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View the schedule of events for DataFest Africa 2023.
Pre Event
Wed. 29 June
VizQuest Teams
VizQuest Teams & Mentors
You present your project to the #DataFest2023Vizquest team
Projects evaluation and ranking
We decide on the 3 finalists
Evidence and Methods Lab
Bonnita Nyamwire, Co-Director Research Department, Pollicy
Ernest Mwebaze, SunBird AI
Priscilla Adong, AirQo
Ayanda Mhlanga, Africa Data Hub
VizQuest Participants
Africa Data Hub
Day One
Wed. 12 July
Irene Mwendwa, Director for Strategic Initiatives at Pollicy
Gitonga M’Mbijjewe, Interim Associate Vice Provost and Academic Administration, Aga Khan University, Kenya
Kenya Gov’t Official remarks
Salome Eggler, Director Digital Transformation Centre, GIZ Nairobi
Introduction to the Programme, MC
Neema Iyer, Founder, Pollicy
Farhana Alarakhiya, Aga Khan University
Al Kags, Open Institute
Prof. Monica Kerrets-Makau (PhD), Thunderbird School of Global Management
This panel will explore what gender data is and its role in shaping policy and practice for greater gender equality. Drawing on examples from a range of sectors and contexts, such as government, civil society and private-sector, panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges of using data to drive change, as well as the ethical considerations and limitations of this approach. Topics may include the collection, analysis, and use of gender-disaggregated data, the importance of intersectionality in data analysis, and strategies for engaging stakeholders and advocating for policy change based on data insights. The panel aims to inspire participants to think creatively about how they can leverage gender data to advance equality in their own fields and communities.
Jane Crowe, Data Institutions Programme Lead, Open Data Institute
Carol Oyola, Regional Communications Manager, Aga Khan University
Caroline Gtwriri, Gender Expert, Kenya National Bureau of Statistic
Amos Mpungu, Ministry of ICT Government Uganda Official
Moderated by Neema Iyer, Pollicy
This transformative workshop will bring together 25 women from across Africa to re-envision the future of data (including gender data, data governance, AI and other emerging technologies) on the African continent from an Afrofeminist perspective. Building on the insights and recommendations presented in the “Afrofeminist Data Futures” report, participants will explore the potential of data to advance gender equality in Africa, as well as the ethical and social implications of rapidly emerging technologies. The workshop will provide a safe space for participants to share their experiences and perspectives on data and AI, and to collaborate on the development of concrete strategies and action plans for promoting progressive data collection, use and management in Africa. Topics to be discussed include the use of data for feminist advocacy, the impact of data and AI on women’s economic and social rights, and the role of technology in advancing feminist movements and leadership. The workshop will be highly interactive and participatory, with a mix of small-group discussions, plenary sessions, and hands-on activities such as developing a manifesto and creating advocacy content related to data justice for government bodies.
Irene Mwendwa, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Pollicy
This session will focus on the intersection of AI and future-proof skills for women in Africa. Participants will explore the potential of AI to shape the future of work for women and discuss the skills and competencies needed for success in the rapidly changing world of global work. They will also have the opportunity to learn about current AI initiatives and successful skills development programs and initiatives for women in Africa. The session will provide actionable strategies for developing AI solutions that are gender-responsive and culturally appropriate, as well as strategies for addressing barriers to skills development, such as gender stereotypes and unequal access to education and training. The ethical considerations and potential risks of AI in the context of work for women, including issues related to bias and discrimination, will also be highlighted. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the role of AI in the future of work for women in Africa, the skills and competencies needed for success in the 21st-century workforce in the next 20 to 30 years, and practical strategies as well as government intervention for developing these skills.
