Category: Data Science

@iLabafrica-Strathmore University, through a collaboration with the Strathmore Data Community (SDC), successfully hosted the inaugural DataSprint 2026, a week-long data science hackathon that brought together 135 students to address real-world challenges in financial inclusion using national survey data. Held from 12–19 June 2026, the competition challenged students to analyse the 2024 FinAccess Household Survey and develop data-driven solutions to understand the factors influencing the financial wellbeing of Kenyan adults. The event attracted 45 teams comprising students from diverse academic backgrounds and varying levels of experience, ranging from first-year students to senior undergraduates. A total of 33 teams submitted completed projects after an intensive week of analysis, modelling and collaboration. Addressing a Real National Challenge Participants worked with data from 20,871 adults across all 47 counties, collected through the 2024 FinAccess…

NAIROBI, Kenya @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University, in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi, hosted a high-level thought leadership forum themed "The Future of Intelligence" on 18 May 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and students to examine the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, and scientific discovery. The event was addressed by Prof. Simone Severini, Distinguished Professor in Quantum Computing at the University of Bristol and Director of Quantum Technologies at Amazon Web Services (AWS), whose keynote explored the intersection of AI, quantum computing, and the future of scientific research. Prof. Severini noted that AI systems are increasingly capable of accelerating discovery alongside human researchers, stating that "machines are becoming co-scientists" in complex problem-solving environments. Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco, Italy's Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia and…

Not too long ago, a young professional sat staring at their phone. They had just ordered food online, checked their bank balance, liked a post on Instagram, and replied to an email. What they didn’t realize was that, in just five minutes, they had created data. Lots of it. Hidden behind the scenes, data was quietly being collected, cleaned, and analyzed, all for one purpose. To help systems make decisions in real time, such as: What food should be recommended next? Was that bank transaction suspicious? What kind of content should appear on their Instagram feed? That invisible work happening quietly in the background is what we call data science. So… What Is Data Science, Really? Data science is simply the art of using data to understand what is happening, why it…

Data science has evolved from being just a buzzword to a powerful force shaping our daily lives and how businesses operate. In today's world, it is the force behind the way we shop, bank, and operate businesses. Imagine a situation where financial institutions can predict when a client is about to default, or even cancel their credit card before it happens. Better yet, what if a single patient record data point could lead to a life-saving discovery? Imagine researchers using data to uncover hidden patterns, predict health outcomes, and even design breakthrough treatments. Yes, this is how far data analytics can take modern medicine. At its core, data science is the art of turning raw information into meaningful insight. Using advanced algorithms and analytical techniques, it reveals trends, uncovers patterns,…

‘Irrespective of the career or degree you will take, it is important to understand how to harness information from data.’-Dr. John Olukuru. (Photo : Kevin Ngumu) The global big data analytics market is experiencing rapid growth, rising from a valuation of USD 307.51 billion in 2023 to a projected USD 348.21 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 924.39 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the demand for skilled data officers has doubled. To bridge this gap, @iLabAfrica’s Data Science department launched the 2025 Certificate in Data Analytics and Visualization (CDAV) program with its first-ever orientation, led by Dr. John Olukuru, Head of Data Science and Analytics, aimed to equip students with essential digital literacy skills while fostering engagement among…