A data lab to transform governance and enhance public service delivery in Togo

Advancements in data science and artificial intelligence offer significant potential for improving decision-making and governance but their adoption in low- and middle-income countries has been limited. Data science encompasses all aspects of data processing, from collection and modeling to the generation of insights. Challenges such as underinvestment in data infrastructure and the use of outdated or incomplete data constrain the ability to leverage these technologies fully.

In Africa, digital transformation is progressing steadily. In Togo for instance internet usage increased from 4% in 2011 to 35% in 2021 (World Bank, 2021) with internet penetration projected to reach 66% by 2024 (Statista, 2024). Togo’s digital initiatives align with its aim to position itself as a regional logistics and services hub. Institutions such as the Togo Digital Agency and the integration of digital components into a majority of its development projects highlight the country's growing emphasis on digitalization and data use.

This context provides an opportunity to strengthen the role of data science in public service delivery and governance supporting more informed and effective decision-making processes.

The Togo Data Lab through a partnership between the Center for Effective Global Action and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation aims to address capacity gaps by introducing Multi-task Observation using Satellite Imagery & Kitchen Sinks (MOSAIKS). With support from the University of California Santa Barbara’s Environmental Markets Lab (emLab), the Lab seeks to enhance the Ministry’s ability to use data science in public service delivery.

The project is structured kay actions:

• Targeting resources: Identifying needs to improve resource allocation
• Supporting policy development: Providing data to inform policy decisions
• Monitoring outcomes: Enabling ongoing evaluation to optimize program effectiveness

The Lab’s first application focuses on measuring agricultural productivity offering a practical starting point for Ministry staff to gain experience with MOSAIKS. The team will track progress through milestones such as staff training, tool development and stakeholder engagement. FID funding will support the recruitment of key staff, the creation of open-source training modules and the design of predictive models using agricultural survey data. This initiative seeks to build capacity for data-driven decision-making and strengthen Togo’s role in innovation.

Through the Data Lab initiative, the team envisions achieving the following outcomes:

• Enhanced collaboration: Increased inter-ministerial coordination to streamline decision-making processes.
• Improved data capabilities: Development of a robust data infrastructure system supported by open-source training materials and a fully staffed data science team.
• Actionable insights: Use of a dashboard to visualize predictions and a model to measure agricultural productivity enabling targeted dissemination to the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Evidence-based policy: Greater use of data-driven insights in agricultural policy to identify cost-effective programs and interventions that benefit rural communities.

The Lab’s activities, including stakeholder engagement tailored training and virtual dissemination, will help ensure these results influence decision-making and contribute to lasting knowledge-sharing collaborations. The outcomes will improve policies for rural Togolese citizens and enable the identification of further applications for MOSAIKS.

This initiative will serve as a model for similar efforts in other countries contributing to the broader integration of data science in public governance.