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Data...for What?!

Development Gateway: An IREX Venture

In Development Gateway: An IREX Venture's podcast “Data…for What?!,” we explore topical issues at the intersection of global development and technological development. In our podcast, we dive deep into the data and digital landscape and how these impact everything from agriculture to education to global and local law.

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  • 18 episodes
  • Avg 34 min
  • English

Episodes 18

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  • S4 · E5
    January 26 · 28 min

    Episode 5, Season 4 | What Sustainable Technology Actually Means

    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 eco

  • S4 · E4
    January 19 · 26 min

    Episode 4, Season 4 |The Place of AI in Creating Interoperable Systems

    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

  • S4 · E3
    January 12 · 36 min

    Episode 3, Season 4 | The Role Interoperability Plays in Trust, Safety, and Elections

    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

  • S4 · E2
    Dec 15, 2025 · 35 min

    Episode 2, Season 4 | Who Governs the Data? Navigating Legal Structures in Interoperable Systems

    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 a

  • S4 · E1
    Dec 8, 2025 · 33 min

    Episode 1, Season 4 | Defining Interoperability

    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.

  • S3 · E2
    Aug 13, 2024 · 21 min

    Episode 2, Season 3 | The Great Green Wall: How Data Can Advance One of Africa’s Most Ambitious Efforts to Combat Climate Change

    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.

  • S1 · E5
    Sep 20, 2022 · 43 min

    Episode 5, Season 1 | Exploring Digital Transformation & Emerging Technology

    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

  • S1 · E4
    Aug 29, 2022 · 32 min

    Episode 4, Season 1 | Digging Deeper in Agriculture

    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

  • S1 · E3
    Aug 23, 2022 · 37 min

    Episode 3, Season 1 | Geography: Expanding & Deepening DG’s Regional Footprint

    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 & Francopho

  • S1 · E2
    Aug 16, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min

    Episode 2, Season 1 | “Data…for What?!:” Expanding into Education, Media/Disinformation & Youth

    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 collaboratio

  • S1 · E1
    Aug 9, 2022 · 45 min

    Introducing: Data… for What?!

    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

Showing 1–18 of 18 episodes