1. Mission and Purpose IOW Data is committed to producing accurate, fair, and accessible data-driven journalism. Our work seeks to inform the public, empower communities, and support evidence-based decision-making in Zimbabwe and beyond. 2. Accuracy and Verification We prioritize accuracy in all reporting. Data sources are verified, and methods are disclosed to ensure transparency. All…
BY NATHAN GUMA MEMBERS of Parliament are demanding answers, summoning Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube over the government’s failure to fund a number of the country’s critical social safety programmes, with citizens reeling under the effects of the El Niño-induced drought. The government has had cash transfers, among them the Harmonised Cash Transfer Programme, the Cash…
BY NATHAN GUMA THE government’s use of an algorithm to identify beneficiaries of cash transfer programmes has contributed to millions of people left in need, an investigation can reveal. Since 2020, the country has endured a series of droughts and a pandemic, which has left millions in need of immediate aid. The government has had cash…
BY NATHAN GUMA AN analysis of unstructured data from generative artificial intelligence (AI), has revealed algorithmic bias towards people with disabilities, repeating commonly used stereotypes in everyday scenarios, which experts say is likely to threaten inclusion. Findings from an investigation by IOW Data, which analyzed AI-generated images involving people with disabilities, revealed that generative AI is still lagging behind…
BY NATHAN GUMA WHEN climatic shocks such as droughts and unpredictable weather continuously hit the country over the past years, it became difficult for both farmers and insurance companies to determine the amount of damage for accurate payouts. This raised a risk of under- and over-insurance, which would result in farmers being penalized under a…
BY NATHAN GUMA ZIMBABWEAN insurance companies have been urged to adopt blockchain technology in the short-term insurance sector to solve crucial issues such as claims handling, sales, and distribution of premiums and premium payments. This comes at a time when the short-term insurance sector has experienced significant growth amid evolving technology, which has opened opportunities…
BY NATHAN GUMA WHILE domestic violence has traditionally been associated with the physical abuse of intimate partners to maintain power and control, its effects extend far beyond, often splintering into areas that are even more psychologically damaging. They include financial abuse. Financial abuse is a form of abuse in which one person exerts control over their victim’s access to…
BY NATHAN GUMA THE Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has urged life assurance companies to innovate and develop long-term products that meet consumer needs, while collaborating with the government to boost uptake, as part of its push to create a regulatory environment that supports savings and financial growth. This follows a revenue uptick in the life…
