Africa Utility Data Collaborative celebrates successful Kenya Pilot Program in partnership with Equitech Futures and Athena Infonomics

Nairobi, Kenya – February 15, 2025 – Equitech Futures collaborated with the Africa Utility Data Collaborative (AUDC), a groundbreaking partnership between the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), Athena Infonomics to support and help with the successful completion of its inaugural pilot program in Kenya. The initiative, supported by Equitech Futures' Applied Data Institute (ADI), worked with WASREB, the Kenyan Water Regulator and 8 Kenyan water utilities to help analyse datasets on customers, assets and finances to guide thinking on data quality improvements and decision making   

Effective water management remains one of the most crucial development priorities across Africa, with utilities facing complex challenges from climate change impacts, rapid urbanization, and evolving infrastructure needs. Despite significant progress in recent years, many utilities have been constrained by limited data capabilities, creating opportunities for technological innovation and capacity building to accelerate service improvements and resource optimization.

The pilot launched in fall 2024 with five Kenyan water utilities pursued a dual mission: creating a comprehensive data analytics platform that transforms raw utility data into actionable insights, while developing a pipeline of skilled data scientists equipped to address Africa's water infrastructure challenges.

“Africa Utility Data Collaborative (AUDC) is a bold step toward transforming how we, as water and sanitation utilities across the continent, harness data to improve services, enhance efficiency, and ensure sustainability” Moussa Seck, Director, Membership Services, AFWASA shared on the vision for AUDC. 

"The AUDC Kenya pilot demonstrates how data science can address critical infrastructure challenges in Africa," said Deepa Karthykeyan, Co-Founder and Partner at Athena Infonomics. "By standardizing data collection and creating data platforms, participating utilities now have powerful tools to make evidence-based decisions that directly impact water service delivery."

The pilot served as a proving ground for two interconnected hypotheses: that water utility data could be efficiently transformed into meaningful insights, and that a new generation of data scientists could be developed to sustain these capabilities within African institutions. Equitech Futures mobilized 16 data scientists through its Applied Data Institute program, creating a talent pipeline that worked alongside utility leaders to understand sector-specific challenges and develop targeted solutions.

"This pilot was as much about talent development as it was about technology," said Linda Kinning, Director of Ventures and Entrepreneurship faculty at Equitech Futures. "By connecting emerging data scientists with real utility challenges, we've demonstrated that building human capital and technical capacity must go hand-in-hand. These professionals have gained invaluable experience applying data science to critical infrastructure problems, while government stakeholders have experienced firsthand how data-driven decision-making can transform service delivery."

The pilot delivered four customized dashboards that visualize critical metrics including production volumes, billing efficiency, service coverage, and water quality compliance. These tools enable utility leaders to monitor performance in real-time and make data-driven decisions to improve service delivery. More importantly, the collaborative approach has created a foundation for sustained data capacity within participating utilities.

“I appreciated the entire process [of working with the AUDC] and how it has helped WASREB and the utilities to realize the importance of having operational data in the most granular form. This will ensure better quality of the ultimate decisions made at all levels of utility management. Having this information displayed through visualization at a central dashboard triggers a call to action.” reported Brenda Anzagi, Information Communication and Technology Manager of the Water Services Regulatory Board in Kenya. 

The AUDC initiative was inspired by the success of the California Data Collaborative (CaDC), which has helped California utilities respond to drought conditions through data-driven water management since 2015. The African adaptation addresses the continent's unique water management challenges through appropriate technology and local capacity building.

Following this successful pilot, AUDC plans to expand to additional utilities across Africa. 

For more information about AUDC and partnership opportunities, please contact Deepa Karthykeyan (deepa.k@athenainfonomics.com) and Moussa Seck (mseck@afwasa.org) 

About Africa Utility Data Collaborative

The Africa Utility Data Collaborative (AUDC) is a public-private partnership between the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) and Athena Infonomics that provides affordable, high-quality data analytics services to water utilities across Africa. AUDC helps utilities standardize data collection, improve data quality, enhance service planning, and develop fit-for-purpose solutions through knowledge sharing and technical expertise.

About Athena Infonomics

Athena Infonomics is an international data-driven advisory firm that works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development. The firm leverages innovative technologies and analytical approaches to address complex development challenges globally.

About Equitech Futures

Equitech Futures is a global fellowship and innovation lab dedicated to unlocking scientific and technological breakthroughs for impact. Through programs like the Applied Data Institute (ADI), Equitech Futures connects emerging data scientists with real-world projects that address critical global development challenges.