Use of local data encouraged as key to Africa’s progress

onyangoclara6@gmail.com

African governments have been encouraged to lean more on homegrown research and local data to shape policies that improve lives, especially in areas like health, education, agriculture, and economic development.

This message came during the Africa Evidence Summit, which opened Monday at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, drawing around 500 participants including researchers, policymakers, civil society leaders, and youth advocates.

“Data is the backbone of effective policymaking,” said Dr Amina Oduor, who is a senior researcher at the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC).

“We need to empower our local institutions to generate and use evidence that reflects our unique development contexts.”

While global funding for development is tightening, participants said that this presents an opportunity for African countries to tap into local expertise to guide decisions.

“Despite reduced aid, we’re seeing a growing opportunity for countries to own their development journey through data and local talent,” said Carson Christiano, Executive Director of CEGA.

Prof Amos Njuguna, Chair of the Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa (NIERA), spoke about how simple, well-done evaluations can help governments tell what’s working—and what isn’t—when it comes to spending public resources.

The event concluded Tuesday with Ambassador Macharia Kamau, the Special Envoy for the East Africa Community Facilitator on the DRC, joining a key discussion on using research to shape development strategies.

Other topics at the Summit included climate change, youth sexual and reproductive health, technology, education, and more.

Speakers stressed that working hand-in-hand with governments is the best way to make evidence matter.