Everton Namasake – Acting Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)  

Everton Namasake has been promoted to the position of Acting Chief Commercial Officer effective 1st Jan 2026. Everton is a seasoned GIS professional with over 16 years’ experience which has largely been served in Esri EA in various business development capacities. His last role was Enterprise Sales Manager where he led the regional Enterprise sales teams. In his new Ag. CCO role, Everton is responsible for driving Esri Eastern Africa’s commercial strategy and leading revenue-generating functions across the organization and region.  

Sidney Nyongesa – Acting Chief Technology Office (CTO)  

Sidney Nyongesa has been promoted to the position of Acting Chief Technology Officer effective 1st June 2025. Sidney has over 10 years’ experience in various technical GIS roles and has served Esri EA for over 5 years. His last role was Solutions Manager where he led the regional Pre-sales solution engineers. Sidney has been in charge of the organization’s technology strategy, solution innovation, and technical delivery across the region since he took up the role.  

These changes are designed to enhance our service offering particularly in the development, implementation and utilization of value adding ArcGIS solutions that make our customers and partners successful.    

We are confident that their contributions will help steer the company to greater success. 

About Esri Eastern Africa  
Esri Eastern Africa is a leading provider of GIS solutions, enabling organizations to harness the power of spatial data for better decision-making and problem-solving. As an official distributor of Esri technology, the company offers software, training, and consulting services across Eastern Africa.    

Media Contact:  

Victor Mutua   

Marketing and Communications    
Email: vmutua@esriea.com   

Mobile: (254) 722 521 341     

Read more:https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/

A Bold Strategic Framework

Vision 2050 reaffirms RCMRD’s core mandate which is to provide surveying, mapping, remote sensing, GIS, and GPS services to 20 contracting and several non‑contracting member countries rcmrd.org. But beyond continuity, the strategy sets five ambitious “Aspirations” to meet Africa’s evolving development challenges:

1. Growth & Expansion – Boost financial independence, finalize a modern Business Park complex, expand the Regional Centre Training Institute (RCTI), and establish satellite campuses rcmrd.org.
2. Urban & Infrastructure Planning – Provide cutting‑edge GIS solutions for sustainable cities, infrastructure, and urban transport across member states rcmrd.org.
3. Land Administration & Earth Observation – Enhance capabilities in land cover monitoring and mapping to support efficient land governance rcmrd.org.
4. Disaster Management & Climate Services – Strengthen meteorological, climate resilience, and early‑warning systems for natural hazards .
5. Agriculture, Food Security & Poverty Reduction – Deploy geospatial tools in precision farming to raise crop yields, fight hunger, and reduce poverty rcmrd.org.

Technological Leap into the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Central to Vision 2050 is the rapid adoption of 4IR technologies namely; cloud computing, AI, drones, LiDAR, Internet of Things, and edge computing with a goal to create a one‑stop geospatial solutions hub. The plan includes the acquisition of UAVs, a helicopter, autonomous vehicles, and even a hydrographic survey vessel for coastal and inland water assessments rcmrd.org.

Institutional Strengthening

RCMRD intends to significantly expand its training arm by scaling up RCTI to serve over 6,500 students by 2035, designing new curricula in partnership with regional TVETs, and launching a professional geomatics certification to standardize skills across Africa. The Centre also plans to improve governance, diversify revenue streams, and deepen its membership to include Francophone and Central African nations.

Regional Impact Anchored in Global Agendas

Vision 2050 aligns with international commitments such as the UN’s Agenda 2030, AU’s Agenda 2063, and regional visions like EAC Vision 2050, SADC Vision 2050, COMESA, and IGAD integration plans rcmrd.org. By empowering member states with advanced geospatial intelligence, RCMRD aims to accelerate infrastructure development, urban resilience, environmental stewardship, food security, and disaster preparedness.

Looking Ahead

Announcing Vision 2050 last month during a high‑level stakeholder forum, the Centre emphasized collaborative R&D, strong partner engagement, including civil aviation regulators, maritime agencies, universities, and robust governance. An evaluation mechanism will review progress every four years to keep the strategy adaptive and transparent.

