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We often say, "It takes the world to map the world," and the work we do with OpenStreetMap communities and mappers is a testatment to that. It also demonstrates just how value input from locals with on-the-ground knowledge is. Here's how we're putting that to work in Africa.
From June to October 2025, thousands of participants across 20 countries united to improve OSM’s Africa map, as part of the 30-Day Africa OSM Mapping Campaign, the 90-day Fix Africa Map Challenge and other community events. Sponsored and supported by TomTom, in collaboration with local OpenStreetMap (OSM) communities and YouthMappers chapters, the group of mappers made an impressive 18 million map edits across Africa. This achievement showcases how much local knowledge and community-driven mapping adds to global maps — enhancing map quality for navigation, disaster response, city planning and more.Why quantity matters
Indeed, 18 million map edits sounds like a lot, but it’s not just about quantity. The number signifies the breadth of local knowledge that bolsters commercial mapping techniques, which can fall short in certain areas and lack critical detail that only a human on the ground can appreciate. As data can be incomplete and become outdated as conditions change, local insight is invaluable when it comes to filling these gaps.
By engaging and empowering local communities, TomTom ensures that maps capture and reflect the nuances and realities on the ground. Every edit is an improvement to the map with an impact that will be felt by anyone that uses the map, whether they know it or not.
The ability to access accurate maps has far-reaching implications — from improving emergency response times, to optimizing transportation networks, supporting sustainable development and informing decision-making in a range of industries.
Keys to success: Preparation, motivation and momentum
The success of the events started with great preparation. Local communities organized thorough orientation and training sessions ensured that everyone was empowered and ready to take on the challenge straightaway.
Throughout the duration of the mapping challenges, community events, regular updates and a bit of friendly competition and prizes kept the momentum alive. The energy and passion contributors showed is a testament to the collaborative spirit that drives OSM communities — where productivity and strong connections go hand in hand to forge a better map.
The power of collective efforts: Results in numbers
During the various TomTom projects, events and mapping challenges, an incredible 25.4 million community map edits were recorded — 18.13 million of which were made to the Africa map as part of the 30-Day Africa OSM Mapping Campaign and the Fix Africa Map Challenge. The impact is reflected in the significant volume of edits across essential map features:
1,374,554 buildings
5,153 km of roads
4,011 km of waterways
2,042 km² of land use/land cover
1,239 points of interest
In recognition: Community voices
At TomTom, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants, and to highlight a few who have shared their experience of the event in their own words.Kingsley Chika Chukwu: "The event was an incredible experience. It was a transformative 30-day journey of Africans providing data to address African challenges and create a real impact."
Awania Morish: "Participating in the 30-day challenge was a rewarding journey that strengthened my mapping skills and deepened my connection to Africa’s geography and communities."
Micheal Kaluba: "Participating in this event by TomTom was a rigorous yet rewarding experience. It was also a great opportunity to meet and interact with new people from diverse communities."
We’d also like to congratulate members of Comunidade YouthMappers Moçambique for their outstanding participation — they had the highest number of contributors in the event — and strong commitment to community learning. As they said, "The participation of the Comunidade YouthMappers Moçambique chapter was a true journey of learning, engagement and community strengthening."
Finally, we applaud the OpenStreetMap Uganda community for their contributions, earning them the title of Best OSM Community in the challenge. "This achievement is a reflection of the collective effort, passion and commitment of our vibrant community,” they said in response to the recognition.
Local knowledge, widespread impact
By embracing collaboration, TomTom and OSM communities are ensuring that maps around the world better reflect the real-time, real-world conditions on the ground. Through our shared efforts, we’re doing more than making accurate maps — we’re helping to empower communities with enhanced data for smarter solutions to real-world challenges and more importantly, help them develop the autonomy and skills so they can make change and access insight themselves. That’s why, as we continue to invest in technologies, partnerships and other mapmaking efforts at TomTom, we will also continue to support local, community-based initiatives and grassroots mapping. When it comes to addressing global mapping challenges, there’s nothing that can measure up to the effectiveness of this combination.
More mapping to come
As the world keeps changing and growing and evolving, we will keep mapping it. We look forward to continuing our partnership with OSM communities and the YouthMappers chapters in Africa. Once again, thank you to every contributor who participated in these challenges. We value your your hard work, dedication and passion for mapping. Together, we are building a brighter future through the power of maps and community collaboration — across Africa and beyond.People also read
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