The failure to be a major player in the new data economy may be one of the most pressing issues facing the African continent. Statistical literacy is weak at all levels in our society. Public officials, decisionmakers and analysts in private sector organisations, the media, and citizens oft en struggle with basic statistical concepts.

But we require basic skills in data literacy to make better life choices, from measuring health risks to making financial decisions, understanding how elected public officials are allocating public funding, and more. Ultimately, a data-savvy citizenry is crucial to an effectively functioning democracy.