DSWB Annual General Report 2025

Abstract

The 2025 Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on February 24-26, 2025, convened pathfinder institutions and technical partners to review Year 1 progress and agree on priorities to strengthen data science for Africa's health systems. Discussions focused on aligning country roadmaps, addressing infrastructure and skills gaps identified through a needs assessment, and advancing data standardization and interoperability, including OMOP CDM work. The AGM also emphasized ethical AI, secure and equitable data sharing through the DSWB Data Sharing Agreement, and stronger coordination for capacity building, fellowships, and mentorship. Practical outputs such as datathon demonstrations and partner progress reports informed the way forward, with a focus on sustainable governance, improved digital infrastructure, and cross-institutional collaboration to accelerate evidence-based health decision-making across Africa.