Services

Our vision is to empower people through data. We strongly believe that data-driven approaches can provide impactful solutions to a wide range of sustainable development challenges. We endorse the Digital Principles and believe that digital technologies are a key platform and medium to advance international development. For this reason, data and digital technologies play a critical role in our services and our efforts to deliver excellence for our clients.

© Jono Erasmus Photography jono.erasmus88@gmail.com | istockphoto Our Digital for Development (D4D) expertise brings together the need for change in international development with digital technology solutions. We speak the language of beneficiaries, partners, donors, and digital technology solutions providers. This allows us to connect key stakeholders to develop the best digital solutions for local needs, balancing high-tech solutions with low-tech realities in the countries where we work. We take financial, technical, and organizational sustainability strongly into account in the projects we implement. We currently work in two primary areas:

Data-Driven Services

Many organizations are struggling to manage their data, particularly when data are derived from multiple sources and when data quality management is required. We advise and support our clients along the entire data value chain, from data collection to use. For this purpose, we collect, transform, and analyze complex datasets to improve decision-making. Here are some examples of our work:

  • In Ethiopia, we developed an open-source digital mapping system to monitor public institution electrification initiatives and their respective installed or planned solar PV systems. The collected data is regularly uploaded into a national database and is accessible via a map view. A dashboard provides additional insights into the data. The system aims at visualizing the electrification progress and making information accessible for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to coordinate future activities.
  • For the global steering unit of the GIZ’s program “Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security” (ProSoil), we developed a data warehouse and analytics suite to provide near real-time information to decision makers. The data was sourced from contributing countries, aggregated, and aligned with program indicators. The project also included the development of a web-based climate monitoring tool to quantify the effects of climate-focused programming.
  • In collaboration with the University of Rwanda Centre for GIS, we are developing a curriculum to train junior data scientists in machine learning for earth observation (ML4EO) methods. The objective is to foster the field of ML4EO in Rwanda, and build capacity and concrete solutions for applying ML4EO in the agricultural sector, with the cooperation of private sector actors.
  • For the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), we are working with Exxeta AG, to develop an AI-supported web-crawler that analyzes organizations’ websites on their contributions toward sustainable development goals. The selected organizations are subsequently invited to join a dedicated online platform to connect, exchange ideas, and work towards the SDGs.
  • In Eastern Africa, we mapped available data sources to measure cross-border displacement due to drought and developed a modeling approach to forecasting the mobility response of pastoral communities within the context of future climate change and variability. The team also supported the partners in deploying the model and translating analytical findings into policy recommendations for member states.

ICT POLICY

Public bodies worldwide are adjusting their strategies to capitalize on opportunities and curb the risks of digital transformation. We support governments and regional and international organizations in the development and implementation of ICT-related strategies and in developing policy and regulatory frameworks. This includes the implementation of subsequent changes, for instance, creating or expanding digital services for citizens and the private sector.

  • On a global scale, we are preparing the ground for an international alliance for a human-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence. This will contribute to the development of an ethical framework to enable the growth of AI in accordance with universally recognized values.
  • As part of the Policy and Regulation Initiative Digital Africa (PRIDA), we support the African Union Commission in becoming more active in global and regional internet governance, developing and operationalizing their Digital Transformation Strategy for the continent, and harmonizing digital policy in Africa.
  • On the African continent, we supported the SMART Africa Alliance and the Member States in the development of two regional blueprints: on AI to boost economic and social development, and on E-payments for the facilitation of digital trade across Africa.
  • In Rwanda, we supported the government in the development of a national strategy for emerging technologies.

Partners

We are interested in expanding our network of specialized technical partners to complement our services and to jointly develop and test innovative approaches and new technologies. We offer our expertise in international cooperation projects in all our business areas where proven digital technologies are scaled-up and new solutions can be piloted. Please contact us if you are a digital technology solution provider interested in partnering on joint projects as a consortium member or subcontractor.

Experts

Get in touch with us if you are an independent expert interested in short or long-term assignment in our projects. We are always open to working with Digital for Development experts with international experience who specialize in one of our subject areas.

  • Opportunities in projects – Are you open to a position on one of our projects on a fixed-term basis, or would you like to be considered for short-term project work?
  • In-house opportunities – Are you interested in working with us at our headquarters as a freelancer or permanent staff member?
  • Research opportunities – Are you a researcher or PhD student interested in piloting digital solutions or investigating their impact?

In addition to technical expertise, we generally require English skills to a professional level and, ideally, fluency in one or more other languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or Arabic.

Are you interested in researching or testing innovative approaches and new technologies? Contact us to discuss potential joint ventures:

Contact

Dr. Linda Kleemann


  

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