Mwende Mukwanyaga, Open Source Intelligence Expert
Collecting data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices brings various benefits, but it also presents certain risks and challenges related to bias. Some of the dangers associated with bias in IoT data collection would be , Data Incompleteness, Sampling Bias (inclusive of Gender Bias), Selection Bias, Algorithmic Bias, Contextual Bias, Privacy and Ethical Concerns
To mitigate these dangers, it is essential to implement robust data governance practices, ensure diverse and representative data collection, regularly assess and address bias in algorithms, maintain transparency in data handling, and prioritize privacy protection. Additionally, involving multidisciplinary teams and conducting independent audits can help identify and rectify biases in IoT data collection and analysis. Addressing gender bias in IoT data requires a comprehensive approach that involves diverse and inclusive data collection, algorithmic fairness, and inclusive design principles. It is crucial to promote diversity within development teams, while ensuring representative training data, regularly evaluate and address biases in algorithms, and involve user feedback and testing to identify and rectify gender bias in IoT systems.
Latiff Cherono, GearBox
Data holds tremendous influence in shaping local and global agendas. However, it is crucial that we also understand the underlying decisions that shape the data we utilise while comprehending the implications of these decisions for integrating gender perspectives into our work.
Join us in an engaging and hands-on workshop where we will guide you through the process of identifying, exploring, and evaluating the quality of datasets from a gender standpoint. This practical training aims to equip you with the necessary skills to delve deeper into individual datasets, recognize key elements that may indicate biases or gender sensitivities, and comprehend how these disparities manifest throughout the entire data pipeline—from hypothesis formulation and data collection to analysis and visualisation. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on study report done by Open Data Analytics on “Urban Data Governance in Uganda’s new cities; while looking at the implication of findings and recommendations to the region”
Sarah Findlay, Open Cities Lab
Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki, Executive Director, ToroDev
This workshop will focus on the research conducted on online violence against women politicians in Kenya in the 2022 General Elections and the use of AI/ML tools to detect and prevent such violence. Panelists will discuss the methodology and findings of the research, including the prevalence and impact of online violence against women politicians, as well as the opportunities and challenges of using AI/ML tools to address this issue. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about successful interventions and strategies for preventing online violence against women politicians on social media platforms, as well as to discuss the ethical considerations and limitations of using such tools in this context. The workshop will also address the broader implications of online violence against women politicians for democratic processes and gender equality.
Arthur Kakande, Data Products Lead, Pollicy
Matthew R. Adendorff, Chief Technology Officer, Open Cities Lab
Day Two
Thur. 13 July
This transformative workshop will bring together 25 women from across Africa to re-envision the future of data (including gender data, data governance, AI and other emerging technologies) on the African continent from an Afrofeminist perspective. Building on the insights and recommendations presented in the “Afrofeminist Data Futures” report, participants will explore the potential of data to advance gender equality in Africa, as well as the ethical and social implications of rapidly emerging technologies. The workshop will provide a safe space for participants to share their experiences and perspectives on data and AI, and to collaborate on the development of concrete strategies and action plans for promoting progressive data collection, use and management in Africa. Topics to be discussed include the use of data for feminist advocacy, the impact of data and AI on women’s economic and social rights, and the role of technology in advancing feminist movements and leadership. The workshop will be highly interactive and participatory, with a mix of small-group discussions, plenary sessions, and hands-on activities such as developing a manifesto and creating advocacy content related to data justice for government bodies.
Irene Mwendwa, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Pollicy
This workshop will bring together funders and partners to explore opportunities for collaboration in supporting feminist technology projects and activism that promote gender justice. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in critical conversations and interactive activities to explore how feminist principles and practices can be integrated into technology and advocacy funding and collaborations in the civil society sector in East Africa. Through small group discussions and case studies, participants will explore topics such as the challenges and opportunities of feminist technology funding, strategies for building effective partnerships, and best practices for evaluating the impact of feminist technology projects. The workshop will also address the importance of centering the experiences and voices of marginalized communities in funding decisions and project implementation.
This live podcast recording will look at new and creative ways to cultivate digital resilience in the workplace, with a focus on women. This podcast session will bring to life conversations on how alternative approaches can be adopted to empower women, enhance their digital skills, and enable them to better navigate and thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the modern workplace, while exploring how traditional approaches may not be sufficient, resulting in the need for innovative strategies to address the unique challenges and opportunities women face in the digital realm.
