Abstract

Africa’s data challenge is fundamentally institutional rather than technical. The paper speaks on the core issue which is whether governments have “the right information at the right time to make decisions that improve people’s lives.” Bridging the gap between available and required data demands integrated national data ecosystems, shared methodologies, and collaborative governance. Kenya’s experience on using VGI and alternative data sources for official statistics and SDG monitoring demonstrates how alternative geospatial data sources—Earth observation, administrative datasets, and volunteer geographic information—can be combined with official statistics to strengthen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) monitoring, particularly for SDG 11.
To address the spatial nature of urban sustainability, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) established a multi agency Technical Working Committee (TWC) on Spatial Data and Statistics. The committee brought together key institutions including the Survey of Kenya, Kenya Space Agency, DRSRS, SDHUD, IEBC, KRB, KIBO, and the Council of Governors. Through this collaboration, KNBS successfully computed SDG Indicators 11.2.1 (access to public transport), 11.3.1 (land consumption vs. population growth), and 11.7.1 (public open space) using authoritative geospatial information, population statistics, satellite imagery, land cover data, and internationally recognized methodologies.
The paper emphasizes that “the availability of current and authoritative data strengthens the quality, credibility and reliability of the computing and monitoring SDG indicators.” Each institution contributed data and expertise within its mandate, enabling integrated analysis of transport networks, built up areas, land consumption patterns, and public open spaces. This multi source approach improved the accuracy, completeness, temporal quality, and usability of the geospatial datasets used for SDG monitoring.
Kenya’s model aligns closely with the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework (GSGF) and the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF). By integrating official statistics with Earth observation and alternative geospatial sources, Kenya produced internationally comparable indicators while strengthening interoperability, institutional collaboration, and responsible data governance. The initiative also enhanced national and county level planning by providing spatially enabled evidence for transport planning, urban growth management, and public space allocation.
Key lessons from the experience include the need of institutional commitment and technical capacity, the value of standardized international methodologies, and the importance of sustained data sharing arrangements. The collaboration was intentionally designed not as a one off exercise but as a long term partnership supporting SDG 11 monitoring and future national initiatives.
Kenya intends to disseminate the results through national statistical reports, SDG platforms, stakeholder engagements, and technical publications to ensure broad policy uptake. As African countries advance Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda, Kenya’s experience offers a practical, adaptable model for integrating alternative geospatial data sources into official statistics. Strengthening institutional partnerships, maintaining authoritative datasets, and promoting geospatial–statistical interoperability will be essential for producing trusted, actionable data that ensures no one—and no place—is left behind.