Nairobi Strategic Consultation – Data for Policy SSA Engagement Project
Event Overview
Maximizing Sub-Saharan Africa’s Impact in the Global Data for Policy Dialogue
Date: 30 March 2023
Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya
Data for Policy CIC, in collaboration with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, hosted a strategic consultation meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi’s Upper Hill business district. This significant event brought together 30 regional thought leaders from East and South Africa to promote inclusive dialogue and strengthen African connectivity and contributions to the data for policy landscape, particularly regarding climate action and data science capabilities.
Event Objectives
The primary aim of the consultation was to foster understanding, connectivity, and collaboration among data generators, researchers, policymakers, investors, and users. It sought to strengthen the African data-policy ecosystem by addressing challenges, opportunities, and collaborative strategies in the context of sustainable development, with an emphasis on climate action and data science capabilities.
Opening Remarks
The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from Eldah Onsomu, KIPPRA’s Director of Economic Management, and Joshua Ariga, Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The opening address highlighted the activities of DFP and its partner journal, Data & Policy, presented by Zeynep Engin, Founding Director of Data for Policy CIC. Aggie Asiimwe Konde, Vice President of Programme Innovation and Delivery at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, delivered a call to action for better linkage of data with policy-making.
Programme
The day featured engaging panel-led discussions:
African Knowledge Generation and Impact on Regional and Global Stage – Chaired by Joshua Ariga, with panellists including Andrew Kizito Muganga (Makerere University), Lilian Kirimi (Tegemeo Institute), Benjamin Avusevwa (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics), and Sarah N. Ssewanyana (Economic Policy Research Centre, Uganda). They examined the state of knowledge creation and its integration into governance.
Evidenced Impact of African-Led Research at the Nexus of Data and Policy – Chaired by Stanley Wood (Gates Foundation), with contributions from Violet Ibukayo Murunga (African Institute for Development Policy), Siziwe Ngcwabe (African Evidence Network), and Vukosi Marivate (University of Pretoria). This session assessed the current status of African-led research and its implications.
Afternoon Sessions
After a recap of the morning proceedings by Sarah Ssewanyana, Andrew Hyde (Cambridge University Press) presented insights on the Data & Policy journal’s development. A panel chaired by Zeynep Engin then explored strategic areas of interest to address identified challenges with participants included Daisy Selematsela (CoDATA South Africa), Leonida Mutuku (Local Development Research Institute, Kenya), Momar Dieng (African Leadership University), Bamba Sylla (African Institute of Mathematical Sciences), and Rachel Adams (Research ICT Africa). The discussions highlighted emerging visions, collaborative opportunities, and means of action.
A group-work session, facilitated by Joy Kiru (University of Nairobi), focused on building an activity-based delivery model for change. Participants engaged with key questions regarding collective actions needed for long-term vision and short-term practical steps, including suggestions for key performance indicators.
Conclusion
The final part of the day included feedback sessions in both in-person and online groups, leading to a plenary discussion on action points. Eldah Onsomu and Maureen Adoyo (Rongo University and Data for Policy) facilitated discussions emphasizing co-creation, coordination, collaboration, and practical actions such as training, infrastructure development, and standardizing interoperability for data sharing. Participants articulated a vision of success and identified key stakeholders essential for realizing that vision.
This strategic consultation is part of Data for Policy’s Sub-Saharan Engagement project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the Evans School Policy Analysis and Research Group at the University of Washington.
