Data Dilemmas: Availability, Access and Applicability for Analysis in Sub-Saharan African Cities

Abstract

This paper is a reflection on the challenges of undertaking cross-country comparative research involving quantitative data in sub-Saharan Africa. It draws inspiration from the experience of attempting a comparative project involving the collection and analysis of secondary data from Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe for the Consuming Urban Poverty (CUP) project. Secondary city-level data on poverty and labour markets were required. Acquiring these smaller-scale, subject-specific data posed certain challenges. However, these challenges are not unique to these three countries. Thus, first, the paper focuses on the experience of attempting to conduct the specific CUP research in these countries. Then the discussion broadens to address the general challenges of conducting quantitative research in sub-Saharan Africa, especially at the level of the city. This work is part of ‘Governing Food Systems to Alleviate Poverty in Secondary Cities in Africa’ project supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the UK Department for International Development