ISI - Regional webinar: Unlocking the Power of Statistics for Africa’s Sustainable Development: Applied Solutions from Emerging Statisticians

Mouhammadou Dia is a final-year Data Analyst specialising in Data Science at ENSAE Dakar, with skills in data analysis, statistical modelling, and machine learning. He is passionate about leveraging data to solve real-world problems and aspires to become a biostatistician, with a particular interest in health data analytics and socially impactful projects. In addition to his academic work, Mouhammadou holds leadership roles: he is the General Manager of the school’s Junior Enterprise, overseeing student projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and the CEO of FATI, demonstrating his commitment to turning innovative ideas into practical solutions. Known for his analytical rigor, project management abilities, and leadership skills, Mouhammadou DIA combines technical expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset to create meaningful impact in the data field.

Perkins Watambwa is an Associate Statistician at CeSHHAR (Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research Zimbabwe). With extensive experience in designing and implementing multi-stage sampling strategies for national household, individual and enterprise surveys at the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) where he served as a Senior Sampling Statistician. He also has an in depth understanding of estimating and calibration of sample weights including sampling errors calculation. He is a Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe where he teaches Statistical Inference, Deep learning, Machine learning, Time series analysis and Econometrics. Perkins is a PhD candidate at the University of Zimbabwe, specializing in data science and survey methodology. His research focuses on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and traditional survey methods to strengthen Africa’s statistical infrastructure. His PhD research is anchored on making reliable inferences from organic data (naturally occurring information) for policy making. Perkins' multidisciplinary expertise spans Applied Mathematics, Financial Engineering, and advanced certifications in Investment Management and Risk Analysis. His international credentials include the UK Office for National Statistics' Data Science Accelerator Program, Leslie Kish International Fellowship for the University of Michigan's Sampling Programme for Survey Statisticians (SPSS), and DHS Survey Sampling Training.

Marie Brigitte Makuate is a seasoned geospatial data expert, environmental project coordinator, and researcher with over nine years of experience working across Central and West Africa. She currently serves as a Researcher at the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation in Cameroon, where she focuses on spatial data infrastructure, environmental modeling, and applied geospatial technologies for sustainable development.

Marie's expertise spans GIS, remote sensing, disaster risk reduction, environmental impact assessment, and AI integration with Earth observation. Her work has supported major regional and international initiatives, including collaborations with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Autodesk, UNECA, Humanitarian Openstreetmap Team (HOT) and the World Resources Institute. She has contributed to multi-country geospatial research, forest landscape restoration, and climate vulnerability analysis.

She is also the founder of Geospatial Girls and Kids (GGK), a pan-African initiative promoting geotech education among youth and women through hands-on training, hackathons, mentorship and webinar series. Her academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Science from AFRIGIST, a professional Master’s in Environmental Impact Assessment, and she is currently pursuing a PhD focused on site restoration modeling using GIS and remote sensing.

Marie has been recognised as a TechWomen Emerging Leader by the U.S. Department of State and was named one of Geospatial World’s 50 Rising Stars. She is a published researcher and an active voice in advancing the role of geospatial science in climate resilience, gender inclusion, and sustainable land management in Africa.