Africa Data Capacity Accelerator
Driving data talent at the intersection of climate and health
data.org launched the Africa Data Capacity Accelerator, catalyzing the application of data to address systemic challenges at the intersection of climate and health – including the critical need to build capacity. In partnership with The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and their lead training partner, The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), the Africa Accelerator will produce a cohort of purpose-driven data practitioners with interdisciplinary subject-matter expertise in climate and health data to effectively drive social impact.
The Africa Accelerator participants come from over 20 countries and 35 social impact and government organizations. In addition to accelerating career pathways, the Accelerator also contributes to the growth of the social sector by providing mentoring, open resources, technical assistance, and data fellows to dozens of organizations across Africa.
- Of the 2121 public health events recorded in the African region between 2001 and 2021, 56% were climate-related.
- More than four in ten people live in areas “highly vulnerable” to climate change and are already experiencing the effects on public health.
- Climate change impact is likely to slow the progress against hunger, with an additional 78 million people in Africa facing chronic hunger by 2050.
To achieve better outcomes for people and the planet, we as the international data community need to collaborate to make technical skills and knowledge more accessible to all. Partnering with data.org, J-PAL South Asia, and a constellation of education providers will help collectively leverage our networks to strengthen local data talent, which in turn will help unlock solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.
Dr. Claire Melamed CEO Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD)
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Updates
Data Science for Health and Climate in Africa: Meet the CAN Fellows
Eight new fellows will be undertaking data science projects at the intersection of health and climate in Africa, and focused on land degradation, as part of the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) program to train purpose-driven data professionals.