As RCMRD celebrates its golden anniversary, Vision 2050 sets a transformative course: evolving from a regional support agency into a self‑sustaining engine of innovation, equipping Africa to thrive in a rapidly changing geospatial and global landscape.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Founded: 1975 under UN/ECA and OAU
• Mandate: Provide geo‑information services across 20+ African countries
• Vision 2050 Pillars: Growth, Urban Planning, Land Management, Disaster/Climate, Agriculture
• Technological Enablers: 4IR adoption, UAVs, AI, cloud, LiDAR
• Capacity Building: Expand training to 6,500+ students; launch professional certification
• Governance: Review cycles, member expansion, financial diversification

This strategic roadmap marks a pivotal moment as RCMRD charts a decisive path into the next 25 years of Africa’s geospatial development.

See full Story Map here

Curious about everything included in this release? Head over to the What’s New in ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 blog for a full overview.

Let’s dive into what’s new in ArcGIS StoryMaps for ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5.

Mapping Enhancements

Categorized Map Tours

Remember the classic Story Map Shortlist? It’s back in a new form — say hello to Categorized Map Tours!

This feature lets you organize locations into categories like “historical sites,” “restaurants,” or “trails.” Readers can filter and explore places with ease, enhancing personalization and interactivity.

How to get started:

1. Add a Map Tour block in your story.
2. Choose Start with a feature service — required for categorization.
3. After linking your feature layer, select the Categorized layout in the Explorer options.

From there, you can:

• Add a title and description
• Customize data, symbols, categories, and image placement
• Filter and sort locations

Preserve Map Extent or Scale

Need more control over how your maps appear on different screens? You can now preserve the map’s extent or scale, ensuring your symbology and details display consistently.

Find this option in the story builder under:
Map view > Adjust map appearance

Choosing between extent or scale is especially useful for:

• Optimizing viewing on mobile/tablets
• Managing scale-dependent layers
• Enhancing storytelling accuracy

Data Visualization Upgrades

Interactive Charts

Bring your data to life with interactive charts — now available in stories and briefings.

Choose from:

• Column
• Bar
• Donut
• Line

Customize titles, labels, and data directly in the builder. You can even switch chart types without losing your data. Charts inherit your story’s theme colors (except for donut charts, which use a default palette).

Add charts from:

• The Data Visualization section
• The Sidecar media options

Image Enhancements

Captions in Briefings

Now you can add captions to images in briefings—just like in stories. Select an image, click Options, and enter a caption (up to four lines shown by default; full text visible when expanded).

Image Gallery Captions

Captions can also be added to individual images within galleries. Just hover over the image and select Options > Caption. Keep captions to 100–150 characters for the best display experience.

Theme Customization

Adjust Font Size

Make your story more accessible or visually appealing by adjusting overall font size. Use the new Typography slider in the Theme Builder to choose from five size presets — all responsive to screen size.

Shared Themes

Organization admins can now define a Shared Theme, including colors, buttons, and logos. When creating a story, the shared theme appears as the first option in the theme builder, making brand consistency easier than ever.

Need tweaks? Use the Custom color option to fine-tune.

Header & Navigation Customization

The theme builder now offers enhanced control over header design:

• Choose from suggested and custom colors
• Navigation bars now reflect your theme colors (no more mismatched blues!)

Block Spacing Options

Select Spacious or Compact spacing for content blocks — a subtle but powerful layout control.

Button Text Color

Customize button text color manually with a contrast checker to maintain accessibility. Previously, this was determined automatically based on background color.

Briefings Improvements

New Cover Layouts

Briefings now offer more creative control:

• Full Cover: Add a striking image or video.
• Side-by-Side: Adjust panel size to better balance text and media.

Use Change panel appearance to modify style, size, and positioning.

Presentation Mode

Presenting your briefing is now even easier. After publishing:

• View the Table of Contents
• Use navigation arrows and slide numbers
• Toggle Presentation Mode (or use Command-Return / Ctrl-Enter)

Explore how others use this: South Carolina National Guard’s GIS Briefings.

Other Notable Enhancements

• A consistent keyboard focus indicator improves accessibility
• Categorized map tours and some templates remain in beta (admin activation required)
• Classification banners can now be added to indicate data sensitivity

For a complete breakdown of features and fixes, check out the official What’s New in ArcGIS StoryMaps on ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 documentation.

