When Abigael Kagema graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in June 2025, she carried with her more than just a degree in Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems, she carried a dream. A dream to harness the power of spatial intelligence to solve real-world challenges. Her academic foundation in remote sensing, spatial data analysis, and GIS-based modeling had prepared her technically, but she wanted more – real impact. That search led her straight to Esri Eastern Africa.

For Abigael, Esri Eastern Africa stood out as the intersection of innovation and purpose. “The company’s ecosystem approach that connects ArcGIS Pro, Dashboards, StoryMaps, and Survey123 to create integrated solutions really impressed me,” she recalls. “I wanted to be part of a team driving such transformative projects.”

Her internship experience unfolded in three exciting phases. From mastering ArcGIS workbooks to building GeoAI models and visualizing results through dashboards and StoryMaps, every step was a new challenge and discovery. “There were moments when my models refused to work, and I felt hopeless,” she admits with a laugh. “But after some tea and a reset, I realized that sometimes the best debugging tool is taking a break.” That resilience would soon become her defining strength.

Abigael’s journey was marked by growth, both technical and personal. She sharpened her Python and machine learning skills, learned how to communicate her ideas confidently, and discovered the power of collaboration. Guided by mentors like Sydney Simiyu, Matthew Mbiu, and Margaret Sarah, she found not only technical direction but also the encouragement to think bigger. “The Esri EA culture is friendly, collaborative, and results-oriented. Everyone is willing to share knowledge and help you grow,” she says.

Her proudest moment came during the dry run before the final presentations. The positive feedback she received made every late night and challenging model worthwhile. “It was the moment I realized that all the effort had paid off,” she reflects.

Looking ahead, Abigael plans to deepen her expertise in GIS development and machine learning while working on impactful projects that use geospatial intelligence to drive sustainable decisions. And would she consider a full-time role at Esri Eastern Africa? “Absolutely,” she says without hesitation. “It’s a place that values both innovation and personal growth.”

When asked to summarize her experience in one word, Abigael doesn’t hesitate: “Transformative.”
Her story is a testament to what happens when passion meets opportunity, and how Esri Eastern Africa continues to shape the next generation of geospatial innovators.

Interested in joining our next internship cohort? Submit your CV to career@esriea.com and take the first step toward an exciting geospatial career with Esri Eastern Africa.