About Us

Research, Analytics, and Insight That Actually Works.

Friends of Data isn't a consultancy. We're a partner. A guide. A friend who helps organizations and researchers turn data into insight, and insight into action.

Our Story

How It All Began

Friends of Data started as a simple idea: what if research and data could actually make work easier for people, not just sit in reports or dashboards no one uses?

We noticed something early on: organizations — whether NGOs in Nairobi, corporate teams in Nairobi and beyond, or government departments — had data, sometimes a lot of it, but no clarity on how to use it. Reports piled up. Excel sheets multiplied. Decisions were made on hunches. Projects stalled. Teams spent more time chasing numbers than actually using them to move forward.

That felt wrong.

So we built Friends of Data to fix that gap. Not with buzzwords. Not with templates or tools that look impressive but don't work. We wanted a firm that understands organizations like a friend, sees the problem, and delivers actionable insight that people can actually use.

250+
Learners Trained
50+
Projects Completed
3
Countries
20+
Partner Organizations
Our Philosophy

Research and analytics shouldn't be intimidating — they should enable action.

Practical

We focus on insight you can act on, not endless reports. Every deliverable is designed to move decisions forward.

Collaborative

We treat clients and partners as friends, not projects. We work alongside your team, not above it.

Strategic

We combine research rigor with real-world business sense. Analysis is only as valuable as the decisions it improves.

Our Vision

To be Africa's leading boutique research and decision intelligence firm: a place where organizations and scholars get insight that's trustworthy, practical, and powerful.

We imagine a world where decisions are guided not by guesswork, but by clear evidence and confident interpretation of data.

Our Mission

  • Build Decision Intelligence Systems that show leaders what's happening in real time
  • Deliver Strategic Research & Insights that inform high-stakes decisions
  • Equip teams through Capability Building so data drives everyday action
  • Support scholars through our Academic Research Program to strengthen research quality across Africa
Why "Friends of Data"?

Because our clients are more than clients — they're collaborators.

We don't just hand over dashboards or research reports. We work alongside your team, helping them understand what the data means, and how it can actually change the way decisions are made.

We care about clarity, because we know decisions aren't made in spreadsheets — they're made in meetings, boardrooms, and field offices. And when people can see the story behind the numbers, they act with confidence.

Many firms provide analytics tools. Others conduct research. Friends of Data brings these disciplines together.

Leadership

Meet Our Team

The passionate individuals driving our mission forward.

D

Dr. Amina Hassan

Founder & Lead Consultant

Dr. Hassan brings over 15 years of experience in research methodology and data analytics. She founded Friends of Data to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application.

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Emmanuel Kofi Mensah

Head of Training

Emmanuel leads our training programs with a passion for making data skills accessible. He has trained over 500 researchers across Africa.

Our Team

The People Behind Our Work

A diverse team of experts dedicated to your success.

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Sarah Wanjiku

Senior Data Analyst

Sarah specializes in Power BI and advanced analytics, helping organizations transform their data into actionable insights.

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Jean-Pierre Mukendi

Research Consultant

Jean-Pierre brings expertise in qualitative research and evaluation, with extensive experience in the DRC and Central Africa.

Start a Conversation

If your organization is seeking deeper insight, stronger analytics systems, or better decision support, we would be glad to explore how we can help.

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