View the schedule of events for DataFest Africa 2025.
Pre-event
Thursday, 23rd October
Data for Gender Equality
Data for Resilient Agriculture
Data for Better Livelihoods
Day Zero
Wednesday, 29th October
This gathering brings together feminist activists, technologists, policymakers, and creatives to collaboratively identify challenges, map stakeholder ecosystems, and test actionable solutions for advancing safe, inclusive, and equitable digital environments.
Day One
Pollicy, National ICT Innovation Hub, Internet Society, Merl Tech Initiative, Amara Hub, and Aga Khan University
Joanitah Success Nsasiirwe, Team Lead, Talk to SEMA
Marie Nanyanzi, Senior Program Officer, Twaweza East Africa
Laura Criado Lafuente, Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth, United Nations Population Fund
Ninsiima Lilian, Student, Kololo Senior Secondary School, Kampala
This address sets the stage for DataFest Africa 2025 by exploring why reclaiming our data is critical at this moment. Framing both the global and African challenges, the keynote examines the implications of data extraction, digital inequality, and the struggle for agency in today’s tech-driven world. We shall gain insights into the urgent necessity of building fair, human-centered, and locally governed data futures, grounding the festival’s theme and inviting all attendees to join the journey towards more just and inclusive digital societies.
Baker Birikujja, National Personal Data Protection Director, Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), Uganda
Open for rest of the event
Step into the Data Museum, a collaborative showcase where art meets data to spark new understanding and conversation. Through immersive installations and creative exhibits, participants will explore the building blocks of fair, human-centered, and just data futures in Africa. Experience interactive simulations that invite debate about data ownership and control, and discover community spotlights featuring African innovators who use data for social good, collective organizing, and joy. This session invites you to question power imbalances through play, witness inspiring artistic narratives, and see how data shapes our lives, advocacy, and resilience
This panel convenes thought leaders and community innovators to explore the transformational role of data in Uganda and Africa. Moving beyond both hype and skepticism, the discussion unpacks how data is driving opportunities for economic growth, civic participation, and social change while also revealing challenges of exploitation, inequality, and invisible labour.
Panelists will examine real-world impacts of both public and private sector data practices, spotlighting community-led solutions, policy innovations, and the everyday realities that shape our digital futures. By grounding the conversation in local experiences, the panel shall inspire action for more equitable, responsive, and people-centred approaches to data in society.
Irene Makau, AI Policy and Data Governance Researcher, CIPIT
Ivy Gikonyo, Project Officer, Centre for Human Rights
Neema Iyer, ED & Founder Pollicy
Bernard Sabiti, Project Coordinator, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
Frank Ssekamwa, Founder & ED, OneTechConnect
Moderated by
Angela Minayo, Programs Officer, Digital Rights and Policy, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa
Discover how accessible, open African datasets can advance ethical AI. Participants will learn key findings on available data, practical strategies for using open data in research and innovation, and recommendations for building Africa’s AI future.
GIZ African Union
Yonas Gebremichael Difer, Advisor, AI Made in Africa project
Kuuku Sam, Head, AI Made in Africa project, GIZ African Union
This session puts data access at the core of Africa’s human rights and development agenda. In light of ACHPR Resolution 620, it highlights why equitable, ethical, and inclusive data practices are essential for transparency, accountability, and public participation. Participants will discuss current barriers, the risks of exclusion, and the urgent need for rights-based standards and grassroots action to shape Africa’s data governance for everyone.
Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Mercy Owilla Abiro, Programmes associate, Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director, Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Gaaba Lakel Maria, Communications and Advocacy officer, Africa Freedom of Information Centre
In this session, participants will join guided community dialogues on Africa’s most urgent data challenges: digital colonialism, data sovereignty, and algorithmic bias. Through small circles and real-life stories, everyone will share experiences and work together to brainstorm solutions.
Brian Gillo, AI Governance/Researcher and Software Engineer
AI is making it harder to spot fake news, but it can also help us fight it. This session explores how African fact-checkers are using AI tools to detect and debunk falsehoods faster, and what’s still missing for our local needs. You’ll see real demos, discuss what the ideal African fact-checking tool should do, and leave with new ideas to help your community stay ahead of disinformation risks.
Learn how civil society can actively shape and improve AI governance through regulatory sandboxes. Participants will explore why CSOs are vital for ethical, transparent, and inclusive AI, discuss barriers to their involvement, and take away practical ideas for advocating public interest and accountability in sandbox initiatives.
Datasphere Initiative
Morine Amutorine, Africa Sandboxes Forum Lead, Datasphere Initiative.
Brian Byaruhanga, Technology Officer, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
This session explores tools and techniques for addressing online attacks targeting human rights defenders and citizens. Drawing from over five years of hands-on experience in South Sudan, it examines real-world incidents ranging from online impersonation, hacking, and coordinated harassment to cases involving revenge pornography and child protection on Meta platforms. Participants will gain an understanding of the general threat landscape, common types of online risks, and practical strategies for mitigation. The session will also highlight key tools, resources, and response mechanisms available for managing such incidents and safeguarding civil rights online.
Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) South Sudan
Nelson Kwaje, Chairperson & Acting Executive Director, Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF)
Tony Kenyi, IT Officer & SafetyComm Lead, Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF)
George Gumikiriza, Communications Lead, Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF)
In a world where code and conversation are converging, this interactive session empowers both developers and non-developers to harness the power of AI, vibe coding, and context engineering for next-generation solutions. Through guided hands-on activities, participants will learn how to design, prompt, and build with AI systems that understand context and intent, opening new doors for innovation across tech, design, communication, and beyond.
Pollicy
Rashid Kisejjere, Data Products and Technology Assistant, Pollicy
See how Ugandan cities like Jinja and Fort Portal use community-driven data for fairer services and smarter city planning. Participants will learn from real examples in waste management, budgeting, and sustainable tourism, gaining practical tools for evidence-based, equitable urban governance.
By the DataCities Consortium (ToroDev, Sunbird AI, UN Global Pulse)
Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki, Executive Director, ToroDev
Ernest Mwebaze, Executive Director, Sunbird AI
Day Two
Daphine Nkunda, Global Center on AI Governance
Rebecca Florence Nanono, Shetechtive Uganda
Ivy Gikonyo, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
Learn how the MERL Tech Initiative and its NLP Community of Practice help social sector organizations design and evaluate tech-enabled programs responsibly. This session highlights how MERL, AI, and NLP practitioners collaborate, share practical tools, and make complex AI concepts accessible, always centering people, equity, and ethical outcomes for real-world challenges.
The MERL Tech Initiative
Patricia Ainembabazi, Policy and Advocacy Officer, CIPESA
Kuuku Sam, Head, AI Made in Africa project, GIZ African Union
Ernest Mwebaze, Executive Director, Sunbird AI
Solomon Mwije, Instructor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Uganda Christian University
Moderated by;
Vari Magodo-Matimba, AI+ Africa Lead, The MERL Tech Initiative
This interactive session brings together African advocates, technologists, and policymakers to co-create rights-based approaches for platform accountability centered on the ACHPR Resolution 630 Guidelines. During the facilitated dialogue, participants will work together to address online disinformation, bias, and transparency, drawing from local expertise to shape practical, context-driven responses for information integrity across Africa’s digital spaces.
The session is being developed within the framework of the EU-funded project, “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Access to Information through the implementation of UNESCO’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms.
Media Monitoring Africa
On behalf of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Honourable Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo
Lister Namumba-Rikhotso, Program Manager, Media Monitoring Africa
This session explores how women in African communities can anticipate, adapt to, and shape the tech-driven future of work. Through practical foresight and dialogue, participants will identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for women to thrive in evolving workplaces, ensuring digital growth delivers inclusive, equitable careers for all.
This session examines how technology and AI are changing African elections and increasing online gender-based violence. Participants will share personal stories and explore solutions for safer digital spaces during elections, focusing on platform accountability and policy actions. By the end, you’ll gain practical strategies to protect women in politics and support fairer, more transparent elections.
CcHUB (GoVote)
Eweka Yvonne Ogieomo, Senior Programme Manager, Election and Governance, CcHUB
Brenda Namata, Program Manager, Pollicy
Angela Minayo, Digital Rights and Policy Advisor, ARTICLE 19 East Africa
Khadijah El-Usman, Senior Programmes Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Paradigm Initiative
Judy Karioko, Program Manager, IREX
MacLean Kamusiime, Division Mayor, Kabale Municipality
Join a hands-on training session and learn the basics of game development. Participants will experiment with beginner-friendly tools to create their own simple games, gaining practical digital and creativity skills they can apply in tech or advocacy projects.
Pollicy, Design Without Borders
Neema Iyer, Founder, Pollicy
Abigail Turinayo, Managing Director, Design without Borders Africa
This session unpacks the impact of spyware and surveillance on activism and feminist organizing in Uganda. Participants will learn practical policy findings, share experiences of digital threats, and join a regional conversation on stronger safeguards. You’ll leave equipped with advocacy strategies and real-world recommendations to protect privacy and civic space in East Africa.
Women of Uganda Network, Uganda
David Iribagiza, Women Of Uganda Network
Esther Nyapendi, Women Of Uganda Network
This session explores how Digital Ownership empowers African youth to take control of the data shaping their lives, driving community-led innovation across sectors like service mapping, gender-based violence reporting, and agricultural markets.
This session introduces ACHPR’s Resolution 631 and Africa’s urgent need to rethink access to public service content in the digital era. Attendees will help shape new guidelines that put public interest first, joining consultative dialogues on policy, information integrity, and practical solutions for reliable, community-focused content across Africa’s platforms.
SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (South Africa)
Uyanda Siyotula, National Coordinator, SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition
Juliet Nanfuka, CIPESA
Sandra Aceng, Executive Director, Women of Uganda Network
Discover how youth-led tech communities are powering local digital innovation across Africa. Participants will learn how peer-driven networks build digital skills, foster inclusive solutions, and amplify underrepresented voices offering practical insights to help shape ethical, impactful tech ecosystems.
AWS Club, Makerere University
Ronnie Atuhaire, Co-founder, MpaMpe
Shakiran Nannyombi, Co-Captain, AWS Cloud Club, Makerere University