This article is part of the series: Altruistic Byte: Real-World Insights for Tech-Driven Change

Data and statistical insights are key drivers for international development. They allow decision-makers to:

• objectively understand the reality and complexity of the world,
• logically coordinate various development activities between conflicting priorities, and
• effectively distribute finite resources, such as money and people.

From the United Nations and World Bank to governments to non-profits, narratives in their visions, strategies, roadmaps, and reports often rely heavily on numbers and charts. In other words, data enables storytelling in the development sector, and stories are the interface that translates local contexts into a globally recognizable call to action.

When I presented digital transformation practices in Malawi, I also referred to several publicly available statistics to highlight key challenges in the local environment:

• Less than 20% internet penetration
• More than 50% of the population under 18
• More than 80% of rural populations
• Around 80% of the total population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods

So, here is the lesson: use data for storytelling.

Climate change, poverty, Ebola, lack of water and electricity supply. People already know that the problems exist, but it is the story that makes the awareness tangible, and data gives credibility to it.

However, as consumers of these data(-driven information), we also need to take extra steps from there.

First, not all data is equally credible.

Some datasets are serious deliverables as a result of multilateral efforts, while there are many questionable claims that random non-profit organizations are citing on their website or annual report without any details. Thus, when you encounter certain "facts," check their sources and ask how these metrics were measured.

Even if data is from government-led initiatives, like census data, it's worth critically examining its reliability because downstream activities and intermediate processes are often outsourced. For a census, a government likely hires many enumerators across the country, but nothing guarantees these enumerators behave exactly as instructed, especially in low-income countries where the population's literacy level is a challenge and bribery is still common. And the lack of control and governance can create data-quality issues and possibly inaccurate statistics.

Moreover, not all development data is up-to-date.

The World Bank revealed that the most recent poverty survey is more than five years old in 60% of low- and middle-income economies. That is, a big chunk of countries who are in need for assistance likely failed to consider recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts in the Middle East, and the rise of AI applications. Given the extreme complexity of our world, such a gap can cause immediate significant impact to vulnerable communities.

Hence, pay attention to the context (e.g., time and location) where this particular data point was generated. If it's years old (or unknown) for rapidly evolving problems, such as internet infrastructure, it'd be a good idea to look for alternative sources. Or, when you compare two data points (e.g., internet penetration in Malawi vs. Japan), ensure you're looking at the same time horizon; otherwise, the discussion can miss something fundamental and even be unconsciously biased.

Imagine you are the CEO of a development organization or government stakeholder who relies on these low-quality and/or outdated data for your development work. Your worldview can be distorted. Your team prioritizes things that are not so important. We then fail at solving a handful of essential problems that actually matter. Eventually, the society misses real opportunities for equity and sustainable growth.

Therefore, the ultimate lesson is to use well-maintained and well-governed data for storytelling, in terms of quality and lineage. And technologists' job is to implement reliable and robust data systems that actually work in each context.

  This article is part of the series: Altruistic Byte: Real-World Insights for Tech-Driven Change

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Last updated: August 1, 2026

  Author: Takuya Kitazawa

I am a product builder, mentor, and advocate for sustainable technology development with a decade of experience in AI/ML products, data systems, and digital transformation. Based in Canada and originally from Japan, I have lived and worked globally, including part-time residence in Malawi, Africa. Visit my portfolio to learn more about my work, or reach out to me at [email protected].

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