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Sabina Mirza-Akhmedova, the CEO of Mappable, says, that in 2024, the GIS industry continued its upward trajectory, with the global market valued at approximately $14.8 billion
How did the industry and your company fare in 2024, and what were the key highlights?
In 2024, the GIS industry continued its upward trajectory, with the global market valued at approximately $14.8 billion. Proving the predicted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1% for the period 2024–2030, the market is projected to reach $31.2 billion by 2030. This growth highlights the increasing demand for advanced geospatial solutions, driven primarily by their rising importance in the transportation sector.
At Mappable, we made significant strides by launching the Neurogeocoder API, an AI-powered solution designed to streamline address searches in the GCC region. This innovation enhances geocoding accuracy, even with unstructured location queries, improving user experiences across multiple industries.
Another significant development was the launch of the Isochrone API, a pivotal tool for the fast-delivery sector. This solution identifies areas reachable from a specific point within a designated timeframe, offering a competitive advantage to clients in retail, e-commerce, and logistics. Notably, the Isochrone API incorporates real-time and predictive traffic data as well as weather forecasts, setting it apart by delivering more accurate and reliable insights compared to competing solutions.
To further drive innovation within the business sector, we introduced the Mappable Startup Package, designed to support local tech entrepreneurs in developing high-tech services and products. As part of this initiative, we partnered with the Emirates Entrepreneurship Association (EEA), the UAE’s leading business association, as well as with prominent business incubators and accelerators, including Hub71.
Additionally, we established strategic partnerships with major enterprise and government sector players, including the Fujairah GIS Center, Emirates Transport (ET), and Emarat. Our collaborations with private enterprises focus on delivering cutting-edge mapping and geospatial solutions to enhance end-user experiences and improve operational efficiency for clients. Meanwhile, our engagements with governmental institutions aim to enhance urban planning processes and improve real-time mapping accuracy.
What opportunities do you foresee for 2025, and how do you plan to leverage them?
In 2025, we anticipate significant opportunities in supporting UAE businesses and government organizations in achieving strategic economic objectives. By enhancing our mapping solutions for the UAE and the broader GCC region, we aim to contribute to the improvement of transportation networks and overall infrastructure development.
We plan to introduce more customizable features to our products, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of our local clients. This focus on flexibility and accessibility will enable businesses to integrate our solutions seamlessly into their operations, enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes.
Furthermore, we recognize the increasing importance of smart city technologies and autonomous vehicle systems in the region. By aligning our product development with these emerging trends, we aim to provide solutions that support the region’s vision for sustainable and technologically advanced urban environments.
What major challenges did you encounter in 2024, and how did you address them?
As more businesses and government organizations sought advanced mapping and geospatial technologies, tailored to their specific needs, scaling our operations became a priority. To address this, we expanded our technical support team significantly, ensuring that we could meet client requirements efficiently while maintaining the quality and reliability of our services. This allowed us to keep pace with the surge in adoption and provide timely assistance to our growing client base. By remaining agile and responsive to market demands, we successfully navigated this challenge and continued to build momentum for our growth.
Which emerging technologies do you believe will be in high demand in 2025, and why?
In 2025, we expect a sustained demand for machine learning and AI technologies, particularly in the geospatial sector. These technologies, already integral to the industry, will continue to drive faster and more accurate data analysis and predictive modelling—critical for applications such as smart city development and autonomous vehicle navigation.
Smart city technologies are also expected to be in high demand as urban areas seek to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Geospatial solutions play a crucial role in the planning and management of smart city infrastructure. Furthermore, there will be a growing need for sustainability solutions that leverage geospatial data and advanced navigation solutions to address environmental challenges.
What will be your primary focus areas and strategic priorities for 2025?
In 2025, we will concentrate on three main strategic priorities:
- Maintaining map detail and accuracy: We will continue to improve the granularity and precision of our maps to provide our clients with the most up-to-date geospatial data.
- Maintaining leadership in navigation: By investing in research and development, we aim to stay at the forefront of customizable navigation solutions in the region.
- Contributing to UAE’s strategic economic goals: We are committed to supporting the UAE’s vision for economic development by providing geospatial solutions that enhance infrastructure and services.
Are there plans to explore new markets or introduce new products/applications to your portfolio in 2025?
Yes, we have several geospatial and navigation products in the pipeline, slated for release in 2025. With a client base spanning the GCC, Central Asia, North Africa, and Latin America, our primary focus remains on the GCC region, where we aim to continue to meet the growing demand for advanced geospatial solutions.
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