Mobile Tech Drives International Development: Opportunities and Challenges
Mobile technologies have emerged as a powerful tool in international development, offering real-time data collection and analysis. A recent panel discussion, 'Data for Development', hosted by the Center for Data Innovation, highlighted key opportunities and challenges in leveraging these technologies effectively.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2015 served as a critical test case for global aid organizations. Mobile technologies were innovatively employed for data collection and communication, enabling real-time, granular data analysis that aided affected communities and healthcare systems. Panelists agreed that long-term collaboration, including public-private partnerships, is vital for ensuring the continued benefit of collected data to communities.
Interoperability, standards, and data governance were identified as immediate opportunities to fully harness the power of mobile technologies. Samia Melhem from the World Bank emphasized the importance of consolidating data sources and applying standards for sustained usefulness after project completion. MINAGRI in Rwanda took over an agricultural data collection project post-completion, demonstrating the potential for local institutions to build on international initiatives. Catherine Highet from FHI 360 discussed the opportunity for standardized survey tools to address gender inequality in developing economies through data-driven insights.
Despite the potential, barriers to progress remain, including legal issues, local capacity, and collaboration. Technology itself was considered the easiest aspect to overcome. Vivian Ranson from USAID highlighted the agency's focus on creating a feedback loop between policymakers, frontline workers, and communities through mobile technology data use. To fully benefit from mobile technologies in international development, stakeholders must prioritize interoperability, standards, data governance, and long-term collaboration.
