On Africa Statistics Day, Tuesday, 18 November 2025, Kenya officially launched the National Planning Committee for the upcoming 2026 Global Data Festival, marking a major milestone as the country prepares to host one of the world’s leading convenings on data for development. Organized by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) in collaboration with partners and hosted by the Government of Kenya through the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the Festival will take place from June 2–5, 2026. The event aims to bring together global data communities around one shared mission:
using data and emerging technologies to deliver real-world impact.
The Festival is supported by a vast network of partners, including UNFPA, KEPSA, Statistics Sweden (SCB), and the SDGs Kenya Forum, among others, underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening data ecosystems for sustainable development.
The 2026 Festival will be the third edition, following earlier gatherings in Bristol (2018) and Uruguay (2023). This year’s programme will also feature the 3rd Kenya Space Expo and Conference, integrated within the Festival to spotlight advancements in Earth observation, space science, satellite innovation, and geospatial technologies that support national and global development priorities.
A key highlight of the launch was the panel session, graced by high-level leaders across the data and technology landscape. Speakers included Jenna Slotin, CEO of GPSDD; Brigadier Hillary B. Kosgei, Ag. Director of the Kenya Space Agency; and Macdonald Obudho, Director General of KNBS. Additional panelists represented the State Department for Economic Planning and UNFPA, offering diverse perspectives on the role of data, space technology, and partnerships in shaping the 2026 Festival.
Representing the TEEB AgriFood project at the meeting were Monica Wanjiru and Rosemary Okello. For the team, the Global Data Festival provides a strategic platform to showcase the project’s work on TEEB AgriFood data systems, natural capital integration, geospatial analytics, scenario modelling, and true value accounting. The team intends to explore submitting a session proposal, potentially a panel, exhibition, or interactive demo, to highlight how data-driven approaches can transform agri-food systems in Kenya and across the region.
As planning continues, the TEEB AgriFood team will remain engaged with the festival organizers and partners to ensure that Kenya’s leadership in nature positive, data-driven decision making is prominently featured on the global stage.
Article by Monica Chuchu