London Strategic Consultation – Data for Policy SSA Engagement Project

Event Overview

Understanding, Facilitating, and Connecting AI and Data Science Futures in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Public Sector

Date: 08 July 2024, 15:00 – 17:00
Location:  Data Science Institute Boardroom, Imperial College London

This high-level strategic consultation aimed to address the underrepresentation of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) researchers and policymakers in the global AI and data science discourse. Held in conjunction with the Data for Policy 2024 Conference, the event brought together leading AI and data science experts, policymakers, and practitioners from the region to discuss challenges and opportunities within the SSA public sector.

Over the past 18 months, Data for Policy (DFP) has spearheaded initiatives supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote the inclusion of SSA voices in the global research-to-policy dialogue. These efforts include highlighting regional achievements, examining systemic barriers to SSA research, and fostering a community of practice around AI and data science-driven public service delivery.

Event Objectives

The consultation focused on:

  • Understanding the current landscape of AI and data science in SSA’s public sector.
  • Facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration across SSA research, policy, and public service communities.
  • Connecting local success stories to the broader global narrative, ensuring SSA’s contributions to AI and data policy are recognized and elevated.

Programme

    The strategic consultation began with an introduction by Zeynep Engin, PhD, Founding Director of Data for Policy CIC, who provided an overview of DFP’s journey to include SSA knowledge in the global AI and data policy dialogue. This was followed by presentations from key SSA figures in the field of AI and data science, including:

    Samuel Segun, PhD – Senior Researcher at the Global Center on AI Governance, Samuel Kobina Annim, PhD – Government Statistician for the Ghana Statistical Service, Chukwuka Onyekwena, PhD – Executive Director at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa and Lillian Olivia Orero – Founder of SafeOnline Women Kenya (SOW-Kenya).

    Participants engaged in open discussions, sharing insights on regional success stories, barriers to progress, and the future direction of AI and data science in SSA’s public sector. This session also introduced DFP’s theory of change and consortium model, designed to foster more equitable partnerships and knowledge exchange within the region.

    Conclusion

    • Increased SSA Participation: DFP’s strategic engagement has already led to a rise in SSA submissions at the Data for Policy Conference (from 2% in 2022 to 13.45% in 2024), reflecting the region’s growing role in the global discourse.
    • Collaborative Platforms: Plans were discussed to expand editorial contributions to the Data & Policy journal and launch a collaborative platform for sustained knowledge exchange.
    • Future Regional Conferences: Proposals were made for regionally focused conferences in 2025, aiming to further amplify SSA’s role in AI and data science for public policy.
    •  

      DFP’s SSA program efforts have already shown dividends, with SSA submissions to the Data for Policy conference increasing from 2% in 2022 to 13.45% in 2024, nearing SSA’s global population share. This metric underscores the efficacy of deliberate and targeted engagement, inclusion, community building, and provision of leadership opportunities.

    This consultation reinforced the need for sustained, inclusive dialogue to ensure that SSA’s AI and data science future is not only understood but also actively shaped by local expertise.