Data...for What?!

In the fifth and last episode in the Interoperability series, we zero in on what sustainable technology actually means. After a prototype or dashboard is built and a program ends, what happens to the technology? Interoperability adds a new layer of complexity to this question. Connecting data and systems requires sustained investment in infrastructure, storage, hardware, software, and human capacity – often across multiple systems at once. A vulnerability in one system can impact the whole ecosystem. This episode discusses what we need to be thinking about to build technology that lasts.

In Episode 4 of Season 4 of the Data…for What?! Podcast, we turn to the growing intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and interoperability. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in public and private systems, the ability for data and technologies to work together – and to generate high-quality, usable training data – is more critical than ever. But these opportunities come with real trade-offs. This episode explores how choices around data storage, technical infrastructure, and system design shape access, scale, and the protection of citizens’ data rights. We’re joined by Jesse Wright, Project Lead for the Solid Project at the Open Data Institute, and Fernando Ferreyra, Director of Software Development at Development Gateway: An IREX Venture. Together, they unpack the geopolitical, legal, and technical implications of where data lives, and what it takes to build sustainable, interoperable, and future-proof AI-enabled systems. Credits Host: Beverley Hatcher-Mbu Producers: Wakini Njogu, Beverley Hatcher-Mbu, and Anna Chewter Editing/Mixing: Joseph Wagner and Wakini Njogu Theme Music: Mark Hatcher

In Episode 3 of Season 4 of the Data…for What?! Podcast, we examine the role interoperability plays in trust, safety, and elections. Recorded during 2024 – often described as the “Year of Global Elections” – this episode explores how digital systems for voter registration, verification, and results transmission shape public trust in electoral processes. While we’re publishing this conversation in 2026, the challenges discussed remain pressing: fragmented systems, data security risks, and limited public understanding of election technologies.

In Episode 2, we turn to the legal and regulatory foundations of interoperability. As data and systems become more interconnected, questions of data protection, enforcement, and cross-border data flows take centre stage. Joined by Immaculate Kassait, Kenya’s Data Protection Commissioner, and Lorrayne Porciuncula, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative, we explore legal interoperability, regulatory sandboxes, and how laws can both enable innovation and protect people in an increasingly data-driven world.

To kick off Season 4 of the 'Data...for What?!' podcast, we introduce interoperability from multiple viewpoints, acknowledging that most people consider interoperability within their sector/silo.

In episode 4, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” host Vanessa Goas and special guest Roshan Paul, Former Director of Leadership Practice & Climate Talent Initiative at IREX, discuss the Climate Talent Initiative, which is IREX’s first in-house climate program.

In episode 3, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” DGer Charlene Migwe-Kagume and special guest Leonida (Leo) Mutuku discusses LDRI’s early warning system, an AI tool that is being used to enable farmers to plan and manage their harvest more effectively by using local and global data on weather patterns, crop yields, etc.

In episode 2, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” host Vanessa Goas and special guests former DGer Joshua Mbai and Gilles Amadou Ouédraogo, Programme Management Officer for the Great Green Wall Accelerator at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, discuss the Great Green Wall Initiative, the Great Green Wall Observatory, and how the the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and DG are committed supporting new and ongoing efforts aimed at combating climate change.

In episode 1, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” Vanessa Goas and special guest Sebastian Öhmann, Advisor of the Data Economy Initiative inside the Global Project of Digital Transformation from GIZ, discuss data and digital transformation in relation to climate change adaptation and specifically focusing on climate finance.

In episode 4 of “Data…for What?!,” Beverley Hatcher-Mbu and special guests Shreeja Sen, Research Associate at IT for Change, and Dr. Melissa Omino, Acting Director at Strathmore University’s Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, discuss data governance and protection in India and Kenya.

Join DGer Beverley Hatcher-Mbu and special guest Irene Mwendwa, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Feminist Movement Building Program at Pollicy, for episode 3 of “Data…for What?!” During the episode, they discuss digital rights in non-Western contexts.

In episode 2 of “Data…for What?!” Beverley Hatcher-Mbu speaks with special guests Natalia Carfi and Swee Leng Harris about open data and data protection. Tune in now!