Disclaimer: This article is adapted from content originally written by Andria Olson. You can read the original post here: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/story-maps/announcements/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-5

With a distinguished background in leadership, technology, and geospatial solutions, Samuel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held key strategic positions across the industry. His extensive expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and passion for digital transformation align seamlessly with Esri Eastern Africa’s mission to deliver innovative spatial solutions that drive efficiency and progress across the region. 

As CEO, Samuel will lead Esri Eastern Africa’s growth strategy, foster strategic partnerships, and enhance customer-centric geospatial solutions. His leadership will empower businesses, governments, and organizations to make informed, data-driven decisions that address critical challenges and unlock new opportunities. 

“We are excited to welcome Samuel Kimani as our CEO,” said Bob Driessnack, Chairman of the Board at Esri Eastern Africa. “His leadership and vision will be instrumental in advancing our mission of leveraging GIS technology to solve complex challenges and create sustainable impact.” 

Samuel shared his excitement about the appointment, saying, “I am deeply honoured to lead Esri Eastern Africa during this transformative era. GIS is a catalyst for change, and I am eager to collaborate with our exceptional team to drive innovation, elevate customer success, and expand the influence of geospatial technology across the region.” 

Esri Eastern Africa remains dedicated to providing world-class GIS solutions and services, supporting industries such as urban planning, natural resource management, disaster response, and infrastructure development. Under Samuel’s leadership, the organization is poised to strengthen its commitment to empowering communities and organizations with the tools they need to build a smarter, more sustainable future. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Victor Mutua 
Marketing and Communications  
Email: vmutua@esriea.com 
Mobile: (254) 722 521 341

About Esri Eastern Africa 

Esri Eastern Africa is a leading provider of GIS solutions, enabling organizations to harness the power of spatial data for better decision-making and problem-solving. As an official distributor of Esri technology, the company offers software, training, and consulting services across Eastern Africa. To learn more visit www.esriea.com

Day 1: Training and Preparations

The hackathon began with expert-led training sessions. Christine Chege, Esri Eastern Africa’s Solutions Engineer, introduced participants to ArcGIS Online and developer tools, including APIs for Python and JavaScript, SDKs for native apps, and automation workflows. Emphasizing hands-on learning, participants explored data integration, tabular data workflows, and resources like the Living Atlas. These tools prepared participants to tackle challenges with geospatial insights and innovation.

Day 2: Development and Collaboration

Day 2 launched with an opening address by Dr. Ronoh, PS Agriculture, and a keynote from Brigadier Kipkoskey, KSA Director General. Panels featuring experts like Louis Njoroge (Satellite Engineering) and Fridah Cherotich (ILRI) explored topics ranging from earth observation to sustainable development.

Participants began working on solutions for challenges like “Leveraging Earth Observation for Agriculture” and “SDGs in the Classroom.” Esri EA provided ArcGIS licenses and on-ground mentorship to support the teams. By the end of the day, submissions were verified for alignment with the hackathon criteria: influence, creativity, validity, relevance, and presentation.

Day 3: Final Submissions and Judging

On the final day, participants polished their projects and presented them to a six-judge panel, including experts from Esri EA, ILRI, NASA Space Apps, and others.

• Winning Projects included:
  • Orbital Oracle: A 3D visualization tool to monitor space debris and prevent collisions in Earth’s orbit.
  • RNexus (Eco-Quest): An educational game for young students, promoting climate change awareness through story-driven challenges.
  • Cyber Morans: A platform leveraging satellite imagery for marine monitoring, combating piracy, illegal fishing, and habitat encroachment.

Each solution demonstrated creativity, real-world applicability, and the potential for global impact.

Awards and Recognition

The winners were awarded certificates, gift hampers, and free application hosting, courtesy of Esri EA and NASA. The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks, recognizing the participants, mentors, and sponsors who made the hackathon a success.

As the challenge concluded, the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge reaffirmed the transformative power of collaboration and open data in addressing critical challenges on Earth and beyond.

Esri’s ArcGIS platform provides robust geospatial tools for mapping, analyzing, and managing geographic information. Esri and Autodesk continue to advance GIS and BIM workflows, fostering seamless collaboration between ArcGIS and Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Related: What’s New in ArcGIS Drone2Map 2024.2

Release Highlights

Improved Folder Selection for Autodesk Project Data

The latest ArcGIS GeoBIM update on ArcGIS Online introduces the Folder Selection feature. This enhancement allows users to select specific Autodesk project folders for their GeoBIM workflows. By focusing on relevant project data, users can reduce clutter, speed up processing, and gain greater control over their datasets.

