Research & M&E
Study design, digital data collection, indicator frameworks, analysis, and donor-ready reporting.
Explore capability ↗Loading
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Based in Lilongwe, Malawi · working across Africa
I'm Samson Banankhu Mhango — a data, AI, research, and infrastructure builder helping teams turn messy information into useful action. I am also the founder and owner of Pandas HomeLab 1.0, a small home-based data centre.
The through-line
“Good technology should make the right decision easier to see.”
01 / About
I am a Malawian data scientist, AI/ML engineer, software developer, researcher, and M&E practitioner. My work connects public health, sustainable energy, education, agriculture, and digital inclusion.
The most valuable data work is not just accurate — it is understood, trusted, and used. I bring together research discipline, engineering thinking, and a practical understanding of how teams work on the ground.
02 / Experience
A career spanning public health, sustainable energy, software, research, technology education, and hands-on infrastructure.
Pandas HomeLab 1.0 · Running a small home-based data centre for hands-on learning, experimentation, and practical infrastructure work.
DIGIE for Sustainable Energy · Leading data strategy, machine learning, GIS analytics, carbon analytics, predictive modelling, and governance.
Centre for Development Management (CDM) Consulting · Supporting tobacco harm reduction studies through data management, quality monitoring, dashboards, and publication outputs.
DIGIE for Sustainable Energy · Built the Smart PayGo CRM and geospatial SaaS platform, including payment integrations, inventory, and real-time reporting.
Central Poultry · Developing software and business intelligence solutions for operations and marketing.
Metta Tech Solutions · Building secure, maintainable backend components and APIs with FastAPI and PostgreSQL.
AI & Innovation Hub · Designing inclusive AI education, training programmes, mentorship, and technology partnerships.
The Lighthouse Trust · Built healthcare dashboards, backend systems, data workflows, and digital tools supporting sustainable health systems.
Mzuzu University · Supported experiments, statistical analysis, research training, and publication-ready outputs.
CYCC Project, Church and Society Programme · Led field monitoring, ODK data collection, and community-facing programme support.
03 / What I do
Study design, digital data collection, indicator frameworks, analysis, and donor-ready reporting.
Explore capability ↗Reliable data pipelines, SQL models, Power BI/Metabase dashboards, and automated reporting.
Explore capability ↗Production-minded ML, AI prototypes, APIs, and web platforms built around real workflows.
Explore capability ↗04 / Selected work
A few examples of what this looks like in practice.
Health data systems
Centralized data from OpenMRS and DHIS2 into practical dashboards for 5+ facilities, with cleaner reporting and a clearer view of retention, suppression, and viral-load coverage.
10,000+ patient records · 98% data completenessApplied AI
Built a Python risk model to help care teams identify patients most likely to default, giving outreach teams a better place to start.
25% reduction in missed appointmentsResearch & learning
From ODK/Kobo instruments to analysis and publication, I connect field realities with rigorous research so teams can make confident decisions.
Published research · NCST-funded projects05 / How I work
Clarify the decision, the people using the output, and the data reality.
Design a focused solution with transparent milestones and quality checks.
Document, train, and hand over work your team can keep using.
06 / Achievements
Winner · MUBAS, 2022
Finalist · 2022
Finalist · 2023 & 2024
Instructor & Technical Director · 2025
07 / Research & Publications
My research interests sit where public health, education, agriculture, and responsible AI meet. This is a live snapshot of my scholarly work and affiliations.
Selected publications · 5
202608 / Start a conversation
Tell me what you're trying to understand, build, or improve. I'll help you find the most useful next step.
sambanankhumhango@gmail.com ↗