OpenStreetMap in Zambia now has 260,000 more buildings. We have now completed a massive building import for northern Zambia. Building data in OSM enables on the ground teams access to a critical shared resource and this new data is supporting active malaria prevention programs across Zambia.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been working with Akros Global Health, Ona, and USAID’s Geocenter to import this massive building dataset. Akros has collected over a million buildings through mSpray, their Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) program for malaria prevention funded by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and Bureau for Global Health at USAID. These teams need data to know where, when and what to spray. Using geospatial data enables teams to more effectively carry out spray campaigns and offer real-time monitoring of spray team logs ensuring goals are being met. This import is just the beginning for these programs as they look to leverage OSM as a shared resource for baseline data.

260,000 buildings across northern Zambia

This new data comes just in time for OSM Geography Awareness Week. If you’re in Lusaka, join the local OSM Zambia community for a mapathon. Mapping events are happening around the globe this week to celebrate OSM. Find an event nearby and join in the celebration.