With a new button in the Tools pane, users can easily add or exclude folders to keep their BIM data organized at its source while accessing it through the GeoBIM interface.

Related: What’s New in ArcGIS Drone2Map 2024.2

Discover More

Webinar: Advancing Infrastructure with BIM and GIS

Join Esri and Autodesk on December 3rd for a webinar focused on transforming infrastructure projects using BIM and GIS. Attendees will explore how integrated workflows enhance transportation projects and discover best practices for digital delivery.

Case Study: Central San’s GeoBIM Integration

At this year’s Esri User Conference, California’s Central Contra Costa Sanitary District shared how they use ArcGIS GeoBIM to integrate Autodesk CAD and BIM data for improved collaboration between engineering and operations.

Enhancing Autodesk Workflows

ArcGIS offers tools that integrate geospatial data with design and construction processes, streamlining workflows for civil engineers, CAD technicians, and project managers.

FedRAMP Authorization

Esri’s ArcGIS Online achieved FedRAMP Moderate authorization, meeting stringent security standards to safeguard sensitive data.

Start Exploring ArcGIS GeoBIM

Dive into GeoBIM through resources like tutorials, videos, and guides. If you’re new to ArcGIS, get started today to unlock the benefits of GIS and BIM collaboration.

This article was originally written by Geoff Cook.

Related: What’s New in ArcGIS Maritime – November 2024

Font Options

Dashboard authors can now select custom fonts to enhance the visual appeal and readability of their dashboards.

In the Custom Theme configuration, navigate to the Typography section to choose a font from the drop-down menu. Your selection will apply to dashboard areas like headings, titles, and labels, helping align your design with theme colors and spacing.

New Map Tools

The update introduces a refreshed user experience and new measurement tools for maps.

• Simplified Design: Map tools now feature a compact, collapsible layout to maximize map visibility, especially useful for mobile and desktop views.

• Measurement Tools: A new Measure Tool allows users to calculate distances and areas in both 2D and 3D environments, providing precise spatial analysis for better decision-making.

Date Axis Guides in Serial Charts

When using Parse Dates in Serial Charts, you can now add Date Axis Guides. These guides highlight a single date or a range of dates, offering additional context for data visualization.

Related: What’s New in ArcGIS Drone2Map 2024.2

3D Improvements

Dashboards now support map extent filters for web scenes. Changes to a web scene’s extent can dynamically filter dashboard elements or adjust the extent of other map components, enabling seamless integration between 3D and dashboard data.

Accessibility Enhancements

Esri continues to improve A11Y (Accessibility) features, such as better Screen Reader support and Keyboard Navigation, ensuring dashboards are accessible to a broader audience.

These updates enhance the usability and functionality of ArcGIS Dashboards, helping users create more visually appealing and context-rich dashboards.

This article was originally written by Martin Copping.

Day 1: Esri’s Lightning Talk Sparks Interest

The event began on Friday, September 6, with a series of presentations and workshops. Esri’s Matthew Pennells delivered a lightning talk titled “Discover OSM with Free GIS Tools in Africa GeoPortal.” This presentation focused on the range of free tools available in the Africa GeoPortal, showing how these resources can be used to unlock the potential of OSM data for impactful geospatial analysis. The talk resonated with attendees, demonstrating Esri’s commitment to accessible GIS solutions and its practical applications in the African context.

Day 2: Hands-On Workshop Engages Attendees

On Saturday, September 7, Esri continued its engagement by hosting a one-hour workshop, “Get Hands-On with Free OSM Data through Africa GeoPortal and ArcGIS.” The session provided participants with practical guidance on accessing and utilizing OSM data within the Africa GeoPortal and ArcGIS platforms. Attendees explored 2D and 3D Basemaps and learned to integrate OSM data into ArcGIS for advanced spatial analysis. The workshop was highly appreciated, offering hands-on skills that participants could apply to their own geospatial projects.

Day 3: Ongoing Contributions and Collaboration

While Esri’s main contributions took place over the first two days, their presence throughout the entire event underscored their commitment to the OSM community. The final day saw continued collaboration among participants, and Esri’s participation highlighted their role in providing free and accessible GIS resources.

