Afrobarometer Builds Data Skills In West African Civil Society And Media
Forty civil society representatives and journalists in West Africa have gained skills in data analysis and interpretation in an intensive Afrobarometer capacity building workshop in Abuja, Nigeria.
The five-day training programme equipped 20 members of civil society organisations (CSOs) and 20 journalists to use public attitude data in their advocacy and reporting, furthering Afrobarometer’s mission to amplify African voices in policy discussions.
The pan-African research network introduced participants to its mission and methodology, laying a solid foundation in fundamental data concepts. Participants explored Afrobarometer’s rigorous sampling techniques and honed their skills in interpreting various data visualisations. Other training days centered on mastering Afrobarometer’s free online data analysis (ODA) tool. Through a mix of individual work, group discussions, and collaborative exercises, participants developed practical skills in data exploration, analysis, and interpretation.
Both CSOs and journalists benefit from strengthened foundations in research and policy analysis, enriching their work with data-driven insights.
“Even when data is available, there is often a gap in its use for policy and decision-making,” said Jason Owen, Afrobarometer’s capacity building manager (advanced track). “Afrobarometer aims to bridge this gap through its capacity-building programme for stakeholders, including civil society organisations. This programme empowers partners to access, analyse, and interpret data, enabling them to advocate for policy positions that reflect the views of ordinary citizens.”
“Journalists have a huge influence on public narratives and are often the key drivers of public debate,” added Dominique Dryding, capacity building manager (basic track). “Knowing this, Afrobarometer has prioritised training journalists to help increase data-driven reporting and ensure that citizens’ voices inform those national conversations.”
Participants expressed enthusiasm about their newly acquired skills. Jide Ojo, a development consultant, described the training as “impactful.”
“Through this workshop, I am now able to better understand and analyse data, and through the ODA, I can run my data from Afrobarometer sources and use it extensively in my development consultations,” Ojo said.
Sally Jarju, a news producer for the Gambia Radio & Television Service, added, “As a news producer, I didn’t know how to analyse and interpret Afrobarometer data and charts, and through this workshop, now I am able to do so,” she said. “I plan to share this knowledge and new skill of using the ODA in analysing and interpreting data from their website with my fellow media colleagues back in the Gambia.”
The workshop is part of Afrobarometer’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Africa’s young researchers. By empowering CSOs and journalists with data literacy skills, Afrobarometer aims to enhance the quality of public discourse and decision-making processes throughout Africa. As Afrobarometer continues to expand its capacity-building initiatives, it remains dedicated to fostering a more informed, engaged, and democratic Africa.
