BY CHARLES GACHOKI AND NAFISA WAZIRI
In recent years, the open data movement in Africa has experienced remarkable growth. What started as a focus on government programmes and portals has expanded into a dynamic ecosystem where civil society, research institutions, and the private sector drive the demand for data. To offer some perspective on the growing interest and importance of this issue, the African Union has estimated that the economic benefit of open data could equate to around 1-2 percent of GDP in Africa. Rallying behind this call, initiatives like the Data Governance for Africa Initiative have invested over US$1 million in the last year alone. Despite this progress, Africa’s open data performance still lags behind the global average.
At its core, the open data movement is about empowerment. By making public sector data accessible, citizens can better understand how their governments are performing and hold them accountable for unmet goals. In the education sector, the stakes are high. Data shapes narratives, and those narratives influence power, policy, and resource allocation. This underscores the core objectives of the Unlocking Data Initiative. Established in 2020, and with recent support from the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), this initiative has set out to strengthen education data systems and offer contextually responsive solutions to the challenges faced by researchers in Africa.
Why Open Data Matters
As education reforms sweep across sub-Saharan Africa, the politics of data have become increasingly complex. Who controls access to data? Who decides how it’s used? And most importantly, how can data drive real change for learners, especially the most vulnerable?
Through the Unlocking Data Initiative, a consortium of Pan-African partners (eBASE Africa, EdTech Hub, ESSA, the University of Malawi’s Centre for Educational Research and Training (CERT), and Zizi Afrique Foundation) are at the forefront of efforts to answer these questions. This initiative (active in Cameroon, Kenya, and Malawi) aims to ensure that data becomes a powerful tool for educational transformation.
To engage with partners and actors in the space, the Unlocking Data Initiative hosted a webinar on August 21, 2024, to launch the new phase of activities as part of the KIX grant. A wide range of organisations and participants including, representatives from the Ministries of Education in Cameroon, Mr TohMoh Joseph (Technical Advisor), Kenya, Mr Bartholomew Lumbasi (Director of Policy), and Malawi, Mr. Lanken Nkhata (Ag Head EMIS). These representatives joined researchers and education advocates through this interactive session to discuss data democratisation and explore ways of increasing access to and uses of education data.
The Barriers to Unlocking Data
While the potential of open data is immense, early findings from the Unlocking Data Initiative research activities resonate with the experiences of stakeholders and partners. Simply put, significant challenges remain:
- Accessibility and Transparency: Many public datasets are difficult to access or not openly available, and the processes for requesting data can be opaque and bureaucratic. This includes a lack of clear metadata, original documentation, and contextual information to support the interpretation and appropriate use of the data.
- Interoperability and Standardization: Data across different government agencies and programs often use different terminologies, formats, and definitions, making it difficult to aggregate and analyse data holistically.
- Data Quality and Reliability: The quality of data collected is another critical issue. Inconsistent methods, outdated information, and political interference often undermine the reliability of evidence. For African nations to tell their stories and address challenges like learning poverty effectively, they need authentic, high-quality data that reflects their realities.
- Ethical Dilemmas in Data Sharing: Balancing transparency with confidentiality is a constant challenge. CSOs working with vulnerable populations must navigate ethical considerations, especially when data contains sensitive information about learners. Without proper anonymization and responsible use protocols, the risks of harm increase.
- Collaboration and Trust: Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the lack of collaboration between stakeholders. Mistrust, competing priorities, and unclear frameworks for data sharing create barriers that limit progress. For instance, while initiatives like Education Evidence for Action (EE4A) have made strides in fostering partnerships, much more needs to be done to bridge gaps and build trust.
A Path Forward
The Unlocking Data Initiative offers a promising model for change. By mapping foundational learning ecosystems, identifying gaps, and building capacity, this initiative is laying the groundwork for stronger, more collaborative data ecosystems.
Key strategies for success include:
- Co-creation: Bringing together governments, CSOs, researchers, academics, and private organisations to design data tools and processes that are inclusive and responsive to local needs.
- Digital Innovation: Establishing digital evidence hubs, such as the one proposed for Kenya’s Ministry of Education, to improve access and streamline data sharing.
- Trust-Building: Developing clear policy frameworks and agreements to guide data sharing and ensure mutual accountability.
- Capacity Building: identifying and plugging capacity gaps, especially with state actors and researchers, to not only be able to share data but also increase its usage in their decision-making.
By addressing these challenges head-on, Africa’s education sector can harness the full potential of open data to improve learning outcomes, reduce inequities, and drive sustainable change.
Join us!
Unlocking data isn’t just about technology or policy—it’s about collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to the future of Africa’s learners. As the Unlocking Data Initiative and other efforts gain momentum, it provides a blueprint for how data can transform education systems and, ultimately, lives.
The question is no longer whether open data can make a difference but how we can overcome the barriers to make it a reality. Let’s continue the conversation—and the work—of Unlocking Data for a brighter future. Please visit our website and follow our partners CERT. eBASE, EdTech Hub, ESSA, and Zizi Afrique Foundation on social media. You are also invited to participate and contribute to this work by joining our community of practice and Unlock the potential of Data!
