AIDAN CRAKER

Data Scientist

Aidan is a data scientist at 71point4 with a strong foundation in Economics and a growing toolkit in dev ops and analytics. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town. Since joining 71point4 two years ago, Aidan has worked across a range of data-intensive analytical engagements in the financial, agricultural, transport, and social security sectors. He focuses on building data pipelines, analytical environments, and dashboards that integrate complex transactional, geospatial, and administrative datasets to support operational and strategic decision-making. He has also delivered a spatial analysis workshop that explored techniques for manipulating, storing, and analysing large geospatial assets within databases, including the use of spatial hashing and indexing for efficient location-based analysis.

He is passionate about understanding how data and emerging technologies can work together to solve challenges, and is particularly interested in leveraging these tools to explore questions and shape narratives across a variety of fields.

RYAN BERELOWITZ

Research Analyst

Ryan is a research analyst at 71point4. He holds a Masters in International Economics from the Berlin School of Economics and a Masters in Economic Analysis and Policy from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord. His Master’s Thesis analysed the effect of Global Financial Cycles on the stability and fiscal policy stance of emerging economies. Ryan is passionate about using policy to foster development across Africa.

Since joining 71point4, Ryan has worked across a number of fields including student housing, health, financial inclusion, and credit. He supports the analytical process through background research as well as data cleaning, manipulation, and visualisation. Ryan believes no assumption should go unquestioned, nor any data be taken at face value.

ALICE THESEN

Junior Data Scientist

Alice is a research analyst at 71point4. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Statistics from the University of Cape Town, with an Honours degree in Statistics. In her Honours project, she assessed the application of Point Process modelling and extensions to extreme environmental readings. With previous experience in a consultative and analytical capacity, she is particularly interested in the human side of data: how insights can drive better decisions in public health, education, environment and development.

Since joining 71point4, she has worked in diverse fields, from financial access to agriculture and the social security sector. She has technical and analytical skillsets which allow her to support projects from initial design and technical setup through to final delivery. Her statistical background enables her to utilise a wide scope of statistical and diagnostic tools to leverage data to its maximum potential.

NSHUTI ELISÉ

Research Analyst

Nshuti is a research analyst at 71point4. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University Africa, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Mount Kenya University, and a diploma in Electrical Engineering from Rwanda Polytechnic (formerly IPRC). Nshuti is passionate about uncovering insights through complex datasets and has practical experience across sectors including energy and finance. As a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, he contributed to an energy loss mapping and computation project in partnership with the Rwanda Energy Group, analyzing large-scale geospatial and electricity consumption data to detect anomalies and quantify losses on the low-voltage distribution network. He enjoys working at the intersection of data, technology, and development, and is driven by the potential of data to support better decision-making.

DAVID METELERKAMP

Research Analyst

David holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Econometrics from Stellenbosch University and has seven years’ experience working as an economist in the private sector, helping decision-makers make sense of the local and global macroeconomic environment and policy landscape. He later co-led a clothing manufacturing and retail business for three years, applying analytical skills in a different setting, and gaining a deeper understanding of how economics connects with real-world business outcomes.

At 71point4 he applies his background to data-driven projects, supporting clients with analysis, visualisation, and insights, and is particularly interested in combining economic thinking with data science to generate actionable outcomes.

David grew up in Cape Town, and outside of work you will find him on his mountain bike or somewhere near a vineyard (for research purposes).