New free guide: Guidance on Accurate Positioning and Sensor Technologies
27.02.2025
Unlocking Growth in Africa - Geospatial & Tech Business Opportunities in Emerging Markets
Sub-Saharan Africa's rapidly growing geospatial market presents exciting new opportunities for Finnish SMEs. This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and connections needed to tap into this dynamic region. Learn about real-world use cases, understand the local business environment, and discover how to partner with local actors, NGOs, and funders. Tanzania and East Africa, in particular, exemplify how emerging markets are integrating advanced geospatial data, Earth observation, and AI to tackle critical challenges in agriculture, urban planning, disaster resilience, and more.
This seminar series is designed to empower SMEs by demystifying the dynamics of the geospatial business ecosystem in the Global South. You’ll gain insights into real-world use cases, understand the nuances of local socio-cultural frameworks, and learn how to navigate the innovation and business ecosystems effectively.
Register here and join the webinar series!
Why should Nordic SMEs adapt geospatial data and technology solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sub-Saharan Africa is rapidly advancing in geospatial and location-based technologies across sectors such as agriculture, urban planning, disaster resilience, and climate adaptation. For Nordic SMEs, this presents a unique opportunity—not just to enter a growing market, but to engage in meaningful partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, academic institutions, and international funders.
Unlock New Markets & Drive Impact
This webinar series will help SMEs navigate the geospatial business landscape in the emerging markets by providing:
- Insights into local market dynamics and funding opportunities
- Real-world examples of geospatial data and technology applications
- Practical guidance on cultural and business frameworks for successful collaboration
Who Should Attend?
- SMEs in geospatial, AI, and tech sectors looking to expand into emerging markets
- Businesses and innovators focused on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction
- Stakeholders seeking partnerships with local organizations and international funders
Webinar Series Schedule
Session 1:
2.4.2025 at 14:15–15:30
Jumanne Mtambalike, Sahara Ventures – Geospatial Data & Technology Landscape and Business Market in Tanzania
Jumanne Mtambalike is a veteran technology and innovation strategist committed to shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. As an influential thought leader, author, early-stage investor, futurist, and entrepreneur, he is dedicated to driving Africa’s technological advancement and economic growth.
As the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Ventures, Jumanne leads efforts to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship across the continent. Under his leadership, Sahara Ventures champions investment, digital transformation, and ecosystem development, bridging the gap between policy, research, and business.
His notable achievements include managing the Buni Innovation Hub and spearheading Silicon Dar, Tanzania’s first organically formed technology district in Dar es Salaam. Recognised for his contributions to the sector, he was named the Most Influential Tanzanian in Science and Technology in 2017 and 2018.
- Connect with Jumanne Mtambalike on LinkedIn
- Sahara Ventures website: saharaventures.com
Session 2:
16.4.2025 at 14:15–15:30
Edward Anderson, World Bank – Geospatial Tech Innovations and Opportunities - Climate and Disaster Risk Management in Sub-Saharan Africa
Edward Anderson is the Senior Technology and Resilience Specialist for the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery based in Washington DC. His focus is on leveraging satellite applications and emerging imaging technologies for greater resilience in development operations. This includes the Digital Earth Partnership – a multi stakeholder platform to accelerate the deployment of frontier Earth Observation tools and services for risk-informed developed. Other programs include the Resilience Academy, which builds local skills and services adopting satellite, internet of things, community feedback and drone monitoring technologies to address unplanned urbanization in Africa. Edward Master’s degrees in both aerospace engineering and international economics and international relations.
- Read more about Digital Earth Partnership
Alex Chunet, European Space Agency – Opportunities Linked to ESA’s Collaboration with Development Banks and the European Commission in Emerging Markets
Alex Chunet is an Earth Observations Applications Engineer in the Long Term Action Section of the European Space Agency (ESA). He was the European Space Agency representative to the World Bank between 2021 and 2024. Before joining ESA, he worked at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) leading the development of the first geospatial strategy of the institution and also worked as a geospatial data scientist for the World Bank from 2017 to 2020. He holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, a Masters in Public Management from Sciences Po Paris, and has completed trainings from the MIT, the French Space Agency, and EUMETSAT in Data Science and Earth Observation technologies.
