GEOHABARI

Geohabari Pod

Amplifying African Tech Stories and Elevating Technical Brilliance. This is a podcast for the geospatial community. 

  1. Oct 12

    From Reselling Software to In-House Solutions Development Across Eastern Africa | Eric Nyadimo

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari In the first episode of  **The Making Of**, we sit down with Eric Nyadimo, CEO of Oakar Services Limited, a regional geospatial consulting firm delivering solutions and training across Eastern Africa. Eric takes us back to his early career, the beginnings of Oakar, and stepping into the role of CEO at just 31. We explore how the business has evolved from reselling software from international brands to expanding into surveying and mapping and developing its own in-house software solutions used across the region. Beyond the business, we get into some of the conversations shaping Kenya's geospatial landscape, including the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI) and Ardhi Sasa. Eric also shares perspectives from his wider industry leadership as President of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) and Chair of the Land and Physical Planning Board at KEPSA. - What does it take to grow a geospatial business, navigate change, and help shape an evolving industry? We get into all this and more in this episode of *The Making Of*. 00:00:00 – Meet Eric Nyadimo 00:05:40 – Early career and the road to Oakar 00:06:50 – Introducing Oakar Services 00:09:46 – The early days of geospatial companies in Kenya 00:12:32 – The services Oakar started with 00:13:10 – Taking over as CEO 00:16:03 – What does it really mean to be a CEO? 00:20:16 – The key roles in building a company 00:22:35 – Understanding Oakar's business model 00:25:00 – The strategic decision to have two separate companies 00:26:00 – Oakar Services Limited and Esri Eastern Africa 00:28:28 – Expanding Oakar's business portfolio 00:31:14 – Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software 00:33:38 – The project that put Oakar on the map 00:35:27 – The tough decisions behind building a business 00:37:42 – Leadership beyond Oakar: ISK and KEPSA 00:44:00 – ISK (Institution of Surveyors Kenya) as a professional body 00:52:00 – Digitizing land in Kenya with Ardhi Sasa 00:58:55 – Advice for young professionals 01:03:41 – Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI)

  2. Trailer

    The Making Of | Premieres 12th October.

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari The official trailer for The Making Of. The series premieres on 12th October.

  3. Aug 17

    S3 E14: From Open Geospatial to NASA Lifelines & Authoring Astral Abyss

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari In this episode of the GeoHabari Young Professionals Segment, I sat down with Nelson, a recent geospatial graduate, for one of those conversations that starts in geospatial and somehow ends up elsewhere. We got into the world of Open Geospatial data and tools, his experience with OpenStreetMap (OSM) and what it has taught him about building communities around open data. Nelson also shared his experience as a microgrant juror, giving us a glimpse into the kinds of ideas and projects that are emerging from the open mapping ecosystem. We then took things a little further out. Nelson talked about his role as an advisor for NASA Lifelines, the thinking behind building systems that can support communities through some of the world's biggest challenges, and where geospatial data fits into that picture. And because apparently maps and space weren't enough, we also got into his new book, Astral Abyss, exploring another side of Nelson's work, hobbies and imagination. It's a conversation about open data, mapping, community, space, technology, creativity and the strange paths a career can take when you don't put yourself in one box. Because sometimes the most interesting geospatial careers aren't the ones that follow a straight line. Watch. Listen. And maybe rethink what you think "Geospatial" can actually become. The book Astral Abyss is available on Amazon; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9914509312?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SH2SERCMR79GR3K8N32D&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SH2SERCMR79GR3K8N32D&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SH2SERCMR79GR3K8N32D&bestFormat=true #GeoHabari #YoungProfessionals #OpenStreetMap #OpenGeoSpatial #GIS #NASA #Geospatial #OpenData #Space #AstralAbyss

    S3 E14: From Open Geospatial to NASA Lifelines & Authoring Astral Abyss

  4. Jul 27

    S3E13: Why Countries Must Invest in National Data Systems

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari What does it take for countries to build data systems that serve their people, strengthen governance, and shape their own digital futures? On the sidelines of the Global Data Festival and the Kenya Space Expo and Conference 2026, we sat down with Jenna Slotin, CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, to explore what success looks like for national data systems in the years ahead. In this conversation, we discuss: Why countries should invest in data systems as critical infrastructureWhat it means for nations to drive their own digital futures in the age of AIThe role of governments, citizens and partnerships in building resilient, trusted data ecosystems

