Africa's use of big data will yield more benefit if the continent focuses on smart data to address complex situations.

This is according to Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Projects and Knowledge Management at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) who says the advantage of big data has been demonstrated in Africa, but there is a need to build 'human and institutional capacity' to add more value.

"Because of the lingering issue of the level of quality, accuracy and uncertainty of data and data sources; the focus on the continent should be more on smart data rather than just big data - separating wheat from chaff," he said. "The data is readily available now, but appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks have to be put in place in order not to infringe (the) individual's right to privacy or their "right to be left alone". Of course, the quality and accuracy of data and data sources remain an issue."

The ITU has used anonymised real-time location data in efforts to mitigate the Ebola disease and epidemics in Sierra Leone in August 2015. It suggested that big data analysis could lead to better decisions in several areas including tracking illegal wildlife trade.

Zavazava added that the organisation has begun to use big data sources for the production of official statistics. "This is of interest to African countries as better reporting would paint the correct picture of the continent and the progress that countries are making supported by the fast moving information and communication technology sector. Official statistics based on big data will complement current statistics and will help governments close digital and economic gaps, and the private sector identify market opportunities."

Technologist Emeka Azuka Okoye, who designed the first banking website in Nigeria, said in a tweet to ITWeb Africa: "Big data is meaningless. Smart data is more structured with meanings. Making analytics and seeing insights easy."

Zavazava added that the growth of smartphone adoption across Africa, which has improved data generation in the continent in recent years, will lead to more widespread big data use.