Media Centre
Global MapAid Expands to Southern Africa with AI Well-Drilling Model to Tackle Super El Niño Drought
Global MapAid Launches Southern Africa Expansion to Combat Impending Super El Niño Drought with 9-meter band median average accuracy AI Well-Drilling Model LONDON, UK — June In response to meteorological […]
Global “MapAid” Unveils Groundbreaking AI: Converting Water Drilling Failure into Life-Saving Success
LONDON, UK — December WellMapr, the pioneering geospatial AI system developed by the non-profit Global MapAid (founded at Stanford University), announces today a major Christmas fundraising appeal for a Patron […]
An Overview for Philanthropists of an AI System to help Small Farmers: WellMapr™ / MODL
Vision & Method The vision of this initiative is to deliver more food, clean drinking water, and sustainable irrigation to smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The core method relies on an […]
Frequently Asked Questions about GlobalMapAid
1. What is MapAid?
MapAid is a UK-based charity that combines AI technology and local knowledge to map solutions to poverty. Our flagship innovation, WellMapr™, helps identify where groundwater is most likely to be found, reducing the risk of failed wells and improving water access for
smallholder farmers. We also have a vision to build Sustainable Knowledge Centres or SKCs, to listen hard to small farmers and work with them to supply digestible knowledge to improve their lives. Water knowledge is at the heart of this.
2. Why focus on water?
Access to water is the foundation of survival and prosperity. In parts of Ethiopia, up to 70% of wells fail, costing as much as $200,000 per failed well. That’s not just wasted money—it’s lost time, lost harvests, and lost hope. By making well-drilling smarter, MapAid helps communities save resources, secure food, and build resilience.
3. What is WellMapr™ and how does it work?
WellMapr™ is an AI-powered mapping tool, created by Global MapAid, that analyses existing borehole, climate, soil, and geological data to predict the most likely locations of shallow groundwater. The results are presented on easy-to-use maps, available on desktop and mobile, so local authorities and communities can make better drilling decisions.
4. Where is WellMapr™ being used?
Our initial Phase 1 testing is taking place in Sidama, Gamo, and Gofa zones in Ethiopia. These regions face high well-failure rates and an urgent need for reliable water access. The long-term vision is to expand WellMapr™ across Africa and eventually to other water-scarce regions worldwide.
6. How are you funded?
MapAid is funded through donations, grants, and partnerships. We are currently raising £81,000 for Phase 1 field testing of WellMapr™ in Ethiopia. Every contribution goes directly toward making water access more reliable and sustainable for smallholder farmers.
7. How can people support MapAid?
● Donate to our ongoing campaign
● Partner with us as a corporate sponsor or collaborator
● Share our story on social media to spread awareness
8. What is your long-term vision?
Our vision is a world where no family has to dig blindly for water. By scaling WellMapr™ and similar tools, we aim to support millions of smallholder farmers globally, building stronger communities and more climate-resilient food system.