  5. Jul 22

    S3E12: What Is Space Weather? How It Affects GPS, Satellites & Your Everyday Life

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari Have you ever heard someone introduce themselves as a Space Weather Expert? Neither had we. In this episode of the GeoHabari Young Professionals Segment, Linus sits down with Mary Dusabe, a Navigation & Positioning Engineer at the Kenya Space Agency, researcher, instrumentation engineer, and space weather specialist, to unpack one of the most fascinating careers you've probably never heard of. Together, they explore what space weather actually is, why solar storms matter, how they affect GPS, satellites and communication systems, and why this field is becoming increasingly important in our connected world. But beyond the science lies an equally inspiring story. Mary shares her journey into this highly specialized field, the decisions that shaped her career, the value of curiosity, the importance of building strong technical and communication skills, and why young professionals shouldn't be afraid to explore paths that don't yet have a roadmap. Whether you're in geospatial sciences, engineering, technology, or simply trying to figure out your own career path, this conversation is packed with practical insights and a refreshing reminder that some of the most exciting careers are the ones we were never told about. If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who loves technology, science, or is still figuring out where their career might take them.

  6. Jul 13

    S3E11 : Shaping Kenya's Space Future | Major General Hillary Kipkosgey

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari What keeps the Director-General of the Kenya Space Agency, Major General Hillary Kipkosgey, up at night? We caught up with him on the sidelines of the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Conference & Expo to hear his perspective on: What success looks like for Kenya's space sector and the broader African ecosystem How Africa can collectively strengthen the upstream and downstream space value chain.  The one question we couldn't leave without asking: What keeps him up at night?

  7. Jul 6

    S3E10: Murky Road to Discovering Your Path

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari What if the best career decisions aren't the ones you planned... but the ones you were curious enough to explore? In this episode of the Young Professionals Segment on the GeoHabari Podcast, Linus and Chelsea sit down with Majuek, whose career journey is anything but conventional. Rather than following a neatly laid-out roadmap, he shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and experiences that helped shape his professional journey, and why sometimes the path only makes sense when you look back. Together, they explore what it really means to create opportunities for yourself, build meaningful relationships, communicate your value, and remain open to unexpected turns along the way. One of the standout moments from the conversation? "If I can't call you tomorrow after networking, then all I just did was add a contact to my list." It's a simple statement, but it completely reframes what networking is really about. Whether you're a student trying to figure out your next step, an early-career professional navigating uncertainty, or someone simply wondering if they're "behind" in life, this conversation is a reminder that careers aren't built in straight lines—they're built through curiosity, relationships, consistency, and the courage to keep moving. Sometimes the road is murky. That doesn't mean you're lost. It might just mean you're discovering a path that's uniquely yours.

  8. Jun 29

    S3E9: When Data Meets Reality: Lessons from Agriculture & Public Health

    Thank you for being here. Text Geohabari On this episode, host Yariwo Kitiyo sits down with Lisa Mbwia a Data and Spatial Consultant and Nancy Kinyua - Geospatial & MERL Specialist | Data Systems to explore what it really takes to turn data into impact in two of the most data-rich sectors: public health and agriculture. Drawing from their experience working across geospatial technologies, public health, agriculture and development programmes, they unpack the realities of working with data in complex, real-world systems. From community health workers and smallholder farms to field validation, fragmented systems and data governance, this conversation goes beyond the datasets to explore the people, processes and decisions that ultimately shape impact. Together, they discuss: - The current state of the public health and agriculture data ecosystem. - Practical applications of GIS and geospatial data in solving real-world challenges. - Why rich datasets don't always translate into better outcomes. - The realities of navigating fragmented data systems, governance and implementation. - What builders, policymakers, funders and practitioners should consider when designing solutions that work in practice.

    S3E9: When Data Meets Reality: Lessons from Agriculture & Public Health
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Trailer

About

Amplifying African Tech Stories and Elevating Technical Brilliance. This is a podcast for the geospatial community. 

Information

  • Creator
    Geohabari Pod
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GEOHABARI
  • Show Website
    GEOHABARI