This project surveys the collection and use of data by libraries in 16 countries across Africa, enumerating the challenges that librarians and library organizations face in gathering, analyzing, and presenting data of various types for self-advocacy. In this study, qualitative data from a meeting of library representatives were analyzed to identify main challenges including: data integrity in terms of completeness, accuracy, credibility, and relevancy; infrastructure; capacity; local investment in libraries; time; and participation of data collectors and respondents. Implications for collecting data on African libraries as well as supporting the use of data in these contexts are discussed.