About Datum Africa
Data for Africa,
by Africa.
Datum Africa is a community-driven initiative dedicated to building the research, programs, and partnerships that make African data discoverable, trustworthy, and community-owned. We believe the next chapter of Africa's development depends on who controls the data that tells Africa's story.
The Problem
African data exists in abundance, but most of it is locked in formats that can't be discovered, compared, or trusted. Metadata is incomplete. Languages are excluded. Governance frameworks are borrowed from contexts that don't fit.
Our Approach
We combine rigorous research with community programs that develop African data practitioners and we partner across sectors to build infrastructure that makes open data sustainable, not just idealistic.
The Vision
A continent where African researchers, governments, and communities can find, use, and build on high-quality open data in their own languages, on their own terms.
Theory of Change
How we create impact
Our work follows a clear logic: build evidence, develop people, connect ecosystems, and drive measurable change.
Build Evidence
Publish research on data quality, governance, and access that shapes policy and practice.
Develop Practitioners
Train and support African data practitioners through volunteer programs and fellowships.
Connect Ecosystems
Forge partnerships across sectors to scale open data infrastructure and adoption.
Drive Impact
More African datasets discovered, used, and trusted, advancing development outcomes.
What We Stand For
Our values
African Leadership
We believe African communities must lead their own data narratives. Our programs, research, and partnerships are designed to center African expertise and lived experience.
Open by Default
We advocate for open standards, open licenses, and open infrastructure. Data that cannot be found or used cannot create change.
Rigorous Evidence
We publish research that meets high standards of methodological clarity. We don't confuse activity for impact, and we document what doesn't work as clearly as what does.
Community First
Our volunteer programs, fellowships, and community initiatives are not extractive pipelines, genuine investments in African data practitioners.
Equity in Access
Open data is only equitable if it is accessible across languages, regions, and levels of technical capacity. We build for the broadest possible reach.
Accountable Partnerships
We collaborate with governments, funders, and institutions, yet we hold our partners to the same standards we hold ourselves.
Meet the Team
The people driving Datum Africa's research, programs, and partnerships forward.
View Team →Our Partners
The NGOs, funders, and institutions who share our commitment to African-led open data.
See Partners →Get Involved
Join a volunteer cohort, apply for a fellowship, or contribute to community data programs.
Apply Now →