1. The Challenges of the Compilation of National Accounts in the Framework of the International Comparison Program for Africa (ICP-Africa)
Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Growth and Development
Luxembourg, 6-8 May 2008
Michel MOUYELO-KATOULA
Manager, Statistical Capacity Building Division
African Development Bank Group (ADB)

2. Outline
Context
Capacity Building
AfDB’s Approach
The Way Forward
Other Strategic Aspects

3. Cross-country comparison of real GDPs
Context
Cross-country comparison of real GDPs
2 – Expenditure Weights
3 - Measuring the impact of economic competition
1 – Price Data

4. AfDB’s Approach to Country Support
A 5-step capacity building exercise
Phase 1: Diagnosis
Phase 2: Classification & Guidelines
Phase 3: Regional Workshops
Phase 4: Technical Assistance
Phase 5: Medium to Long-term Goals
Statistics Output Oriented Workshops (SOoW)
Clinic approach
Cross-fertilization
Work on computers
Multilateral review of GDP statistics
Compilation of Metadata

5. A Capacity Building Exercise
Help countries produce required expenditure weight data
Assess country capacity
Develop a general framework
Step-by-step guidelines
Increased reliability of national accounts
Consistency with official estimates
Great detail of expenditures
200 basic categories
Broad base partnership
Country level
Sub-regional & regional support
International partnership
Long-term quality improvement objectives
Meta data questionnaire;
Exchange of best practices;
Participatory process

6. The Way Forward (1) Strategic Principles
Joint development of methodologies;
ICP as a validation framework;
Regular follow up of recommendations
No additional recommendations;
ICP dimension in statistical training;
Update metadata questionnaire;
Cross-country review of metadata.
The African Group on National Accounts (AGNA)
Established under the StatCom-Africa;
First meeting in Lusaka, April 2008;
ToRs include preparation of a strategy

7. The Way Forward (2) Strategy for Implementation of SNA 1993 in Africa
Conceptualization phase
Period:
16 strategic items
Leverage on existing activities
Include NPISH surveys.
AGNA Recommendations
To countries
To SROs
To AfDB
To AfDB, ECA & AU

8. The Way Forward (3) – Main Recommendations
To countries
Provide 2007 GDP estimates;
Advocate for support;
Complete surveys on NPISHs;
Private sector accounts
To AfDB
Next meeting July, 2008, Tunis
Technical assistance to countries;
Liaise with SROs
To AfDB, ECA, AU
Jointly coordinate regional program

9. Other Strategic Aspects
AfDB/IMF/AfDB Collaborative Strategy ?
1. Convergence role of SNA;
2. Improved basic data sets;
3. Streamline National Accounts;
4. Consolidate N.A. processes;
5. No externalized estimates;
6. Multidisciplinarity;
7. N.A. in NSDSs;
8. Coordinate international support;
9. Facilitate N.A. review processes;
10. Support sub-regional organiz;
11. Metadata system;
12. Unify GDDS & SNA metadata;
13. Provide support to N.A. forecast;
14. Support Statistical Training.

10. Thank You