Esri’s involvement in SotM 2024 demonstrated their dedication to supporting the global OSM community and their focus on equipping users with the tools they need for impactful geospatial work.

For more information, visit Esri and Esri Eastern Africa

Related: Empowering Communities Through GIS #RIC2023

Day 1: Exploring Earth Observation for Risk Reduction

On the opening day, Esri Inc. participated in a technical session titled “EO for Risk Reduction,” led by Olivier Cottray, Director of Humanitarian Solutions at Esri Inc., and Lorein Innes, Esri Inc.’s Business Development Manager for Africa. The session focused on how Earth Observation (EO) technologies, integrated with GIS, can mitigate risks in humanitarian contexts. Esri showcased tools designed for disaster risk management, emphasizing the critical role of EO data in building resilience in vulnerable communities.

Day 2: Linking Science and Policy for Environmental Management

On the second day, Lorein Innes delivered a keynote address during the plenary session, which centered on the theme “Our Home: Policy Formulation and Science Policy Linkages.” Innes emphasized the importance of merging scientific research with policy-making to address global environmental issues. She explained how GIS facilitates evidence-based decision-making, helping policymakers design strategies grounded in spatial data and research to tackle environmental challenges.

Day 3: Leveraging GIS for Biodiversity and Blue Economy

The third day featured David Gadsden, Director of Conservation Solutions at Esri USA, presenting during a session on “Biodiversity and Blue Economy.” Gadsden highlighted how GIS plays a crucial role in the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. He demonstrated how geospatial technology helps monitor and manage protected areas, showing real-world examples where GIS tools have been key to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices in the blue economy.

Day 4: Addressing Africa’s Water Challenges with GIS

Esri’s participation on the final day included a session titled “Too Much or Too Little: Geospatial Infrastructure, Technology, and Data as an Enabler to Support Africa’s Water Challenge,” featuring Ms. Lorein Innes. She discussed how GIS can help manage both water scarcity and flooding across Africa. Innes illustrated how spatial analysis and geospatial infrastructure can provide data-driven solutions for sustainable water resource management, helping governments plan and manage infrastructure more effectively.

Esri’s Commitment to Sustainability

Throughout the RIC 2024 conference, Esri demonstrated its dedication to leveraging GIS for sustainable development. By showcasing the practical applications of geospatial technology in risk management, policy planning, conservation, and water resource management, Esri reinforced its role as a leader in using GIS to foster a more resilient and sustainable future. Through its contributions, Esri highlighted how GIS can be a powerful tool in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing East Africa and the world.

Visit our website today to discover the power of GIS in shaping a more resilient future! https://www.esriea.com/

Accelerating Economic Growth through Sustainable Investments

The primary objective of KAIICO 2024 was to accelerate economic growth in Kakamega and beyond through sustainable investments. The conference provided a platform for knowledge sharing, showcasing best practices, and exchanging experiences related to investment in sustainable projects aimed at creating wealth and improving livelihoods.

The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including foreign and local investment networks, angel investors, venture capitalists, corporations, and development partners. The collaborative atmosphere fostered meaningful discussions and the forging of new partnerships, setting the stage for future investments that will drive economic growth and development in the region.

Esri Eastern Africa’s Participation

Esri Eastern Africa was proud to participate in the 1st Kakamega International Investment Conference. With a dedicated booth, we exhibited our cutting-edge GIS products and solutions, highlighting the transformative potential of geospatial technology in driving sustainable development. Attendees had the opportunity to explore our innovative tools and learn how GIS can be leveraged to enhance investment strategies and optimize project implementation.

A Successful Launch

The inaugural KAIICO 2024 was a resounding success, effectively positioning Kakamega County as a new frontier for investment and development. The conference not only showcased the county’s potential but also demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation in achieving sustainable economic growth. As the event concluded, participants left with valuable insights, new connections, and a shared commitment to driving sustainable development in Kakamega and beyond.

Looking Forward

KAIICO 2024 set a high standard for future investment conferences in the region. The event underscored the importance of sustainable investments and the critical role that counties can play in national development. With the success of the inaugural conference, Kakamega County is poised to attract more investors and development partners, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.

For more information and updates, follow the conversation at #KAIICO2024.