Data Science Without Borders

Over the past few months, the Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) Initiative in partnership with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and OSPO Now, continued to advance open science, knowledge sharing, and capacity strengthening across Africa. These engagements reflect our commitment to making data and evidence more accessible, more collaborative, and more impactful for communities and institutions across the continent. If you missed the sessions, please watch the full recordings below: 🔸 Fair Data Sharing and Federated Analysis Webinar https://lnkd.in/dmdsx6dF 🔸 Exploring Synthetic Data for Africa’s Fragmented Data Landscape  https://lnkd.in/dM_Gf2pM 🔸 Understanding Data Protection Framework for Decision Making https://lnkd.in/d59K5UZM #OpenScience #Data4Development #AfricaData #Innovation #DigitalTransformation Agnes Kiragga Anthony Mveyange Catherine Kyobutungi Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, Charles Lenjo Bryan Shepherd Bioinformatics Hub of Kenya Initiative (BHKi) Gabi Rinck Sumir Panji

The #DSWB team at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) recently visited the Karsa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Ethiopia to begin mapping its health data to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). This advances efforts to improve data interoperability and support multi-site research collaboration. During the visit, the team also met with Sington Abdeta, a master’s student from Haramaya University, to review progress on his thesis project connected to this work, further reinforcing the Center’s commitment to capacity strengthening and mentorship. This work contributes directly to #DSWB’s goal of building standardized, high-quality data systems that enable better research and evidence use across Africa. #OMOPCDM #DataStandardization #KarsaHDSS #AHRI #DSWBEthiopia #GlobalHealthData #WeAreAfrica Afework Kassu Gizaw Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Mike Ochola Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Aminata Mboup, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Yisihak Abreham African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) Armauer Hansen Research Institute, IRESSEF - Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Training, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London OSPO Now Wellcome Trust

H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, joined the discussions at the Mobile World Congress in Kigali, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond debate on artificial intelligence to tangible action that supports Africa's development priorities. #AIinAfrica #DigitalAfrica #MWC25Kigali #AIGovernance #AI4Development #APHRC #DSWB #InclusionInAI #WeAreAfrica #APHRCResearch Jacob Odada Modester K. Agnes Kiragga Anthony Mveyange Catherine Kyobutungi Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Aminata Mboup, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, Charles Lenjo Jeffrey Onganga

Artificial intelligence (AI) governance took center stage at the #MWC25Kigali round-table for the Pan-African Parliament, where Agnes Kiragga of the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) delivered an insightful presentation on “The Role of Research Institutions in Promoting AI in Africa.” She highlighted the important role of research institutions in shaping an inclusive and ethical AI future for Africa, one grounded in data, evidence, and local realities. From advancing data governance and policy frameworks to developing innovations like PolicyLens AI, Dr. Kiragga stressed how research can drive digital transformation that truly serves people. She further emphasized the power of collaboration between parliaments, research institutions, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that AI is governed responsibly, equitably, and for the public good. #AIinAfrica #DigitalAfrica #MWCKigali #AIGovernance #LanguageModels #AI4Development #APHRC #DSWB #InclusionInAI #WeAreAfrica #APHRCResearch Agnes Kiragga Anthony Mveyange Catherine Kyobutungi Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, Charles Lenjo

At the Mobile World Congress #MWCKigali2025, Anthony Mveyange from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) reminded us that data-driven insights are key to turning consumers into creators and ensuring no one is left behind. #AIinAfrica #DigitalAfrica #MWCKigali #AIGovernance #LanguageModels #AI4Development #DSWB #InclusionInAI #WeAreAfrica #APHRCResearch Agnes Kiragga Catherine Kyobutungi Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Aminata Mboup, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, Charles Lenjo

