Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenya and African countries to invest more in the generation and management of locally relevant data, emphasizing its critical role in driving sustainable development, improving service delivery, and strengthening resilience against emerging challenges.
Speaking during the official opening of the Global Data Festival 2026 and the Kenya Space Expo and Conference (KSEC) 2026, Prof. Kindiki underscored the growing importance of accurate and locally generated data in sectors such as agriculture, climate adaptation, disaster risk management, environmental monitoring, and land use planning.
“Development in the future will increasingly depend on the production of accurate, locally relevant data and the use of that data to make informed decisions, finance the right priorities, and address pressing local and global challenges,” said the Deputy President.
He warned against overreliance on externally generated intelligence, noting that such data is often insufficiently responsive to Africa’s unique realities and development needs. Prof.
Kindiki urged governments across the continent to strengthen national data systems and develop sustainable financing mechanisms to support data infrastructure as a core component of national development.
According to the Deputy President, quality data is essential for planning and implementing effective interventions at critical service delivery points, including health facilities, schools, and infrastructure projects.
He noted that data-driven decision-making enables governments to better allocate resources and improve outcomes for citizens.
The landmark conference, being hosted in Africa for the first time, has attracted more than 1,000 delegates from over 65 countries. Participants include representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, data institutions, technology innovators, and the private sector.
The Global Data Festival 2026 and KSEC 2026 aim to explore the transformative potential of data and space technologies in accelerating innovation, enhancing public service delivery, strengthening governance, and advancing sustainable development.
Organizers say the conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to deepen discussions on how data and space technologies can unlock economic opportunities, create jobs, and support the government’s Digital Superhighway agenda.
The ICT Authority reaffirmed its commitment to promoting data-driven innovation, strengthening digital infrastructure, and supporting initiatives that position Kenya as a leading digital and innovation hub in Africa.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
