KEPSA today, 10^th April 2025, held a meeting with representatives from DevGlobal, setting the stage for a transformative partnership that will elevate data-driven decision-making in Kenya. The meeting brought together Matt Manning, Founder of DevGlobal; David Gadsden, Senior Advisor for Conservation and Geospatial at DevGlobal Partners (formerly of Esri); and Joyce Kariuki from DevAfrique a partner organisation of DevGlobal. KEPSA was represented by Dr. Jackson Kinyanjui Koimbori, the Head of KEPSA Consult and Senior Circular Economy and Climate Change Coordinator. Together, the teams discussed and cemented a collaborative agreement to co-develop a cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) Data Hub to support strategic planning across sectors.

The GIS Data Hub will serve as a centralized digital platform that integrates and visualizes data to empower the over 2 million KEPSA members and development partners with real-time, actionable insights. This will revolutionize how decisions are made across key sectors such as trade, agriculture, environment, health, water, transport and the digital economy. Through this hub, users will be able to access and analyze spatial data, understand development trends and leverage insights to drive innovation and sustainable growth.

With this agreement between KEPSA and DevGlobal, KEPSA is now well-positioned to host the next AI Summit in Kenya. The current AI Summit of 2025 was held in Rwanda under the convening power of GIZ, but KEPSA’s ongoing leadership in convening stakeholders, shaping policy, and championing digital innovation—particularly through programs such as the Digital Ajira—puts it in a strong position to lead efforts toward hosting the 2026 AI Summit in Kenya. This move would further reinforce Kenya’s status as a digital innovation hub in Africa.

Beyond supporting private sector competitiveness, the GIS Data Hub will become a critical tool for advancing research, monitoring development indicators, and enhancing policy implementation. It aligns with KEPSA’s commitment to accelerating climate-smart development, enhancing data transparency, and promoting evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Koimbori reiterated KEPSA’s commitment to co-creating tools that are responsive to member needs, with a strong focus on inclusivity, technology, and environmental sustainability.

As the partnership unfolds, the GIS Data Hub is expected to become a regional reference point for data excellence. It will offer a robust foundation for collaboration between businesses, government agencies, researchers, and investors—driving forward KEPSA’s vision of a digitally enabled, green, and inclusive economy.