The Togo Data Lab (the Lab) is a partnership with the Government of Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation (MoDET) to accelerate the country’s transformation into a leader of publicly-led data science innovation. The initiative is part of CEGA’s Data Science for Development (DS4D) portfolio, which focuses on advancing the use of data science and artificial intelligence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to drive sustainable development.

By demonstrating the value of integrating data science tools into government decision-making in one ministry, the Lab aims to scale its efforts to other critical sectors like health, education, and environmental management. The Lab plans to expand to new geographies over time, supporting the growth of a peer-learning network in West Africa that advances data science for development and strengthens regional resilience to global challenges like climate change and poverty.

Objective

The Togo Data Lab aims to establish a sustainable data science function within the Togolese government, empowering MoDET to integrate data-driven insights into policy-making and service delivery. The lab will harness novel, unstructured data sources like satellite imagery, text, and mobile metadata to address key policy challenges and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Areas of Focus

• Building Local Capacity: The Togo Data Lab trains both international and local data scientists in the latest tools and technologies. These experts will be embedded within the national government, seeding a long-term, self-sustaining data science capability.
• Data Science for Policy: In its first year, the Lab will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to integrate MOSAIKS—a CEGA-developed, low-cost satellite imagery tool—into decision-making processes. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity and policy in rural areas by predicting crop yields and other critical outcomes.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: The Lab will provide technical expertise and insights across multiple ministries in Togo, supporting efforts in agriculture, health, and digital public services.

Collaborators

The Togo Data Lab is led by Togo’s Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation, Cina Lawson, and supported by CEGA-affiliated faculty and data scientists. It benefits from the technical leadership of our Scientific Director Tamma Carleton. The initiative is supported by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, the Fund for Innovations in Development, and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).