as techies, find less enjoyable but must be done! 

In this series, our guests share some of their icks and challenges when working with geospatial tools and data.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the Banter Series—let us know what you think!

This is episode 2 of the Studying Abroad Series. 

On this episode, Leila Maritim is our guide through the thrilling world of the open Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. We explore the application process, uncover the requirements, peek into the program structure, and discover the gems within the modules.

Leila also spills the tea on her absolute favorite classes and what she appreciates most about the curriculum of the Erasmus Copernicus Master in Digital Earth.

But wait, there's more! We'll be flipping through the pages of the Erasmus Catalog and check out some other courses that grabbed our attention. Hopefully, this exploration will be useful in providing valuable insights into the variety of programs available within the scholarship! Cheers to delving into our next life options!:-)

Resources: 

https://www.youtube.com/@VictorAgboga

The Erasmus Mundus Catalog

Opportunity Hub

Ever wondered about the underlying factors that enable various robots, drones applications? 

For instance, how does a drone recognise farmlands or delineate a specific area of interest? In this episode, we explore the role of a GeoAI Engineer and delve into the requirements for constructing highly accurate machine learning models applicable to unmanned systems. 

Gain insights into a typical day in the life of a GeoAI Engineer, uncover the tips and tricks for building these models and discover the essential skills of the 21st century that one should master.

Resources Shared: 

https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50s-introduction-artificial-intelligence-python

https://www.gem-msc.eu/

On this episode we take a deep dive into studying abroad through geospatial lens. We explore the entire landscape right from scouting for courses, university options, scholarships all the way to getting you into your university of choice. We also give you some tips on what you should definitely carry from home.

Join Ann Cheptoo and Charlynne Jepkosgei as they break the process down sequentially for us based on their diverse experience studying in Scotland and Netherlands respectively. The nuggets on here will definitely get you prep'd for your Msc Geospatial journey. 

Resources: 

https://opportunitydesk.org/

https://www.opportunitiesforafricans.com/

https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/

https://www.studyinnl.org/

Dutch Organization for International Education

In this episode, we delve into the realm of food security, covering everything from definitions to key indicators that can shape your narrative. Stella Mutai walks us through the role of Earth Observation (EO) and various food classifications that are very relevant to analysts.

We break down the data, explore common workflows, discuss tool options, and delve into the indicators employed by our guest to generate insightful information crucial for shaping food security policies and their implementation across Africa. 

Additionally, we'll explore the lighter side of this topic, discussing exciting trends, must have skills and game-changing resources that have us enthusiastic.

Episode Resources: 

IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 

The Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard 

HungerMap Live 

The Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) 

https://medium.com/radiant-earth-insights/15-leading-women-in-ml4eo-86ce9f660626

GIS for Climate Action