Cecilia Maundu, Digital Rights Researcher, Digital Dada Podcast
This workshop aims to map the intersection of social justice and data in Africa, and how this impacts communities. Participants will be introduced to the six pillars of data justice (power, equity, access, knowledge, participation and identity) and how they can be applied to activism, policy making and technology design to ensure equitable and rights-based data collection, governance and use in increasingly dynamic data and innovation ecosystems.
The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
Join us as we delve into the transformative power of our data landscaping model. Through this comprehensive approach, we have been able to gain a holistic understanding of the data ecosystem. We look at governance, policies, legislation, strategies, political economy and data diagnostic as well as demand and use of data. We have been able to uncover valuable insights into data user needs in over 15 countries including in Africa, such as Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Benin and Madagascar. We will share practical examples and case studies showcasing the effectiveness of the model in unlocking the true potential of data driven decision making. Join us to explore the world of data landscaping and discover how it can revolutionise data practices.
Christian Kilonzo, Information Systems Analyst, Development Initiatives
The session will immerse participants in the art and science of transforming both quantitative and qualitative gender data into compelling infographics and data stories. Starting with an introduction to feminist data visualisation and storytelling, we’ll emphasise how these tools can distil complex gender issues into digestible, engaging visuals that spur understanding and advocacy. We will delve into the role of qualitative data, exploring innovative techniques for visualising narratives, testimonials, reports, and other non-numerical data, alongside more traditional quantitative data. Participants will be inspired by real-world examples of feminist data visualisations, showing how these powerful tools can influence policy and reshape public opinion. We’ll tackle the ethical considerations inherent in feminist data visualisation, like avoiding bias, ensuring intersectionality, and respecting privacy. The heart of the session is a hands-on activity where participants will work in groups to create a visual narrative using both quantitative and qualitative gender-related data, illuminating key issues and conveying a potent feminist message. This activity will be followed by group presentations and constructive peer feedback, fostering a rich learning environment. The session will conclude with a summary of key learnings and a Q&A session, leaving attendees with the practical skills to use data visualisation as a powerful tool for feminist advocacy.
Adrian Aturinda, Evidence and Methods Lab
Wilson Lukwago, Design Lead, Pollicy
AIRA member CIPESA, released a series of reports analyzing data governance in Africa with case studies from Ghana, Tanzania Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda in 2022. The study found that whilst there has been some progress in developing frameworks for data governance, there are still significant policy gaps. Common challenges noted by the study include (i) inconsistency in quality of data governance policy, legislation and structures, and yet there is an increase in data collection by various entities (ii) specifically, the inadequacy of safeguards to prevent data abuse and mitigate future risks, and (iii) Challenges with protecting the right to privacy and increased surveillance especially of HRDs. However, the study did not pay sufficient attention to gender responsive data governance. This AIRA Talks provides an opportunity for AIRA members in Kenya to reflect on the state of data governance policy in Kenya, with a key focus on gender responsive governance. The discussion will also highlight advocacy efforts by some AIRA members for an East Africa regional policy on data governance.
African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA)
DataFest Africa 2023 will draw to a close with an intimate fireside chat and cocktail event. This special evening will offer a chance for participants to engage in enlightening discussions over cocktails, all under the theme of “The Future of Data Governance in Africa,” spotlighting the Africa Data Governance Hub.
The central aim of this closing session at DataFest Africa is to spotlight the Africa Data Governance Hub’s critical role in data governance across the continent. This occasion provides an ideal platform for engaging with diverse stakeholders, stimulating thought-provoking discussions, and igniting potential collaborations. It all aligns with our core pursuit – establishing the hub as an indispensable resource for data governance in Africa.
All participants will receive goodie bags, which will include a flyer detailing the Africa Data Governance Hub. This flyer will contain short profiles of the partnering organisations (Pollicy, Niyel with funding support from Hewlett) on how to engage further with the hub’s content. It will also guide attendees on how to sign up, upload their own content, and join the community to foster a stronger connection with the cause.
Gilbert Beyamba, Director of Programs, Pollicy