1. Namibia Experience in the use of Administrative DataBy
Alex Shimuafeni
(Statistician-General)

2. Outline Introduction Brief background of the NSA
Sources of administrative data
Main uses of administrative data
Weaknesses and gaps in the admin. Process
Attempts of filling the gaps
Solution to conflicting data
Conclusion & recommendations

3. Introduction
National Statistics Offices (NSOs)play an important role all over the world as they are tasked with providing relevant, timely and accurate statistics

4. Brief background of the NSA
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) was established by Act of Parliament, Statistics Act No. 9 of 2011
Replaced the Central Bureau of Statistics, Government Department

5. Brief background (Continued)
The present statistical system of Namibia is a decentralized one
Other role players are mandated by their respective acts to collect data.
The NSA responsible for carrying out the Censuses and Household based surveys

6. Institutional management
NSA has developed a policy document that provides adequate basis to guide the process of data collection and dissemination.
The aims, objectives and strategies of an efficient statistical system are explained in the policy

7. Institutional management (Continued)
Some of the relevant goals in the Policy as set out in the Institutional Management arrangements are:
Achieving objectives in a cost-effective and efficient manner
address the efficient use of resources in the collection of data
Encourage co-operation among data producers

8. Sources of administrative
Main sources of administrative data used in the
Sources of administrative
Main sources - mostly from the line Ministries, Government Agencies, and Non- governmental organisations.
Vital registration data from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration
Min of Home Affairs has automated its process but not all data
For the compilations of National Accounts, various sources are used
Big data is also part of Admin Records

9. Main uses of Administrative data
The administrative data are used to compile
national accounts,
trade statistics
comprehensive Statistical year book (Statistical Abstract)
Business Register (but Treasury reluctant to provide data)
Labour Market Info System

10. Purpose of administrative data
Admin data collected for non-statistical purposes.
Need for adoption for production of statistics

11. Weaknesses or gaps in the administrative processes
Some of the problems encountered relate to the coverage of the records, the point or period in time to which they refer, and to the definition and classification of variables.

12. Weaknesses or gaps in the administrative processes
Other limitations talks to the training of the compilers.
methodology for recording appropriate information may leave a lot to be desired

13. Attempts for filling these weaknesses or gaps
NSA as part of its coordination role has been making positive strides in strengthening the Namibia Statistics System (NSS) to promote efficiency and enhancing data quality.
Deliberate efforts to break the silo mentality.
Statistics Association will help to close these gaps

14. Attempts for filling these weaknesses or gaps (Continued)
Harmonise definitions and classifications, reduce overlaps, explain and document differences in methods and practices.
NSA to take the lead!!

15. Conflicting data - how have they been dealt with.
NSA has developed and implemented many MOU’S with many line ministries and Government Agencies.
Conflict of data has been addressed by harmonization of concepts and definitions and methodology of data collection.

16. Conclusions and recommendations
No need to re-invent the wheel: WHO signed with Stats SA who was then asked by WHO to sign with NSA.
disadvantages over concepts, definitions, coverage & quality discourage the use of administrative data to generate statistics,
it is suggested that more work has to be done in order to reduce statistical differences.

17. Conclusions and recommendations..
Increased use of administrative data will require
Conclusions and recommendations..
Increased use of administrative data will require quality issues to be addressed: the idea of administrative data as a 'cost free' source be revisited
Strong cooperation between Statistics Office and Government Agencies dealing with administrative data is key to guarantee quality of data (Leadership in NSS required).

18. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION