November 2024: Spotlight Interview with the SSA Leadership Team

In April 2024, the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) Regional Chapter of WAPOR held its inaugural conference in Mombasa, Kenya. WAPOR’s Publications Committee (PC) interviewed the SSA Leadership Team – Interim President Angela Ambitho and Secretary Lynne Migide (both Infotrak Research & Consulting, Kenya) as well as Interim Secretary-Treasurer Paul Nnanwobu (Random Dynamic Resources, Nigeria) – on their experiences and takeaways from this key event. 

PC: Congratulations on holding your first regional conference! That’s quite impressive for also being WAPOR’s ‘youngest’ chapter that was founded just two years ago.

SSA: It is indeed commendable that WAPOR’s youngest chapter successfully hosted its first regional conference in Mombasa. This milestone is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic spirit of the SSA Chapter!

PC: Mombasa seems like a great choice for a conference location. What were the driving factors behind choosing the city as the site for your kick-off conference?

SSA: Several factors informed the choice of Mombasa. First, its strategic location: Kenya, particularly Mombasa, was an inspired choice for hosting the SSA chapter’s inaugural conference. Mombasa is one of the most accessible cities in the region, offering excellent connectivity for both international and regional attendees. Its position as a gateway to East Africa made it an ideal meeting point for participants from across the continent and beyond.

Second, the city’s conference facilities: Mombasa’s selection was also influenced by its track record of hosting successful regional and international events, ensuring the facilities and infrastructure could support a conference of this magnitude. The city boasts state-of-the-art conference facilities capable of hosting international events. This further solidified Mombasa’s status as a preferred location.

And third, Mombasa’s cultural and historical richness: The city’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage and its stunning coastline provided an enriching backdrop for the conference and an overall inviting environment that blended professional engagement with cultural immersion. Participants were engaged in high-level discussions and immersed in the historical and cultural narratives of Mombasa, which added a unique dimension to the event.

In sum, the city’s ambience and Kenya’s vibrant research community centered in Nairobi made it an ideal location to launch the SSA chapter’s ambitious agenda.

PC: Which other conference locations do you envision for future SSA conferences?

SSA: As our chapter grows, future conference locations under consideration include Accra, Lagos, Addis Ababa, and Cape Town—each offering unique advantages in research communities and accessibility.

PC: How many participants (approximately) from how many countries have attended the conference? Can you tell us a little bit about their background and how many of those were students or early-career researchers/professionals?

SSA: The conference saw the participation of slightly more than 100 attendees, representing a diverse cross-section from over 20 different countries, including the media personnel. Roughly speaking, the majority, about 40% of the attendees, were from academic institutions, bringing a wealth of knowledge and research expertise to the conference. 25% of the participants were from various governmental bodies, highlighting the importance of public opinion research in policy-making and governance. Around 20% were from the private sector, underscoring the growing interest in public opinion research within business and industry. And about 15% were independent researchers and practitioners, contributing diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. Among all those, a significant number of participants were students or early-career professionals, demonstrating the conference’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers and inspiring them to contribute to the field of public opinion research.

PC: This year’s conference theme was “Shaping a Sustainable Future: The Lessons and Legacies from Opinion Polling in Africa.” What were some of the conference highlights and key events that aligned with that theme?

SSA: The conference theme resonates deeply with the continent’s current development trajectory. We had a number of participants and speakers whose words underscore this and are worth highlighting:

• Angela Ambitho, Interim President of WAPOR SSA, set the tone for the conference by emphasizing the critical role of public opinion research in shaping sustainable futures. In her opening remarks, she stated that “our mission is grounded in the desire to elevate the standard and impact of public opinion research across Africa, ensuring that it not only informs policy but also empowers communities and upholds democratic values.”
• Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir of Mombasa, who served as the chief guest, underscored the conference’s significance to the region, noting “Mombasa is honoured to host such a pivotal event that not only brings together experts from across Africa but also lays the groundwork for more informed and democratic governance in our continent.”
• P.L.O. Lumumba, a renowned advocate and pan-Africanist, delivered a keynote address that inspired the audience by highlighting the legacy of opinion polling in fortifying democratic processes across the continent. He eloquently remarked: “The voice of the people, captured through scientific polling, is the cornerstone of true democracy in Africa.”
• Nancy Booker, Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Aga Khan University, added a significant perspective on the integration of media in public opinion research, stating that “media plays an indispensable role in shaping public opinion, and our research must adapt to the digital age to remain relevant and impactful.”
• Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, underscored the importance of ethical research practices, emphasizing that “the integrity of our research practices directly influences the trust of the public in our findings, which in turn affects governance and policy.”
• Dickson Andala, CEO of the Kenya National Research Fund, highlighted the importance of research in national development, stating that “investing in robust public opinion research is investing in the future of our nation. It provides the data needed to shape policies that reflect the people’s will and are sustainable in the long term.”
• Joshua Njiru from the Kenya Bureau of Standards offered an interesting perspective on the role of standards in public opinion research: “The credibility of public opinion research hinges on the adherence to strict methodological standards. By ensuring quality and reliability, we can build public trust and impact policy-making meaningfully.”

PC: That’s an impressive lineup of speakers and their words indeed resonate with the conference theme.  

SSA: The conference also featured vibrant panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions, consistently filled with engaged participants. These sessions covered a range of topics, including the role of polling in governance, the impact of new technologies on data collection, and the challenges of conducting polls in the digital age. A notable highlight was the roundtable discussion on the legacy of opinion polling in shaping African democratic processes. This session fostered a rich dialogue among participants, exploring how polling has influenced electoral outcomes and governance structures across the continent.

PC: According to your website, the conference was guided by four key objectives: (1) Knowledge exchange and dissemination; (2) Capacity building and skill development; (3) Fostering collaboration and networking; and (4) Promoting ethical research practices. Generally speaking, how do you evaluate the conference’s progress toward these? What worked particularly well – and what would you do differently for the next SSA conference?

SSA: We believe the conference successfully achieved its key objectives. For example, in terms of networking: The event fostered extensive opportunities to form new partnerships and collaborations among participants from diverse sectors. Also, through well-received presentations and a diverse range of papers we were able to promote high-quality research at the conference. Topics ranged from technological advances in polling to the influence of opinion polling on governance.

As an area for improvement, we identified the need to increase engagement with non-academic sectors and enhance interactive elements in future sessions. We also plan on expanding digital participation and hybrid formats to ensure broader accessibility.

PC: Which extracurricular, pre- or post-conference activities did you offer to support the professional networking?

SSA: Beyond the discussions, attendees had the opportunity to explore historical sites in Mombasa and enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. The gala evening was a memorable affair, characterized by fine dining, dancing, and entertainment, offering a perfect blend of networking and relaxation.

PC: Looking back at all the conference contributions––panels, posters, roundtables, informal gatherings––vis-a-vis the different subthemes you suggested in the conference call, where did you notice the most interest, dynamics and enthusiasm among attendees when it comes to public opinion research with focus on Sub-Saharan Africa? In other words, what are the hot topics that matter to the region?

SSA: The subthemes that generated most interest included the role of opinion polling in governance, the application of new technologies in data collection, and the impact of polling on social justice and economic development. The most dynamic discussions were also held around the influence of media on public opinion and the challenges of conducting polls in a rapidly digitizing world.

PC: What can WAPOR do to better support and promote the work of your chapter?  

SSA: WAPOR could increase funding opportunities for regional research projects and facilitate greater participation in global conferences. Raising the chapter’s visibility through WAPOR’s global network and encouraging collaborations with other regional chapters could significantly expand the chapter’s influence. Additionally, targeted training and resources for emerging researchers would significantly enhance the chapter’s capacity and long-term impact.

PC: Are there plans to release conference proceedings, a summary report or a compilation of conference contributions?

SSA: Yes, there are plans to release a comprehensive conference proceedings document, including summaries of key sessions, highlights of notable presentations, and reflections on the conference’s impact. Additionally, a summary report will be made available on the WAPOR SSA website, ensuring that the insights and discussions from the conference are accessible to a broader audience.

PC: Are there any other upcoming regional events, webinars or trainings you would like to share? 

SSA: The SSA chapter is planning a series of webinars on key topical issues affecting the region and technical topics such as advanced polling techniques, the use of AI in research, and public opinion trends in Africa. We also hope to have a regional workshop on research methods at the beginning of 2025 to provide more training opportunities for researchers in the region. Details of these events will be regularly updated on our website, social media and communicated through the chapter’s newsletter.

PC: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions and sharing some insights about your chapter’s inaugural conference.

SSA: Thank you for your continued interest and support of the WAPOR SSA chapter’s initiatives. We look forward to your participation in our upcoming activities and hope to see many WAPOR members at our next conference!