Trusted data key to Africa’s growth

by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG – AFRICA’S ambitions to accelerate digital transformation and achieve sustainable development goals could be undermined unless governments, businesses and institutions strengthen accountability mechanisms and invest in trusted data systems, according to technology and governance expert Dennesa Loregnard.

Speaking at the Pan African Data Centres Conference in Johannesburg, the founder of The Loregnard Group argued that while investment in digital infrastructure is growing rapidly across the continent, lasting success will depend on transparency, effective governance and the ability to track commitments from conception to delivery.

Addressing delegates during a presentation on decision-making and water accountability, Loregnard said many organisations focus heavily on announcing projects and securing funding but pay insufficient attention to monitoring outcomes and ensuring promises are fulfilled.

“The tracking and tracing of commitments is just as important as the commitments themselves,” she said.

According to Loregnard, accountability must be embedded throughout the entire project lifecycle, including procurement, funding approvals, implementation and performance monitoring.

Weak governance structures and inadequate oversight continue to expose major initiatives to inefficiencies, delays and corruption risks, despite significant investment being channelled into development programmes.

She stressed that data, while essential, is not a solution on its own. Instead, the reliability of information, the integrity of systems and the quality of decision-making processes determine whether data can drive meaningful progress.

“We can collect as much data as we want, but the question remains: who is interpreting that data and how trustworthy are the systems behind it?” Loregnard said.

She advocated a results-driven approach to technology deployment, encouraging organisations to define desired outcomes before designing implementation strategies.

By working backwards from clear objectives, institutions can identify weaknesses, governance gaps and operational risks before projects are expanded.

Loregnard warned that many organisations are scaling digital and infrastructure programmes without establishing the governance frameworks needed to sustain long-term growth. She described this as one of the greatest risks confronting Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, citing growing demands from younger generations for greater transparency and institutional accountability.

As demand for digital services, data infrastructure and public-sector innovation accelerates, Loregnard said Africa’s future success will depend not only on technology and investment but on trusted data, responsible governance and effective execution from the outset.

– CAJ News