Africa must take charge of its data and knowledge systems, researchers say
Much of Africa’s data is collected on the continent but analysed and monetised elsewhere, leaving African institutions with limited control over the knowledge generated from their own resources. Researchers and policymakers are now calling for greater investment in local research infrastructure, stronger data governance and partnerships that ensure the continent benefits from its knowledge and…
Researchers and policymakers are urging Africa to take greater control over its data and knowledge systems, as much of the continent's data is currently analyzed and monetized outside of Africa. This was highlighted during the third Africa Health and Development Annual Research Symposium (AHDARS 2026), which emphasized the need for local research infrastructure, stronger data governance, and partnerships that ensure Africa benefits from its own knowledge and scientific discoveries.
Dr Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), stressed that data and knowledge are Africa's "oil," and the continent must harness its resources to prevent others from controlling and profiting from them. She called for investment in infrastructure and capabilities to generate, manage, and utilize data, emphasizing that data sovereignty includes ownership and decision-making over data collection, sharing, and use.
Brief written by urgent.news from KBC's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
