As data-driven strategies and decision-making becomes critical in organisations, many still do not have Chief Data Offciers (CDOs) to lead these initiatives. Something must change.

The globally renowned Chief Data Officer and Information Quality (CDOIQ) Symposium made its African debut in September, in partnership with the University of Pretoria and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with BCX as a proud gold sponsor. 

This event united leading experts, Chief Data Officers (CDOs), and Heads of Data and Analytics from across Africa to exchange ideas on leveraging data for business value, innovation, and digital transformation.

As organisations navigate digital transformation, the CDO’s role in enabling data-driven strategies and decisions has become crucial. However, only 22% of organisations have a dedicated CDO with a defined budget and scope. The symposium emphasised the need for businesses to appoint CDOs with sufficient budget, authority, and resources.

Speakers discussed the challenge CDOs face in gaining recognition within the C-suite. Many Chief Executive Officers and executives do not fully understand the strategic value of data or the CDO’s role in facilitating data-driven decisions, making it difficult for CDOs to secure the necessary budget and resources.

Zjaen Coetzee, Executive for Business Development and Digital Advisory at BCX, noted that CDOs often have short tenures of two to three years, due to the pressure for immediate results and a lack of understanding of the long-term nature of data transformation. 

Coetzee advised setting realistic, tangible goals, explaining, “If you can only show value at R10.00 and you have R8.00, do not spend the R8.00, as you will have no value to show.”

For CDOs to realise their potential, they must build a data-driven culture within their organisations. This includes increasing the visibility of data projects, fostering collaboration, and promoting the strategic importance of data. 

Stefan Steffen, Executive for Data Science at BCX, emphasised that ”the whole organisation needs to be data-driven and understand the value and importance of data. Without this shared vision, the potential of data remains untapped.” 

Steffen also added that, “There needs to be a connection between the data at hand and the needs of the business, in order for it to be valuable. Most organisations make the ‘mistake’ of having the resources and data without optimising them to meet business goals.”

The symposium discussed practical strategies for CDOs to drive data-driven transformation. Embracing self-service and automation can decentralise data access and empower employees to make informed decisions. 

Agility and adaptability are crucial, as Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Chief Information Officer at the Council of Medical Scheme, remarked, “Nothing is stagnant in the digital world, and neither should you be.”

Artificial intelligence and platforms as enablers of data value

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms is reshaping the data landscape. Industry leaders, including BMW representatives, shared insights on how platforms and AI are crucial for digital transformation and competitiveness.

Platforms provide the infrastructure and tools needed to manage, analyse, and leverage vast amounts of data, enabling organisations to make better decisions and unlock business value. Platforms also play a crucial role in integrating different business functions, ensuring that data flows seamlessly between departments such as engineering, sales, finance, and human resources. This integration is vital for organisations to operate efficiently and remain agile in a fast-paced digital environment.

Dr Salomon de Jager highlighted a significant trend: by 2027, more than 50% of generative AI models used by enterprises will be domain-specific, up from just 1% in 2023. This speaks to AI’s growing role in driving business value and shaping industry futures. AI is already enhancing user experiences, processes, and decision-making, but its success hinges on high-quality data.

Thorsten Achenbach, Director of Digital and Global Solutions at BMW, described how they leverage data for innovation in the automotive and technology sectors. The BMW IT Hub in South Africa is pivotal in the company’s global digital transformation. BMW’s approach, guided by collaboration, process excellence and technological innovation, highlights the role of platforms in supporting global value chains through AI and data insights.

BMW’s use of AI includes digital twins, providing a comprehensive digital representation of physical products throughout their lifecycle. This innovation optimises operations, from engineering and production to customer engagement and sales. Achenbach stressed that AI’s effectiveness relies on vast amounts of data, making robust data storage and management essential.

Achenbach also spoke about why BMW chose South Africa as the location for the BMW IT Hub. Highlighting the adaptability of South Africans being a great asset. He also spoke to the skills challenge that the country faces, and as BMW they are committed to equipping young South Africans with the necessary skills to be competitive in the ICT sector. 

This is a sentiment that was shared by Prof Sunil Maharaj, Vice Principal of the University of Pretoria, who spoke about how the university is making a concerted effort to align its curriculum with industry needs, particularly in data science, which spans all faculties. He also emphasised the importance of collaboration and partnerships to drive data analytics across Africa. 

Prof Maharaj highlighted a crucial point in the ecosystem, which is skills. By 2050, one in three young people will be from Africa, and if we are to avoid the youthquake, it is important to start looking at ways that we can create opportunities for the youth, especially in a burgeoning sector like the information and communication technology sector.

The inaugural CDOIQ Africa Symposium offered African enterprises a chance to harness the business value of data, positioning them to excel in a digital world. As data becomes a core asset, the CDO’s role will be crucial in guiding organisations toward success. By fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and continuous evolution, CDOs can unlock data’s full potential, driving growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. 

An important sentiment that was shared by all speakers was that quality assurance still lies in the hands of business leaders. Not everything can be done by AI, which further highlights why CDOs are crucial in organisations.