The Global Data Festival is the Global Partnership’s flagship event, bringing together the international data for development community to connect, prototype, and share ideas on how data can help tackle pressing challenges and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. 

It’s designed to strengthen partnerships, surface practical solutions, and build momentum across diverse data communities, from practitioners and researchers to funders and policymakers.

After previous editions in Bristol (2018) and Uruguay (2023), the Festival comes to Nairobi in June 2026, creating a space to learn from each other, align ambitions for the future, and turn collaboration into action.

Kenya 2026

Join us in Nairobi for the next Global Data Festival, together with the Kenya Space Expo & Conference. 
Nairobi landscape with text about the event in June

From 2-5 June 2026, Nairobi will become a global stage for shared missions in Kenya, as the Government of Kenya hosts two complementary events side by side: the Global Data Festival and the Kenya Space Expo & Conference (KSEC).

The joint event is a shared stage where Kenya will lead a global conversation on how space intelligence, data, technology and innovation can shape a fair, equitable and resilient future. Leaders, innovators, and communities from around the world will come together to showcase and deliberate on a bold, collective agenda. They will leave Nairobi equipped with new connections, ideas, practical tools, and plans for a shared vision that serves humanity.

Visit the event page for more information.

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Previous events

Festival de Datos | Data for Development Festival 2023 | Punta del Este, Uruguay

555 attendees from 62 countries, representing 274 organizations gathered in Punta del Este, Uruguay, November 2023 for the Festival de Datos. The event successfully brought together the data communities and fostered new collaborations, innovations, and opportunities for learning and exchange. 

Read stories from session hosts, attendees, and partners here. 

 

Data for Development Festival 2018 | Bristol, UK

The Global Partnership’s first Data for Development Festival brought together 400 delegates in Bristol in March, 2018. The event provided an opportunity for the attendees to participate in numerous thematic events, network with the global data for development community, meet representatives of the Global Partnership’s new Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Group, and shape the partnership’s future. 

Read more here.

Festival highlights

Want to know more? Get in touch

Lucy Pearson Headshot

Lucy Pearson

Associate Director of Strategy and Development
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Lizzy Hvide profile

Lizzy Hvide

Associate Director of Communications
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