At the Mobile World Congress #MWCKigali2025 Ministerial Programme 2025, #IamAPHRC’s Anthony Mveyange joined a high-level panel on “Connectivity Counts: Bridging the Digital Divide.” He emphasized the importance of grounding Africa’s digital transformation in data, accountability, and local creativity, urging the continent to move from being consumers of technology to creators of solutions that reflect Africa’s real priorities. The session brought together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to explore how Africa can achieve universal, meaningful connectivity through evidence-based policies and investment in digital public infrastructure. #AIinAfrica #MWCKigali #AIGovernance #DSWB #InclusionInAI #WeAreAfrica #APHRCResearch Wellcome Trust Agnes Kiragga Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Miranda Barasa Valentine K. Steve Cygu David Amadi Pauline Andeso Christine Ger Charles Lenjo Catherine Kyobutungi

The Data Science Without Borders #DSWB initiative is excited to be part of Mobile World Congress #MWCKigali2025, a landmark event shaping Africa’s digital and technological future in Kigali, Rwanda. Today, the GSMA Africa, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and other leading partners across the continent, announced a continent-wide collaboration to develop inclusive African artificial intelligence (AI) language models, advancing the shared vision of “AI in Africa, by Africa, for Africa.” 📍 Visit the APHRC booth. 🔸 Connect with our team and discover how we are leveraging data, research, and innovation to drive health and development across the continent. #AIinAfrica #DigitalAfrica #MWCKigali #AIGovernance #LanguageModels #AI4Development #APHRC #DSWB #InclusionInAI #WeAreAfrica #APHRCResearch Agnes Kiragga Anthony Mveyange Catherine Kyobutungi Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Aminata Mboup, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye CODATA Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, Charles Lenjo

What a week in Brisbane, Australia! At #InternationalDataWeek2025, the Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) team, Agnes Kiragga, Miranda Barasa, Bylhah Mugotitsa, and Steve Cygu, joined global experts to showcase how African-led data science is shaping the future of health and development. The team spotlighted Africa’s digital research infrastructure, demonstrated the No-Code AI Platform that makes data analysis more accessible, and shared experiences in federated data analysis using DataSHIELD to promote responsible, FAIR, and CARE-aligned data practices. The conference, organized by CODATA and the World Data System, brought together leaders in data, AI, and policy to explore how open science can drive ethical and inclusive innovation. Through this engagement, #DSWB continues to advance collaboration, capacity building, and responsible innovation, driving a new era of data-driven impact without borders. #SciDataCon2025 #IDW2025 #APHRC #DSWB #DataGovernance #OpenScience #AI #EthicalData #WeAreAfrica Afework Kassu Gizaw Tathagata Bhattacharjee Damazo Kadengye Letisha Najjemba Mike Ochola Manemik Raïssa Melissa KWENKEU Miranda Barasa Steve Cygu AKILILU ALEMU Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane Lifafa Kange Luc Baudoin Fankoua Ousmane Diop David Amadi Pauline Andeso Moctar Gningue ONANA AKOA François Anicet, PhD Aminata Mboup, PhD Briceket Fomazou Rachel Odhiambo Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende Alvin Nahabwe Christine Ger Yordanos Sintayehu Meseret Mamuye Melsew Belachew Mengst Engdaw kebede Fetlework Gubena Bezawit Belachew Tesfaye Tesema Yisihak Abreham Armauer Hansen Research Institute, IRESSEF - Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Training

This week was such a highlight - when I received the Titan Award for the Community Category for the OHDSI. The recognition of the ongoing work in promoting data use, data science, and building talent in Africa through the OHDSI Africa chapter and other initiatives is rewarding. I thank the OHDSI community and leadership, and special thanks to committed members of the Africa Chapter, including (but not limited to ) Cynthia Sung, PhD FCP PMP (thanks for receiving the award on my behalf and support), Andrew Kanter Alex Asiimwe Cash, Amelia Taylor PhD Bekure Tamirat Marc Twagirumukiza, Mark Kigada, Jim Todd, Jay Greenfield, Lars Halvorsen, Michel Walvarens, my colleagues from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Michael Ochola, Pauline Andeso, Rachel Odhiambo Data Science Without Borders DS-I Africa. There is still a lot to de done! We still need to see more responsive inclusion of African datasets in global data-driven collaborations and AI innovations. These and more topics will be discussed at the upcoming OHDSI Africa inaugural conference on November 10-12, 2025, in Kampala...watch the space.