Data Revolution in Africa High-Level Conference

The HLC is envisioned as one-day face-to-face meeting of policy makers and leaders of thought whose results will be tabled before ministers for endorsement and adoption. The HLC will feature a few keynotes and prepared reports to inform the decisions of the HLC. A technical programme of two days will precede the HLC, featuring focused discussions in breakout sessions and working groups. Participants for the technical component will be drawn from data stakeholders identified through a survey of data communities across Africa. The organisers shall propose a substantial and consolidated conference programme in due course.

Among others, the High-Level Conference will result in:

1. An African understanding, analysis and review of the IEAG report and PARIS21 IDR Roadmap
2. The adoption of a set of principles that will power data revolution in Africa
3. A clear understanding, and hopefully a map of non-state data revolution stakeholders
4. An African Data revolution road map, with short, medium and long term action plans building on the recommendations of the IEAG and PARIS21 IDR reports where possible

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are complying with two requests for action. The first request was made by the Seventh Joint AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 25-30 March 2014. The second request was by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 20-27 June 2014. Both bodies passed resolutions requesting ECA, AfDB, AUC and UNDP to organise a high-level conference on the data revolution.

For more details, visit the HLC website.