Jacopo Ottaviani

Chief Data Officer, Code for Africa: 10+ years building teams and programs at the intersection of data, design and knowledge transfer.

Summary

Jacopo Ottaviani is an award-winning computer scientist and data scientist with a rich background in managing data portfolios as Chief Data Officer for Code for Africa (CfA).
He has been instrumental in designing and implementing projects across various African countries since 2011, working with donors such as the World Bank, Google, GIZ, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Jacopo's expertise lies in leading data analysis teams comprising data scientists, software engineers, and graphic designers to address pressing social issues like urban inequality, immigration, land rights, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
His work showcases a unique blend of technical skills in computer science and data journalism, resulting in impactful projects published by renowned organizations globally.
Notable initiatives he has been involved in include the #MapMakoko project in Nigeria, immersive journeys across rainforests, and the establishment of CfA's Data Academy in Africa.
Jacopo Ottaviani's contributions also extend to investigative journalism, highlighted by projects like Migrants' Files and E-waste Republic, which have received prestigious awards in the field.
With a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and a Master's Degree in Natural Language Processing, Jacopo's commitment to education is evident through his roles as a visiting professor at various universities and as a trainer for prominent media organizations and institutions like the BBC Media Action, the European Journalism Centre, and UNDP.
His professional affiliations include serving as the Chief Data Officer at Code For Africa, and having been a member of the European Press Prize Preparatory Committee, the Board of Advisors at InfoNile, and a consultant for UNDP, among other roles.