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By Mercy Kachenge
Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya has officially inaugurated the National Planning Committee for the 2026 Global Data Festival, marking a major milestone as the country prepares to host the high-profile international event in June 2026.
The festival, which brings together global leaders in data, technology, and development, will be co-hosted by the Government of Kenya, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA).
The ceremony, held on Africa Statistics Day, brought together senior government officials, diplomats, development partners, UN agencies, and representatives from civil society and the private sector.
Dr. Macdonald Obudho, Director-General of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), opened the event with a reflection on Kenya’s journey to securing the hosting rights.
He recalled the intense bidding process that saw Kenya evaluated alongside countries such as Botswana and Ghana. “When the evaluation team visited KNBS, I told them boldly: you may go on to Ghana, but understand that you have already found the next host country,” he said.
“Today confirms that confidence, we are the hosts.” Kenya had previously bid to host the UN World Data Forum but narrowly lost out to Saudi Arabia. Soon after, the country was appointed to the influential UN High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity Building, one of only five African members.
Kenya now co-chairs the group alongside Albania, positioning the country at the heart of global statistical governance. Dr Obudho noted that while Saudi Arabia is already far advanced in preparations for its November 2025 forum, Kenya must accelerate its pace: “The standard has been set. We must go beyond what was done in the UK and Uruguay, the past Data Fest hosts. And we are the people who must make the difference.”
Reflecting on Kenya’s rapid technological transformation, the DG highlighted past achievements, including the country’s fully digital 2019 census. He emphasized that partnerships with agencies like the Kenya Space Agency are crucial as Kenya integrates satellite technology and advanced digital tools into future national surveys.
“Census is the most important statistical activity of any nation. This festival will help us strengthen systems, build expertise, and prepare for even better censuses,” he said. The 2026 Global Data Festival will run concurrently with the Kenya Space Expo and Conference, enabling collaboration between earth observation experts, data scientists, AI innovators, and policymakers.
Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Dr. Boniface Makokha said the festival will serve as a pivotal opportunity for Kenya. He described the global moment as one of “complexity and opportunity,” citing climate shocks, food insecurity, persistent health threats, and the accelerating advance of AI.
“It’s not a shortage of ideas that challenges us, but execution at scale, guided by strong governance, integrity, and values,” the PS said. “The Global Data Festival comes at exactly the right time.”
He outlined four key priorities for Kenya as host, driving investment into sustainable data and space systems for development and resilience; advancing inclusive and equitable data governance rooted in integrity and accountability; showcasing practical solutions, from AI tools to citizen-generated data that strengthen climate response, food security, and public health and building skills and capacity, especially among youth, for a rapidly digitizing world.
“These priorities align with Kenya’s commitment to evidence-based planning, digital transformation, and inclusive growth,” he said.
The PS emphasized that the committee’s mandate is both simple and ambitious: “To ensure that Kenya delivers a one-of-a-kind global masterpiece.” He reaffirmed the government’s full support through strategic guidance and policy coordination.
The PS stated a powerful reflection on Kenya’s identity as both an ancient and modern innovation hub. “In Kenya, where humanity first learned to make tools, we now gather to shape the technologies that safeguard our collective future,” he said.
“Where our ancestors innovated for survival, we now innovate for resilience, prosperity and sustainability.” He then declared the National Planning Committee for the 2026 Global Data Festival officially inaugurated.
