African Centre for Statistics United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Data for managing development Identifying gaps and setting priorities African Centre for Statistics

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Statistics are key for scientific decision-making (1) Part 1 The importance of statistics in everyday life in a democratic society

African Centre for Statistics Statistics are key for scientific decision-making (1) Statistics are about measuring various real-world phenomena and translating the observations into numbers. As a measurement tool for socio-economic phenomena, statistics are indispensable for planning and result-based management. There are used in economic planning, business management, marketing, industry process control, and in various social sciences.

African Centre for Statistics Statistics are key for scientific decision-making (2) Statistics is an art and also a science of information gathering and decision making in an environment with uncertainty. Decisions based on sound statistics have been scientifically proved to be more likely to lead to the desirable outcomes”.

African Centre for Statistics The importance of statistics has been recognized at the highest level (1) “Statistics permeate modern life. They are the basis for many governmental, business and community decisions. They provide information and insight about the trends and forces that affect our lives. Collected in surveys and censuses, statistics affect the planning of schools, hospitals, roads and much else.” United Nations Secretary General message on World Statistics Day 2010

African Centre for Statistics The importance of statistics has been recognized at the highest level (2) “The effectiveness of national planning systems hinges largely on the quality and availability of data. Data informs the setting of priorities and facilitates the tracking of performance.” Dr. Carlos Lopes, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa

African Centre for Statistics The importance of statistics in a democratic society (1) “Reliable and available statistics can foster awareness and knowledge on a country’s social, demographic, economic and environmental conditions”*. “Statistics can provide the evidence for people in all spheres of society to make their case, to take decisions and to design policies”*. “Timely and reliable statistics can help governments make policy decisions which have a positive impact on people’s life”*. (*)Statistics Denmark (2009) - The Importance of Reliable and Available Information for Development.

African Centre for Statistics The importance of statistics in a democratic society (2) “Easy accessible statistics can help citizens hold their government accountable”. “Independent and comparable statistics can help stimulate the interest of the private sector investing in developing countries”. “Comparable statistics are needed to measure progress towards the MDGs”. (*)Statistics Denmark (2009) - The Importance of Reliable and Available Information for Development.

African Centre for Statistics Statistics are key for scientific decision-making (1) Part 2 International frameworks and recommendations for improving statistics for better development management Historical perspectives

African Centre for Statistics The International Conference on Financing for Development (2002) The International Conference on Financing for Development was held from March 2002 in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. The conference called for: –Improved policies and stronger institutions in developing countries –Increase in the amount of the aid and improvement of its use: call for better result-based management

African Centre for Statistics The Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics (2004) Recommended set of actions addressing national needs: –1. Mainstream strategic planning of statistics –2. Prepare for the 2010 population census round –3. Increase investment in statistics Recommended also set of action for international community: –4. Set up an International Household Survey Network –5. Improve MDG monitoring –6. Improve international accountability in statistics

African Centre for Statistics The Busan Action Plan for Statistics (2012) Strengthen NSDS; Implement standards for data documentation and public access; Develop programs to increase knowledge and skills needed to use statistics effectively; Monitor outcomes of all global summits; Ensure financing is robust and funding mechanisms responsive.

African Centre for Statistics Some frameworks developed by pan African institutions The Reference Regional framework for Statistical Capacity Development in Africa (RRSF). The Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA). The African Charter on Statistics.

African Centre for Statistics Statistics are key for scientific decision-making (1) Part 3 identifying gaps and setting priorities for the development of national statistical systems

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at national level: NSDS as a strategic planning tool The approach recommended by the international community is the design and implementation of a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). RRSF is a reference framework for the development of NSDSs.

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at national level: the RRSF/NSDS approach (1) NSDS should be demand focused and integrated within national development processes NSDS recommends assessing all statistical sectors and users’ needs

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at national level: the RRSF/NSDS approach (2) Assessing the national statistical system: –Collecting and analyzing existing documentation –Identifying user needs and data gaps –Assessing the quality of statistics –Taking stock of existing capacity –Reviewing the legal and institutional framework –Conduction a SWOT analysis of the system

African Centre for Statistics Example of tool for identifying gaps – Users-Producers workshops

African Centre for Statistics Setting priorities in the RRSF/NSDS approach NSDS is meant to give the national statistical system a vision and strategic plan. The steps recommended after identifying the gaps in the national statistical system are: –Define a mission and a vision –Reach an agreement on expected results –Set priorities and strategies

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at sub-regional and regional levels : Institutional framework Several sub-regional, regional and international organizations are active in statistical development on the continent: African Union Commission, African Development Bank, AFRISTAT, Economic Commission for Africa, Paris21, Regional Economic Communities, etc.

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at sub-regional and regional levels : The Statistical Commission for Africa The Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held in Addis Ababa in April 2007 endorsed the creation of the subsidiary body in charge of statistics: the Statistical Commission for Africa (StatCom-Africa), as the apex entity in statistical development on the continent.

African Centre for Statistics Identifying gaps and setting priorities at sub-regional and regional levels : StatCom-Africa working groups Data Management Development Indicators Gender Statistics Informal Sector National Accounts Environment Statistics Statistical Harmonization Statistical Training

African Centre for Statistics ACS activities in identifying gaps and setting priorities for national statistical systems (1) ACS mandate: To strengthen the availability and utilization of quality statistical information for evidence-based policy formulation and tracking progress towards the achievement of national and international development targets, including the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, within the framework of the Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity-Building in Africa in support of African integration processes.

African Centre for Statistics ACS activities in identifying gaps and setting priorities for national statistical systems (2) ACS priorities: –Advocate for statistical development in African National Statistical Systems –Build a data hub for African socio-economic data –Support the implementation of 2008 SNA –Support statistical training programmes –Advocate for Population and Housing Censuses –Implement Africa CRVS programme

African Centre for Statistics Identified gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(1) Domestic under funding Conflicting donor priorities Limited institutional capacity Low demand for quality statistics

African Centre for Statistics Identified gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(2) Data availability problems Data comparability problems Inconsistency between national and international data Insufficiencies in data periodicity and timeliness

African Centre for Statistics Some ECA publications for identifying gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(1)

African Centre for Statistics Some ECA publications for identifying gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(2)

African Centre for Statistics Some ECA publications for identifying gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(3)

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