Africa Data Festival brightens Zanzibar with a 30-nation attendance
ZANZIBAR: A three day Data Tamasha Africa 2026 has kicked off today, August 19, 2026, in Zanzibar attracting more than 300 delegates, over 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries.
In close relation with Zanzibar Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, it is co-hosted by the Tanzania Data Lab (dLab) and Policy Uganda. It will showcase how African institutions, innovators and communities are moving beyond conversations about digital transformation to building practical solutions with data, digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
Speaking while opening the Data Tamasha Africa 2026, The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Innovation in Zanzibar Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga it feels honored for Zanzibar to host such an event.
“For Zanzibar, hosting Data Tamasha Africa 2026 reinforces its growing role as a regional hub for digital innovation, data-driven development and digital governance. Zanzibar is fully ready to host this incredibly important event. Hosting this forum will enhance Zanzibar’s international profile as a destination for digital innovation while attracting vital investments in ICT, education, business, and public services. We want to see data and technology being used as tools to boost productivity, accountability, and sustainable development,” Said Soraga.
Under the theme Kujenga na Data / Building with Data, participants will share homegrown AI solutions, community-driven data systems, digital public innovations and practical approaches designed around Africas own priorities and realities.
Tanzania Data Lab Executive Director Dr Mahadia Tunga said that in today’s world, making informed decisions is critical, especially for countries with constrained resources, and at the same time called Zanzibar citizens to proudly attend at the event. “Data helps identify development priorities and ensures that our limited resources are being used effectively across the continent. Data Tamasha Africa serves as a premier platform to meet, learn from those who have succeeded, and openly discuss our shared challenges because no success comes without obstacles” Dr Mahadia.
Speaking at the same event, Neema lyer, Executive Director Policy, said that big ideas need talented people to encounter one another. “Not to meet on a screen, not to meet through a report, but to meet in person, in a room, where we can see each other’s faces and hear each other’s stories. A continent can be filled to the brim with the most talented people, but whose ideas remain just ideas if they remain isolated.“
She added, “We are also here because we need joy. Sometimes, this work can feel heavy. We deal with online violence, with algorithmic harm, with policies that move too slowly and platforms that move too fast. If we let that weight sit on us without relief, we burn out, and burnt out people cannot build the future we want. We mustn’t think of joy as a distraction. Joy is fuel for big and bold ideas. So this week, I hope you dance a little, laugh a lot, eat well, and remember why we fell in love with this field in the first place.”
The event brings together data scientists, policymakers, researchers, innovators, development partners, private-sector leaders, civil society organisations, young people and creatives creating a unique space for collaboration, learning and action.
Great to see dLab and Policy Uganda teaming up with the Zanzibar ICT ministry for this — the 30-country turnout shows real demand for a dedicated African data event. Curious whether the Tamasha format will become an annual fixture on the continent.
The 30-nation turnout is a strong signal, but the real story here is the dLab–Policy Uganda co-hosting arrangement with Zanzibar’s ICT ministry — that cross-border institutional partnership is exactly what African data ecosystems need to move beyond pilot projects.
The “Data Tamasha” name fits perfectly — with 300+ delegates from 30 nations, it sounds like the data community finally got the celebration it deserves. Glad to see dLab and Policy Uganda teaming up with Zanzibar’s ICT ministry; hopefully the cross-border collaboration outlasts the three days.
The 30-nation turnout for Data Tamasha Africa 2026 is a strong signal that East Africa is becoming a real hub for data innovation — and having dLab and Policy Uganda co-host alongside Zanzibar’s ICT ministry gives it the right policy-meets-practice mix. Curious to see which of the 100+ organisations end up with concrete cross-border collaborations from this.
The “Data Tamasha” framing is a fitting way to draw in 300 delegates from 30 countries — especially with dLab and Policy Uganda co-hosting alongside Zanzibar’s ICT ministry, this feels like a genuine regional push rather than a one-off event.
The 30-nation turnout and 300+ delegates show how much momentum East Africa’s data community has built — smart move by dLab and Policy Uganda to anchor this in Zanzibar with the Ministry’s backing. Curious to see how the “Tamasha” format translates data discussions for a wider audience.
The “Tamasha” framing is a smart touch — calling a data conference a festival instead of a summit makes it feel accessible to the 300 delegates and 30 nations in a way the usual jargon never could. Curious whether the dLab and Policy Uganda partnership will produce a concrete cross-border data-sharing framework after the three days wrap.
The 30-nation turnout is a strong signal that data governance and innovation are becoming shared priorities across the continent—especially meaningful that dLab and Policy Uganda are co-hosting with Zanzibar’s ICT ministry, showing East African institutions leading the way.
The “Tamasha” name is fitting — turning a data conference into a festival is exactly the kind of energy needed to make the continent’s digital agenda accessible. With dLab and Policy Uganda co-hosting alongside Zanzibar’s ICT ministry, this feels like a genuine East African collaboration rather than a donor-driven event. Curious to see how the 300 delegates translate the 30-nation turnout into concrete cross-border data-sharing agreements.
Interesting to see dLab and Policy Uganda teaming up as co-hosts — that kind of cross-border institutional collaboration is exactly what East Africa needs to turn data into policy action. The “Tamasha” framing also feels like a smart way to make the festival accessible beyond just tech circles.
Bringing together over 300 delegates, 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries in Zanzibar highlights the growing importance of cross-border data collaboration in Africa. The partnership between dLab, Policy Uganda, and Zanzibar’s Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation is a strong foundation for turning the festival’s discussions into practical innovation.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates, over 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries shows the growing importance of data collaboration across Africa. Zanzibar is an ideal setting for highlighting how institutions and innovators can turn data into practical solutions.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates from 30 countries in Zanzibar highlights how cross-border collaboration can strengthen Africa’s data ecosystem. The partnership between dLab, Policy Uganda, and the Zanzibar ministry is a promising model for turning innovation into practical public value.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates, 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries makes Data Tamasha Africa 2026 a strong platform for practical collaboration. The partnership between Zanzibar’s Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, Tanzania Data Lab, and Policy Uganda is especially encouraging.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates, 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries makes Data Tamasha Africa a valuable platform for sharing practical data solutions across the continent. The collaboration with Zanzibar’s Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation also highlights the region’s growing commitment to data-driven development.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates, over 100 organisations, and participants from 30 countries shows the growing importance of data collaboration across Africa. Zanzibar is an excellent setting for highlighting how local institutions and innovators can turn data into practical solutions.
Bringing together more than 300 delegates from 30 countries in Zanzibar highlights the growing importance of data collaboration across Africa. The partnership between Tanzania Data Lab, Policy Uganda, and Zanzibar’s Ministry of Communication is a strong foundation for turning innovation into practical policy.