About us
A community of mappers, students, and partners building open data for Ethiopia
OpenStreetMap Ethiopia is the local face of the global OpenStreetMap movement — connecting community knowledge with open geospatial tools to support humanitarian, civic, academic, and technical work across the country.
Mission
To grow a thriving Ethiopian open mapping community that produces high-quality geospatial data for humanitarian, civic, and development needs.
Vision
An Ethiopia where every place is on the map, and where communities own and use their geographic data to shape decisions that affect them.
What is OpenStreetMap
A free, editable map of the world built by a global community of volunteers, freely licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL).
Why we matter
Open mapping is national infrastructure
Geographic data underpins almost every public decision — from where to build a clinic to how aid reaches a drought-affected village. When that data is open, locally produced, and trustworthy, communities and institutions all benefit.
Humanitarian readiness
Open data accelerates response when crises strike — drought, floods, or displacement.
Civic services
From transit to addressing, open maps make essential services more legible and equitable.
Education & careers
Every mapathon is also a classroom: students gain real, employable geospatial skills.
Evidence-based decisions
Local governments, NGOs, and partners use OSM data to plan, monitor, and evaluate.
Our values
What we stand for
Open
Open data, open knowledge, open process.
Inclusive
Across regions, gender, and disciplines.
Rigorous
Quality data communities can rely on.
Community-first
We map with people, not just for them.
Community structure
How the community works
OSM Ethiopia is structured around a national community, university chapters, and partner organizations who collaborate on programs, mapathons, and field missions.
National community
Mappers, volunteers, professionals, and partners across Ethiopia.
University chapters
YouthMappers and student chapters in 12+ universities.
Institutional network
Government, UN, NGO, academic, and private partners.
Ready to map with us?
Join the community, attend a mapathon, or partner with us on a national initiative.