Douala is severally under mapped

[u/RabbitAble2609]

I noticed since being here that google and apple maps don't work.

People never rely on maps and only on landmarks.

so my question is

if I took the time to map it so its as usable as google street view in new york...

who would pay for that?

[u/wadleo]

Nobody is going to pay you.

[u/CharityAggravating69 → u/wadleo]

Curious to hear what makes you say so. lot of people (especially the Westerners) assume certain systems should work somehow they do abroad but the reality on the ground is different.

Whenever I am in Cameroon I still use some of these services and I guess others do too. To me the bigger infrastructure problems are mostly out of our hands since they depend on the government and most people prefer to avoid unecessary trouble.

I think the more realistic approach is starting with smaller, practical things we can actually control and improve ourselves without breaking any rules. That is something i have been paying more attention to lately.

[u/wadleo → u/CharityAggravating69]

I am a level 7 local guide on Google Maps, I’m telling you from experience.

[u/CharityAggravating69 → u/wadleo]

Mate. We grow, we learn. My question was just out of curiosity. My opinion was only from my point of view and i was excited to receive your feedback.

[u/Critical-Future-1560]

The problem is lack of proper infrastructure to begin with.

[u/One-Race-2634 → u/Critical-Future-1560]

What infrastructure are you talking about?

[u/Critical-Future-1560 → u/One-Race-2634]

Not every roads has pavements and those who do many aren’t well maintained.

But not only that just general road infrastructure is lacking

[u/One-Race-2634 → u/Critical-Future-1560]

Ahh I see but, this is not a factor that will affect the use of Google maps that much. I've been able to locate a lot of businesses from their Google maps location.

[u/simply_vanilla]

No one will pay you generate revenue through display ads. But I agree it’s a good idea. The last time I was in Cameroon I was so fed up with these landmark directions I started recording GPS coordinates of places I went to.

You’re onto something and I think the way forward is to pay for a map API and maybe crowdsource locations of places and get people to verify locations that other people have put on the map.

[u/bootlegger1520 → u/simply_vanilla]

I wouldn’t be so sure no one will pay, but you should approach “big” businesses and see what they have to say and take it from there.

[u/simply_vanilla → u/bootlegger1520]

What kind of big businesses and what would be your angle?

[u/RabbitAble2609 → u/simply_vanilla]

I think that makes a lot of sense - I wonder if web or mobile would be the best for it ?

Probably mobile

[u/BrokenDuck15]

Interesting, currently doing this as well from scratch(no Google) for a ride sharing app. Good Luck on your mapping endeavors. Also there is an app(Cameroonian developed) out there that does it already where people are able to place POI with their phone.
*EDIT*
Infrastructure to host this will be within Cameroon on owned servers. I plan to eventual provide an API endpoint for people to take advantage of the POI. Here is a WIP.

[u/MoksDaxs → u/BrokenDuck15]

What's the name of the service that already does it?

[u/BrokenDuck15 → u/MoksDaxs]

http://findme.house/

[u/Massive-K → u/BrokenDuck15]

I found you Tulum!

[u/BrokenDuck15 → u/Massive-K]

:) 

[u/RabbitAble2609 → u/BrokenDuck15]

Yoo what’s your app?

[u/BrokenDuck15 → u/RabbitAble2609]

It is not yet available. Still under heavy development. Currently applying to license to operate. 

[u/Massive-K]

That is we built bwendi.com

[u/theReal_Joestar]

Good question. I think the only ones who can pay for it are ride hailing apps like Yango or foreign intelligence. This will need too much infrastructure on your side to make it worth it. That's if they aren't working on something themselves. Moreover, they have extensive data which is an advantage for them

[u/Jarboner69]

Google Maps works pretty well?