Many cities manage data reactively, limiting their ability to plan or respond to residents’ needs. This was also the case in eThekwini leaving valuable data trapped in silos. To address this, we co-developed a citywide data strategy to help the municipality unlock the value of data, strengthen internal capacity and guide data use across departments. Through workshops and co-writing sessions, officials produced a draft strategy, roadmap, and governance guidelines that embed Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles laying the foundation for a more coordinated, inclusive, and data-driven city.