Kicking off season 2 of DG’s podcast, “Data…for What?!” Beverley Hatcher-Mbu spoke with special guest Sean Martin McDonald about the data governance landscape, models, and accountability.

We have come to the final episode of the current series, which focused on our new strategy. In this episode, Josh discussed digital transformation and emerging technologies with Annie Kilroy, Senior Associate, and Fernando Ferreyra, DG’s Director of Software Development. The conversation centered on sustainability and responsibility, what has changed in the technology landscape in the past decade, our approach to digital transformation, and how to continue prioritizing users. Related links from the conversation: DG's Aid Management Program Custom Landscape Assessment Methodology (CALM) A Deep Dive into 20 Years of Tech at DG Improving Land and Crop Use Data in Nigeria – The VIFAA Innovation Fund Best Practices in Developing Data Governance Frameworks Open Contracting Support & Training in Bandung, Indonesia Towards Full System Ownership: the Government of Ethiopia’s Journey to AMP Self-Reliance Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher. 

In this episode Josh talks to Charlene Migwe-Kagume about how we are approaching agriculture work in our new strategy. Agriculture is a space where DG has worked for a number of years, but how are we building on past experiences and our strengths to take this work forward? Josh and Charlene discuss digging deeper in agriculture and how innovation plays a role. Programs Discussed Visualizing Insights on Fertilizer for African Agriculture (VIFAA) Visualizing Information on Seeds Using Technology in Africa (TASAI-VISTA) Cashew-IN Platform Highlighting our Partners International Fertilizer Development Center AfricaFertilizer.org Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture The African Seed Access Index Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher. 

In this episode, we explore how DG is prioritizing our geographical focus in the coming years. Conversations with Vanessa Baudin Sanchez, Carmen Cañas, and Charlene Migwe-Kagume highlighted the opportunities and challenges of expanding our portfolio in Central America and deepening our work and partnerships in West, East, and Southern Africa. Jump to the Conversation Expanding to Central America – 7:14 Deepening work in East and Southern Africa – 13:20 Building onto DG's Work in West & Francophone Africa – 21:36 Digging Deeper The team mentioned a number of DG programs and processes during this conversation, you can learn more through the links below: DG's Custom Assessment Landscaping Methodology The Aid Management Program (AMP) Des Chiffres et Des Jeunes (DCDJ) Open contracting and procurement DG's learning culture Our agile approach Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher. 

In Episode 2 of Data…for What?!, Josh Powell met with experts from DG and IREX to discuss DG’s expansion into the education, media and disinformation, and youth sectors. The conversations explore the most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities for data and technology to positively impact these sectors and discuss how these trends are likely to play out in the years ahead. Based on these trends, the experts explain the unique fit for DG’s skills and specific opportunities for collaboration that align with the vision of DG’s partnership with IREX, which has a long and successful history working in each sector.  Jump Directly to the Conversations:3:26 – Educationwith DG’s Aminata Camara Badji, who is the Senegal-based Regional Program Lead in West Africa and IREX’s Becky Ward, who is a UK-based Senior Technical Advisor for education in Africa, Europe/Eurasia, Middle East, and North Africa.26:57 – Media/Disinformationwith DG’s Annie Kilroy, who is a Senior Associate based in Washington, DC and IREX’s Tetiana Karas, a Senior Program Manager based in Kyiv, Ukraine.  50:13 – YouthWith DG’s Principal Consultant and West Africa Regional Manager, Vanessa Baudin Sanchez, who is based in Dakar, Senegal and Nina Oduro, who was IREX’s Senior Advisor for Youth and Leadership.  Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In July, Development Gateway (DG) launched our new Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 to 2025. This plan builds on twenty-two years of project implementation experience and policy engagement around the globe. To help contextualize the new Strategic Plan, we are launching a podcast series called Data… for What?! This series we talk to DGers throughout the organization - as well as collaborators within our strategic partner, IREX - about how and why we prioritized the various elements of the new strategy. In this episode we talk to Kristin Lord, President and CEO of IREX about how our partnership fits into the Strategic Plan; and to Aleks Dardeli, Executive Vice President of IREX and Chair of DG’s Board of Directors, about the process of putting the Plan together at this opportune, yet precarious, global moment. Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.