- Connect with Alex Chunet on LinkedIn
Session 3:
23.4.2025 at 14:15–15:30
Pierre Jallow, Remode – Entering Africa’s Markets: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies for Success
Pierre Jallow is a market-entry and fundraising expert currently leading Remode's efforts in helping companies enter and scale in Africa.
With extensive experience in project management, private equity, venture capital, and EU-related initiatives, Pierre specializes in designing and executing market-entry strategies that drive sustainable growth. His expertise spans fundraising for scaleups, private equity firms, and venture capital companies, ensuring businesses have the financial backing needed to thrive in new markets. Pierre has a proven track record of leading impactful projects in health & wellbeing, cultural competence, and business development, reinforcing his strategic approach to expansion.
Through his work at Remode, he is committed to creating tailored solutions that enable businesses to navigate the complexities of African markets, fostering long-term success and meaningful impact.
- Connect with Pierre Jallow on LinkedIn
- Remode website: remodeme.com
Session 4:
14.5.2025 at 14:15–15:30
Takura Matswetu, Business Helsinki – Situational Awareness and Practicalities of Doing Business in Africa
Takura Matswetuis the Head of International Talent & Softlanding team at the Migration Affairs Unit of Business Helsinki. In his work, Takura is dealing with work based migration, community advocacy and knowledge management. Takura is part of the Nordic Migrant Expert Forum for the Nordic Council of Ministers and a member of the Think Africa network. Think Africa is a community-driven, non-profit, organization promoting participation, representation, diversity and collaboration between the African diaspora and the Finnish society through events, projects and programs.
- Connect with Takura Matswetu on LinkedIn
- Nordic Migrant Expert Forum Website: https://pub.norden.org/us2022-423/#
- Think Africa Website: www.thinkafrica.fi
Kiira Kärkkäinen, Business Finland – Developing Markets Platform: Towards sustainable and competitive innovations with a complementary funding model
Kiira Kärkkäinen is the Head of Developing Markets Platform at Business Finland with focus on funding for innovative and sustainable business in developing markets. Developing Markets Platform helps Finnish companies and their partners develop innovative and competitive business for sustainable opportunities in developing markets – such as in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Southeast Europe. Overall, Kiira has over 15 years of versatile experience from the government, international business and various international organisations.
Session 5:
21.5.2025 at 14:15–15:30
Ephraim Danford, Techno Environment Investment Company – Smart Cities from the Sky: How Geospatial Data & Drones Are Redefining Urban Development in Africa
Ephraim Danford is the CEO and Founder of Techno Environment Investment and the Chairperson of the Tanzania Drone Association. He has a bachelor's degree in Geography and Environmental Science, as well as a master's degree in GIS & Remote Sensing, Data Science & Machine Learning from MIT. Ephraim is also a certified drone pilot and instructor under the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority and in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Management from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
As Chairperson of the Tanzania Drone Association, Ephraim is dedicated to strengthening drone operations and fostering a supportive business environment for the industry in Tanzania. With a community of over 250 drone pilots, he advocates for utilizing drone technology to enhance economic growth and innovation across the country.
- Connect with Ephraim Danford on LinkedIn
- Techno Environment Investment website: technoenvironment.com
Tuomo Kauranne, Arbonaut – African market as a success story for Arbonaut: Lessons from projects in ten African countries
Dr. Tuomo Kauranne is the founder and CEO of Arbonaut Ltd., a Finnish forest technology company that conducts forest inventory and forest information management projects based on remote sensing data in 40 countries on six continents. Tuomo holds a PhD in Mathematics from LUT and an honorary doctorate in Forestry from UEF.
- Follow Arbonaut on LinkedIn
- Arbonaut website: www.arbonaut.com
Join us to explore how your expertise can align with local needs, unlocking growth while driving sustainable innovation!
Register here to join the webinars.
