About

DataFest
Africa 24

Opportunities for all

Introducing
DataFest 24

DataFest Africa is an annual event that ultimately celebrates data science and its ever-evolving impact on the African continent. Since its inception in 2019, the conference has become a melting pot of some of the brightest minds in the region, bringing together stakeholders of diverse backgrounds including; government, civil society, academics, students and private industry experts to connect, learn, and collaborate on innovative data-driven solutions.

Breaking Structural Barriers

With each edition, DataFest Africa has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of data science. Pollicy, with support from partners has been organising the annual festival which has so far transformed from a Kampala edition (DataFest Kampala) to an African regional edition (DataFest Africa).

DataFest Africa has been held four times: In 2019, 2021,2022 and 2023. The first data festival was held in Kampala, Uganda on 6th and 7th March 2019, under the theme of; “the use of data in decision-making for both the public and private sectors.” The 2021 event was held on 29th and 30th April under the theme “Living with Data.” In 2022, the festival was held from 10th June to 7th July under the theme; “Big Data, Little Data and Everything Between” and in 2023 the main event was held on 12th July and 13th July under the theme; “Turning the Data Tables: No gender equality without data equality”.

Why Attend?

opportunites
for all

Our theme this year is built around the idea of harnessing Data & Technology for Africa’s Transformation. Learn what that means to us, and what our plan for this year is.

As we look forward to the 2024 edition of DataFest Africa which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, we are excited to announce the theme of this year’s festival: “Opportunities for all: Harnessing Data and Technology for Africa’s Transformation.” The festival which will be hosted in a hybrid format will center around understanding and putting a spotlight on addressing the need to promote intersectionality of gender and data. This will also have an in-depth conversation on how data affects women and girls from data scientists to women who consume and use data on a daily basis.

Our Objective

Addressing societal issues through data visualisation and highlighting the realities
of lived experience.

Datafest Africa seeks to address societal issues through the powerful medium of data visualization, a tool that transcends language and cultural barriers. Through various aspects of this year’s edition, we aim to illuminate the realities of lived experiences in a way that is both accessible and impactful. The objective is not merely to present data, but to use it as a catalyst for change, fostering a deeper understanding of these issues and inspiring action. Through Datafest, we hope to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to leverage data visualization in their own communities, contributing to a more informed data and technology users that harness opportunities to transform the African continent.

Our Objective

Showcasing solutions and innovations for the critical masses and affected
communities.

At Datafest we will showcase solutions and innovations that have the potential to bring about significant change for the data community. We aim to highlight groundbreaking ideas, technologies, and strategies that address societal challenges and improve the quality of life. By bringing these innovations to the forefront, we hope to inspire attendees to implement similar solutions in their own communities. Furthermore, we believe in the power of collaboration and hope that this platform will foster partnerships and synergies among different stakeholders, amplifying the impact of these solutions.

New Skills

Learning a new skill in the ever changing Data science ecosystem

New Trends

Learning about new trends within the data science ecosystem