Today, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) held a meeting with representatives from ESRI Eastern Africa to discuss the development of a Kenya Private Sector Data Hub. This innovative initiative aims to integrate real-time Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing data to support decision-making and strategic planning across various industries. Dr. Jackson Koimbori, KEPSA’s Senior Circular Economy and Climate Change Coordinator led the discussion on behalf of KEPSA, while ESRI Eastern Africa was represented by Ms. Latimar Amukohe, the Solutions Engineer, and Ms. Deborah Kwamboka, the Industry Lead.

During the meeting, the ESRI Eastern Africa team presented their existing data hub solutions, showcasing their capabilities and benefits. They emphasized how such a hub could significantly enhance data mining and analytics, offering KEPSA members unparalleled insights into market trends, environmental impacts, and socio-economic factors. Ms. Latimar Amukohe and Ms. Deborah Kwamboka both detailed the technical aspects of the hub, highlighting its capacity to incorporate real-time GIS and remote sensing data, which could transform how businesses in Kenya operate and strategize.

Dr. Koimbori expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the data hub to drive sustainable development and economic growth. He highlighted that access to real-time data would enable private sector entities to make more informed decisions, thereby fostering innovation and resilience. The integration of GIS data could also aid in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, aligning with KEPSA’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the circular economy.

The collaboration between KEPSA and ESRI Eastern Africa marks a significant step towards establishing a cutting-edge data hub for Kenya’s private sector. This initiative promises to not only enhance data-driven decision-making but also open new avenues for monetizing data as a valuable resource. The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to further explore the technical and commercial aspects of the project, aiming to launch a pilot phase in the near future.