RIA Executive Director, Pria Chetty’s abstract, titled “Foresight-Driven Data Governance for Equitable Development,” has been selected for inclusion in the Africa Foresight Network (AFN)’s Working Paper Series as part of the Deepening African Perspectives in Anticipation and Foresight initiative. The AFN is a pan-African initiative aimed at building a robust community of foresight practitioners and researchers who can drive anticipatory policymaking and inclusive development. This working paper initiative brings together scholars from across the continent to co-develop future-oriented knowledge, and is convened by the University of Witwatersrand’s School of Governance, Africa Innovation Summit, Southern Africa Node, Foresight for Development and the IDRC.
Chetty’s paper explores how foresight methodologies, such as scenario planning and regulatory sandboxes, can be applied to shape data governance systems that are inclusive, anticipatory, and aligned with Africa’s development goals. It addresses a critical gap in integrating long-term, forward-looking perspectives into the governance of digital and data ecosystems on the continent. Her selection is a strong recognition of the relevance and timeliness of RIA’s work on data governance and digital futures. It also positions RIA at the forefront of shaping African-led foresight research and contributes to strengthening the continent’s voice in global conversations on data, technology, and equity.
This selection provides RIA with a valuable opportunity to deepen its expertise and engagement in foresight methodologies, a critical capability in technology policy research and anticipatory governance. It strengthens RIA’s position as a thought leader in shaping forward-looking, equity-driven data governance frameworks and contributes to building the organisation’s capacity to respond to complex, evolving digital challenges across Africa.
