IASC - Informed decision making in Africa using data science storytelling

Informed decision-making is vital for solving Africa’s complex socio-economic and environmental concerns. Data science, paired with narrative, offers a powerful technique to translating raw data into useful insights for governments, corporations, and communities. This study analyzes the impact of data science storytelling in enhancing decision-making across many sectors, including climate adaptation, public health, artificial intelligence (AI) policy, real estate, and education. By synthesizing insights from multiple case studies, the study demonstrates how data visualisation, AI-driven analytics, and interactive tools such as Geographic Information
System (GIS) dashboards can facilitate a deeper understanding of issues such as antimicrobial resistance, weather forecasting, groundwater management, and real estate market dynamics. Storytelling has historically been a vital channel for knowledge transfer in African communities, and its integration with data science offers a more intuitive and impactful interpretation of complex datasets. This study highlights how African communities utilize storytelling to document and adapt to climate change, particularly in agro-pastoral contexts where recurring droughts and floods modify livelihoods. The study suggests techniques for embedding data storytelling into governance, business, and education to support sustainable development and equitable technological advancement in Africa.