Shaping the future of a connected Africa

In today's interconnected world, effective data governance is pivotal for fostering transparency, empowering communities and driving equitable development across sectors. On April 23, 2024, Angela Oduor Lungati, Ushahidi’s Executive Director, shared her insights at the Connected Africa Summit (CAS) 2024, shedding light on the tangible impact of data-enabled applications in Africa and the challenges faced in implementing these transformative solutions.

Organized by the Kenya ICT Authority, the Connected Africa Summit 2024 convened leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore strategies for driving digital transformation and innovation in Africa. This gathering aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders to shape Africa's digital future and promote equitable access to technology and data-driven solutions.

Angela Oduor Lungati, Executive Director, Ushahidi

 

Tangible Impact of Data-Enabled Applications

Angela contributed to a dynamic panel discussion that explored strategies for building inclusive digital ecosystems in Africa. The session, titled "Towards an Open, Fair, and Inclusive Data Governance in Africa," was one of the breakout sessions during the summit that highlighted the critical importance of data governance in driving equitable development and empowerment across the continent.

Ushahidi's mission is to empower communities through citizen-generated data, enabling individuals to collect, manage, and analyze data from diverse sources to tackle pressing challenges in governance, humanitarian aid, and human rights. This approach ensures that decision-makers have access to valuable insights while amplifying the voices of disenfranchised communities that are often unheard in traditional governance structures.

“Citizen engagement, not extraction, is integral in the quest for social change.” - Angela Oduor Lungati

 

Over the past 16 years, Ushahidi has demonstrated the transformative power of citizen engagement in addressing critical societal issues across Africa. Angela emphasized the importance of transparency and openness in fostering collaborative action and showcased successful projects driven by Ushahidi's platforms.

For example, the Kenya COVID-19 Tracker developed by Map Kibera became a crucial resource during the pandemic, providing real-time geospatial information to aid the Kenyan government in resource allocation decisions, such as determining optimal locations for installing handwashing stations.

Furthermore, Angela highlighted Ushahidi's partnership with organizations like the Aga Khan Foundation in Uganda, where the platform was utilized for resource mapping during COVID-19 to support people living with disabilities.

KECOSCE (Kenya Community Support Centre) has utilized the Ushahidi Platform to track emerging conflicts in Mombasa, linking response actors to the issues for intervention. The organization regularly shares weekly reports based on community feedback, demonstrating how Ushahidi facilitates informed decision-making and community-led initiatives.

Currently, Ushahidi is scaling efforts on citizen engagement for climate action in Tana River County with support from GIZ. This initiative aims to democratize information and strengthen community resilience in the face of climate change, leveraging citizen-generated data to inform decision-making and drive sustainable development.

 

Challenges in Implementing Use Cases in Africa

During the panel discussion, Angela outlined several challenges commonly encountered in implementing data-driven initiatives across Africa. These challenges highlight the complexities and barriers that organizations like Ushahidi face in leveraging data for social impact.

• Data accessibility: Many regions in Africa lack reliable and accessible data sources, posing challenges in gathering comprehensive datasets, hindering informed decision-making and solution development.
• Compatibility and reusability of data: Data compatibility issues between different systems and platforms can negatively impact interoperability and data reuse, limiting the scalability and effectiveness of data-driven applications.
• Regulatory frameworks and conducive environment: Inconsistent regulatory frameworks and policies related to data governance can create uncertainties and compliance challenges for organizations deploying data-enabled solutions.
• Being data rich and insight poor: Despite access to vast amounts of data, organizations may struggle to derive meaningful insights and actionable intelligence due to limitations in data analysis capabilities.
• Limited collaboration and trust across sectors: Siloed approaches and lack of trust between stakeholders from public, private, and civil sectors can impede collaboration and knowledge-sharing essential for impactful data governance.
• Local capacity building and technical skills: Building local capacity in data management, analysis, and technology adoption is crucial for sustaining data-driven initiatives in Africa but often requires targeted investments and skill development.
• Cost of technology and limited funding resources: Deploying and maintaining data-driven technologies can be costly, particularly in resource-constrained settings, requiring sustainable funding mechanisms to support long-term implementation.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach involving capacity building, regulatory reforms, and collaborative efforts to strengthen data ecosystems in Africa.

 

Policy Recommendation for Effective Data Governance

Angela also emphasized the critical importance of continuous and intentional cross-sector collaborations between government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community groups to advance comprehensive and effective responses to community needs and signals.

"Transparency and openness are key when it comes to cross-sector collaborations among policymakers, public sector, and private sector." - Angela Oduor Lungati

 

By promoting collaborative frameworks grounded in transparency and openness, decision-makers can leverage diverse perspectives and insights from citizen-generated data to inform policymaking and drive impactful interventions.

Enhanced cross-sector collaborations means that partnerships are built on shared goals, clear responsibilities, public communication, and coordinated responses. Angela's emphasis on transparency underscores the importance of building trust among stakeholders, ensuring that data-driven initiatives are equitable, accountable, and beneficial to communities.

 

Africa's digital transformation journey requires continuous investments in local capacity building, technical skills development, and sustainable funding models to support the scalability and impact of data-enabled applications. In embracing transparency, collaboration, and innovation, Africa can unlock the full potential of data to drive sustainable development, empower marginalized communities, and build resilient societies in the face of evolving challenges.