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epidemics. Some African countries are collecting GISinformation regularly in surveys and censuses and are usingthat geospatial information to map poverty as well aseducation and health needs and resources. Theseapplications, which have already been successful in a fewAfrican countries, can also benefit other countries in thecontinent.Other satellite imagery applications, like addressingvegetation fires, optimizing irrigation solutions andmonitoring air pollution, monitoring biodiversity and illegalpoaching, may also be useful in Africa.Share data more effectivelyTools to share data online have been developed; what isneeded now is to make them more widely available. In theshort-run countries should be encouraged and supportedto improve their national statistical and geospatial websites, establishing data portals and using existing tools forimproving access and use of data. Agreements with nonofficialdata carriers – private sector, scientific institutions,data-producing NGOs and research institutes - will have toensure sustainable data streams for monitoring.High-quality impact-evaluation approaches are beingcarried out in Africa but at a limited scale – policy-makingwould benefit from more studies of this kindAs more and more data are available, more opportunitiesexist to properly evaluate the impact of policies. However,the emphasis on massive data collection can also drawaway resources from impact-evaluation exercises, whichhave already been insufficient with traditional forms ofdata. Impact evaluation studies need to be planned fromthe start of new policies and programs so that propermonitoring mechanisms can be established. Impact–evaluation remains expensive and takes time to produceresults. More research will be needed to identify faster andcheaper procedures.Country ownership and capacity building will be key toimplement data innovationsMany African countries actively engage in piloting andimplementing innovative approaches for improved dataprocesses and evidence-based policy making. But researchinstitutes and universities are still playing a leading role inusing unconventional data approaches. Also, mostinnovations in the realm of big data are being done byresearchers outside Africa. African researchers and nationaloffices need the capacity to pursue data innovations intheir own countries.167Further quick wins can be harnessed by starting campaigns,by calling for solutions to data challenges and byencouraging data-driven innovations to address countryspecificproblems (like systematic releases of cell phonedata to researchers). In the medium-term, mechanismsshould be put in place to help countries identify theirpriorities for research and development. These prioritiesshould then feed into the work programmes of regionaland international agencies.One should not lose sight of that fact that an importantreason why these novel approaches are being explored isthat many of the statistical systems in Africa are broken:out of necessity practitioners need to look elsewhere fordata they need. Yet to inform decision-makers, and tomonitor the SDGs, solid statistical systems will still beneeded. From this perspective, it is not only important tostimulate innovation but also to incorporate innovations inexisting statistical systems and modernizing them withtools like GIS, mobile data collection, open data portals,etc.Countries need access to independent advice on newtechnologies and tools and their relative strengths anddrawbacksAt present, too many research and development prioritiesare determined from the top down, rather than the bottomup. Further, where innovations, for example new softwaretools, are developed and disseminated by internationalagencies, countries find it difficult to evaluate and assesstheir suitability. Often the tools are promoted as part of anaid or technical assistance package and countries may feelobliged to take them up if they want the other parts of thepackage. Countries need access to independent advice onnew technologies and tools and their relative strengths anddrawbacks – a catalogue of innovations and a repository ofusers’ reviews by theme/area of application may be usefulto inform countries on different alternatives. Such acatalogue and users’ reviews could also provideinformation on how well freely available innovations are anadequate substitute for commercial ones. Innovations thathave been identified and documented also need aprogramme of training and technical assistance toaccelerate adoption.Support data innovations with stable, regular andpredictable fundingA substantial number of developing countries have manycalls on very limited resources. For some time they havebeen dependent on financial and technical aid to providefor investments in capacity as well as to meet the costs ofsome statistical activities. While it is desirable to increase