The program began with the data science training, followed by experiential learning through the fellowship scheme, and aimed to build a robust data ecosystem that empowers communities and drives impactful solutions for sustainable development. The initiative’s primary objective was to build data capacity by strengthening the skills and capabilities of data professionals, enabling them to tackle pressing challenges.
The Africa CAN training was designed to provide learners with a comprehensive and practical introduction to data science in climate and health, covering data collection, analysis, visualization, machine learning, communicating with and about data, cutting-edge tools, ethics, governance, and more. It was delivered through a mix of live virtual sessions, recorded lectures, assignments, quizzes, and case studies. The training included diverse learners from government agencies, academia, the private sector, and civil society; learners were also mentored by experienced data scientists and instructors from the training providers. More than 700 data practitioners were trained in data science and its application in health, climate, and related topics over a three-year period.
The fellowship program, which provided data professionals with hands-on experience, was central to Africa CAN. Participants focused on identified, country-specific use cases, working with host institutions and sectoral experts to apply their knowledge and break new ground in the use of climate and health data. In doing so, they increased their data skills, boosting demand for data among public and social impact organizations, developing innovative solutions, and building the capacity of the organizations they worked with to use data more effectively in the future. The fellowship included practical project work, media training, and opportunities for Fellows to present their work at local, regional, and international events, aiming to produce a network of data professionals committed to sustainable development.