Who produces and uses data? A Dialogue on Evidence, Power, and Participation in African Education System

 Date: 9 July  2025

Time:  3:00 PM EAT 

Zoom Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3ZQ93bB 

Despite years of investment in the education data systems, many African countries still face challenges around data use and ownership. Data is often collected but remains unused, or evidence is produced in ways that do not reflect local priorities and realities. This disconnect not only limits the effectiveness of policy and practice but also reinforces power imbalances between global evidence producers and national decision-makers. 

This event brings together researchers, policymakers, funders, and practitioners to explore how we can shift this narrative. It will highlight insights from new Evidence Gap Maps (EGM) from Cameroon, Kenya, and Malawi and share early lessons from the Unlocking Data initiative—a systems-level initiative designed to strengthen education data ecosystems by centring African actors and priorities.  

The conversation will unpack why strengthening the use of evidence—not just its production—is critical for achieving meaningful education outcomes. The Unlocking Data initiative challenges the status quo by: 

• Repositioning local decision-makers as co-creators of evidence 

• Building infrastructure that centres African systems and actors 

• Demonstrating how localised, demand-driven approaches can improve not just what evidence is available, but who gets to use it and how 

Expected Outcomes 

• Greater awareness of evidence gaps and opportunities in education research 

• Strengthened alignment between research, policy, and implementation 

• Shared understanding of how to build equitable and participatory education data ecosystems 

• New connections across country teams, researchers, and decision-makers working to elevate local evidence use