A summary of the key learnings from the course DATA FOR BETTER LIVES:

1. Data for
Better Lives
WALTER NAMASAKE

2. “Realizing the full value of data will
depend on a substantial commitment
and effort, and it
will be difficult. But the cost of failure
is a world of missed opportunities and
greater inequities.”
- DAVID MALPASS, WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2021

3. The Role of Data in Development
Data is playing a very huge role in the development of the world.
How data is managed by various actors shall determine the influence that these actors shall have
going forward.
It is thus essential that citizens of the world leverage on data to develop themselves and those
around them.
Failure to take advantage of this role that data is playing will leave actors severely disadvantaged
in a fast-paced world that is capitalising on data to spur development.

4. The Social Contract
To fully utilize the potential of data, a new social contract is required that is founded on three
areas:
Value - The full value of data materializes when systems enable the use and reuse of data for
different purposes
Trust - A trust environment is created when the rights and interests that all stakeholders have in
data are safeguarded
Equity - All share equitably in the benefits of data when investments and regulations create a level
playing field.

5. What are we required to do?
In order to position ourselves to fully benefit from the potential that data has to spur growth and
development, we need to put in place the right data-friendly strategies, and take steps to
implement them in a purposeful, intentional and focussed manner.
The influencers in the ‘datasphere’ shall need to embrace the concepts of value, trust and equity
for a successful implementation of the social contract.
These shall require us to arm our citizenry with the right tools to take full advantage of the
opportunities that data brings when they lay themselves bare in front of us.
Only then shall all players across board fully benefit

6. The Right tools
The right tools for a successful implementation of the social contract are:
1. Infrastructure Policies – Develop the right infrastructure to facilitate maximum flow, use and
reuse of data.
2. Laws and Regulations – Have laws and regulations that safeguard against misuse of data while
at the same time enable free flow of data for it to achieve its maximum potential
3. Economic Policies – Create an economic environment that allows for equitable distribution of
the resources received from optimal use of data.
4. Institutions – Put in place the right institutions for proper use of data and for checking the
misuse of data.

7. Farming in Kenya
Productivity of agricultural land has become a huge issue due to sustainability.
Land must be used in the most productive manner possible so as to be able to feed the growing
population of the world.
Many organisations are conducting surveys to understand the best crops to grow in different
areas of the country, so as to achieve maximum yield.
Data collection on the different varieties of crops grown in different areas, humidity, soil types and
other factors will help producers to develop the best solutions for optimal production.
Such data will enable farmers to develop themselves through optimal crop yields and best prices
in the market, thus leveraging on data for improvement of people’s lives and livelihoods.

8. Data for Better Lives
This is just one example of how data can be used to improve lives of the world’s citizenry and
there are numerous other instances of how it can be used to foster better use of resources and
better returns for individuals involved in various trades across the world.
Therefore, the optimal use, sharing and reuse of data can help to develop the most
underprivileged areas and improves lives of the people living in these areas.

9. END
LETS CAPITALIZE ON DATA TO BETTER OUR LIVES