Data for managing development

African Centre for Statistics

United Nations Economic Commission for AfricaUnited Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Data for managing development

Identifying gaps and setting priorities



United Nations Economic Commission for AfricaUnited Nations Economic Commission for AfricaStatistics are key for scientific decision-making (1)

Part 1

The importance of statistics in everyday life in a democratic

society


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.



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”.


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


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


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.


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.



Part 2

International frameworks and recommendations for

improving statistics for better development

management

Historical perspectives


The International Conference on Financing for Development (2002)

• The International Conference on Financing for Development was held from 18-22 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


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


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.


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.



Part 3

identifying gaps and setting priorities for the

development of national statistical systems


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.


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


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


Example of tool for identifying gaps – Users-Producers workshops


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


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.



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.



StatCom-Africa working groups

• Data Management• Development Indicators• Gender Statistics• Informal Sector• National Accounts• Environment Statistics• Statistical Harmonization• Statistical Training


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.


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


Identified gaps and challenges in African National Statistical Systems(1)

• Domestic under funding

• Conflicting donor priorities

• Limited institutional capacity

• Low demand for quality 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


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






Thank you!

Documents

Data for managing development