State of the Map Africa 2019/Call for venues/Banjul

Welcome to the bid proposal page to host State of the Map Africa 2019 in Banjul, The Gambia. The Gambia YMCAs Computer Training Centre OpenSteetMaps (OpenStreetMaps The Gambia) Team is collecting their information here.

SotM Africa 2019 - OpenStreetMaps The Gambia vision

State of the Map - Exampleton will celebrate the best aspects of OpenStreetMap, past, present and future.

Why The Gambia?

The country major hotels are uniquely positioned on the coastline and it has great accessibility through the Rover Gambia all year round. The country which just ushered in a new democratic government on the 19th of January 2017 with the slogan “The Gambia is open for Business”, It has already started attracting major conferences, with the Organization of Islamic Countries conference slated for December 2019. The Local host The Gambia YMCAs Computer Training Centre and Digital Studio has great working and collaborating relationship with the Ministry of Information Communication and Infrastructure, who’s Minister will officially open the conference. It has a lot of collaborative relationship with all the major hotels, youth organizations, the University of the Gambia, as a leading centre and NGO for youth empowerment through ICT including the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The centre is known locally to host and organize Youth related ICT events and host the secretariat of the Information Technology Association of the Gambia. The centre is a big player in promoting girls in ICT with 90% of the centre personnel as women, who play leading management roles in organizing events.

The Gambia is also uniquely poised as a conference destination based on its friendly customer service, peaceful nature, where visitors feel safe at anytime of the day, and its unique hotels with affordable prices. Its local Internet Service Providers and TElcos have made sure all major hotels have reliable and efficient Bandwidth for Internet Access.

Who is the SotM Africa Gambia Team?[edit | edit source]

The Gambia Bid team is composed of Computer Scientist and ICT Experts from Banjul, The Gambia working at the Gambia YMCA Computer Training Centre and Digital Studio. The centre is involved in various ICT research and related work with the Freedom Online Coalition www.freedomonlinecoalition.com work Group 3 on Transparency and Privacy online and also the Open Data Charter www.opendatacharter.net. The centre also runs the Google Developers Group and carries out numerous outreach programs for young people interested in programming at our centre.

Our Team Members are:

•              Poncelet O. Ileleji

•              Anna Anet Sambou

When?

We propose the second weekend of May 2019, as the recommended date for State of the Map. Our bid includes a quotation for the recommended venue on that weekend. We can consider alternative dates.

Where?

The Smiling Coast of Africa as commonly referred to The Gambia is famous for its hospitality which makes it an ideal choice for seeking suitable venues with a flair for the exotic. Many of the hotels offer meeting facilities, all with the bonus of a tropical beach location for after-business relaxation.Our bid includes a firm quotation for our recommended tropical venue, on the recommended dates. Catering services are by the hotel and we have provided the quotes

Proposed Venue: Kairaba Hotel - http://kairabahotel.com/

A large conference room that can be divided into two facilities to sit 500 or more approximate size of 1500 persons for opening ceremony as one hall.

Small conference rooms 4 in number ranging to sit 100 to 150 persons in number including secretariat space.

Translator Services available, prices can be negotiated.  

The Gambia annually Hosts the African Commission for Human Rights and this hotel is used.

link  http://www.achpr.org/  the commissions office is located in Gambia based on the Human Rights record of the first President of The Gambia Sir Dawda Jawara.

Transportation

The transportation system in The Gambia mixes both public and private operations and consists of a system of roads (both paved and unpaved), water and air transportation. Tourist Taxis (green) are parked in the main hotel areas. They charge for waiting time and this should be negotiated, prior to your journey. There are no railways in the country.

Car Rental

The car rentals sector is not very well developed. You can pick up a vehicle at Banjul International Airport’s front booths or in the coastal resorts, but elsewhere in the country the possibilities of getting one are basically slim to none. Daily rates including insurance and mileage can be pretty steep, and for a 4WD can go through the roof.

There are now a few car rental firms operating in The Gambia, like AB Gambia Car Rental, AVIS, Hertz and Afriq Cars. Your hotels’ receptionists can best advise you where to look for the most convenient car to hire from.

Alternatively you can hire a taxi on a daily basis as it simpler and cheaper. However low the prices, don’t get into a vehicle that’s not roadworthy, has an impatient driver or someone you cannot communicate easily with. Finally, ask politely to see his or her driver’s license is up to date, the seat belt is working properly, and the lights and signals are in good working order.

International Travel Requirements and Advice

Banjul International Airport

Banjul  International  Airport also  known  as Yundum

International (IATA: BJL) is the international airport of Banjul, capital of the Gambia, and the only paved airport of the country. The airport is located in Yundum about 24km from Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other nations with a reciprocal visa abolition agreement with The Gambia do not require a visa to enter the country, whether on holiday or on a business trip not exceeding 90 days. All other nationalities should possess a visa, which is available from any of the Gambian embassies and consulates: London, Paris, Washington DC, Brussels, Taipei, Rabat, Jeddah, Havana, Dakar, Lagos, Freetown and Guinea Bissau. Citizens from France, Portugal, Switzerland Ukraine, Czech Republic, Belgium, Poland and Russia are exempted from visa from October to April.

Tourists and others travelling on last minute bookings will be allowed entry but will be required to submit their passport to the Department of Immigration in Banjul within 48 hours to be issued a proper visa.

Health Requirements

An International Certificate of Vaccination is no longer compulsory for visitors to The Gambia. However, a yellow fever vaccination will be required for visitors from Europe and North America. The last outbreak of yellow fever in The Gambia was in 1978 and there is no immediate danger to visitors. Anti-malaria medicine is however recommended and visitors should consult their doctors on which pills to take. Visitors are also advised to bring along insect repellents, sun screen, anti-fungal creams and disinfectant as they may prove expensive or unobtainable in certain parts of the country. There are several hospitals and clinics operated by the Government as well as by private practitioners which provide both therapeutic and preventative healthcare.

Travel Insurance

Visitors are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering the following:

• Injury                                                     • Death                                     • Illness

• Personal belongings                      • Baggage damage/loss or delay

Duty Free

For further information on duty free restrictions, please contact the Director General of Customs and Excise in Banjul. website: http://www.gra.gm

By Air

There are a number of tour operator chartered flights to The Gambia. Most of these operate only in the winter months (November to April). Some charters operate throughout the year, as do some scheduled airlines serving Banjul International Airport.

From the USA

Brussels Airline, Royal air Maroc connecting flights available from Europe

From the UK

Thomas Cook, Gambia Experience, Royal Air Marco

From Morocco

Royal Air Maroc.

From Scandinavia

Thomas Cook Scandinavia, Brussels Airline

From Belgium

Brussels Airline, TUI- Belguim

From Holland

TUI Holland (Arke fly), Travelpoort, Corendon

From Spain

Vueling, Binter Canaries, Royal Air Marco

From Germany

Brussels Airline and Vueling, connecting flights available from other European Countries

From the United States

Connecting flights available from Europe.

From the West African sub-region

Fly Mid Africa, Asky and Royal Air Maroc.

By Sea

Banjul has a deep- sea port, which receives several cruise ships all year round.

Container ships and other freighters call into Banjul Port from all over the world.

By Road

There is a road link between Dakar and Banjul; the journey takes between five and six hours. There is also a road link with Ziguinchor, in Southern Senegal, and Bissau. A four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended for these journeys.

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