Many individuals in social sciences or humanities find technology policy daunting. Initially, it is. However, understanding the power and possibilities of technology will be crucial for the next generation of policymakers. Through this bi-weekly column, I hope to provide some examples of technology in various public policy contexts. If you have any suggestions for articles you want to see, do not hesitate to reach out.

Currently battling cholera, measles, an Ebola revival, and COVID-19, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing one of the worst public health crises in the world. The African country has seen about 11,500 cases of Coronavirus—a small number for its population of 84 million—with around 90% of its cases located in the Kinshasa Province and a 2.7% mortality rate as of November 2020. Initially, this number would suggest that the government has effectively prevented the spread of COVID-19. 

Yet, these numbers are misleading. Over half of the population lives in rural areas without necessary access to testing equipment or technology that would provide more accurate data in the DRC’s fight against coronavirus. As a result, the government’s main objectives are to slow the spread of coronavirus, support communities with insufficient medical infrastructure, and  strengthen the healthcare system. 

Central to accomplishing its goals and avoiding further economic contraction is one thing: mobile data.

Access to mobile data is vital to limiting the spread of any virus, as it enables governments to obtain necessary health equipment for communities based on existing medical infrastructure. It also allows officials to promptly warn at-risk citizens about health threats. 

Mobile data has five stages in the context of coronavirus:

1. Population mapping
2. Plotting population mobility
3. Adding data about virus spread
4. Preparing logistics and health infrastructure
5. Modeling the economic impact

In countries where most of the population uses the internet, coronavirus data is available in abundance. These governments quickly progress along the five phases as a result. However, the DRC’s ability to obtain and use coronavirus data for policy is hindered by sparse internet infrastructure and high poverty rate. Only 17% of the DRC’s population has access to electricity, and around 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. Therefore, only 4% of its population can afford to use the internet.

Recognizing data’s importance in fighting public health crises, the DRC has increasingly dedicated efforts to improving internet access since the coronavirus outbreak. Notably, the DRC partnered with Grid3, a company that helps governments collect, utilize, and map demographic and infrastructure data. Grid3 gives better population estimates, allowing governments to optimize healthcare infrastructure and supplies. Additionally, the DRC has partnered with various mobile operators, digital health specialists, and public health NGOs to jumpstart its data-driven coronavirus policy transformation.

Ultimately, data will be essential for tracking and predicting the spread of coronavirus as communities remain open without a vaccine. Along with other, poorer countries facing similar issues, better data will create more informed policies that will bolster the DRC’s fragile healthcare system and its economy for the long-run. If these governments continue to improve access to technology, they will not only gain valuable data in the fight against coronavirus, but can also greatly reduce future domestic poverty levels. 

Alex Berman ’22 studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. He can be reached at alex.berman@wustl.edu.