Strengthening Statistical Systems for Development in Africa

1. Contents • Challenges for statistics • II. Opportunities for Statistics • RRSF & NSDS

2. I. Challenges for statistics

3. Many countries caught in “vicious cycle” of statistical • under- development and under-performance High Demand II “Data Supply-constrained countries” IV “Virtuous Circle countries” Poor Quality Good Quality I “Vicious Circle countries” III “Data Demand-constrained countries” Low Demand

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5. Example: Demand for data on poverty • Planners • Policy makers • Decision-makers • Managers • Others (NGOs, • donors, etc) • Profile of the poor • who are the poor? • where are they? • how many are they? • whatis severity of poverty? • Causes of poverty • factors that cause poverty • relations among the factors • Which policy, strategy or decision? • alternatives • Changes in levels/depth of poverty (track progress - monitoring) • Are policies/actions having effect? (impact) 6

6. II. Opportunities for statistics

7. Addis Ababa Plan of Action for Statistical Development in the 1990s (AAPA) • Statistical decline in Africa in 1970s and 1980s • AAPA endorsed by African Ministers responsible for • Planning in 1992 • Objectives • reverse decline in statistical production • lay a firmer basis for development of statistics • in Africa • Recommended actions include • “African Statistics Day” celebrations, 18 Nov. • strategic planning, now NSDS • Inspired establishment of PARIS21

8. 2. Establishment of PARIS21 consortium • established in 1999 in Paris • brings together statisticians, planners, policy • makers, development partners interested in • statistical development • at the cutting - edge of: • advocacy at all levels for: • evidence-based policy and decision-making • investment in statistical development • promoting design and implementation of • NSDS • promoting general statistical development

9. 3. Managing for development results or • results agenda • Has evolved (since 2002) as a global effort among both national governments and development agencies to: • reduce poverty (headline MDG goal) • support sustainable and equitable economic growth • better define and systematically measure development outcomes • reporton achievements of outcomes and • impact of polices and programmes

10. 4. Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics (MAPS) • Endorsed at 2nd Roundtable on Managing for Results (2004) • Objective: “to improve national and international statistics • to meet the measurement challenges without which • baselines cannot be established and progress cannot be • measured” • 6 action points • Mainstream strategic planning of statistical systems • (National Strategy for the Development of Statistics – • NSDS) • Prepare for the 2010 population census round • Increase investment in statistics, etc. 11

11. III. RRSF

12. Why a New Framework? • Addis Ababa Plan of Action for Statistical Development in Africa in 1990s (AAPA) did not succeed in improving the Statistical Systems in Africa (1990s lost decade) Learned lessons from AAPA • New development frameworks (PRSP’s, National development plans, NEPAD, MDG’s, etc.) created new data demand • Countries’ strong commitments towards managing for development results • Strong need for a statistical renaissance Statistical needs • Meet data challenges of the results agenda by 2015 Target 13

13. Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa (RRSF) • Developed & endorsed in 2006 by DGs of NSOs & development partners • Endorsed in 2007 by the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic and Development Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building (RRSF)

14. Objectives of the RRSF (2006) Overall Objective • To contribute to improved development outcomes and good governance by strengthening national statistical systems in Africa. • Raising Societal Awareness of the Role of Statistical Information • Increasing User Satisfaction by Enhancing the Quality and Usability of Statistical Information • Promoting Greater Use of Statistical Information • Achieving Synergy, Cost-Effectiveness, and Sustainability in National Statistical Systems Specific Objectives 15

15. The overall strategy to achieve this objective is for countries to develop an National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) based on the principles developed by PARIS21 and partners. Overall strategy

16. Some outcomes • improved statistical advocacy at all levels • ( e.g. statistical autonomy, improved • infrastructure for statistics at country level, • African Charter on Statistics) • stronger statistical functions at AfDB, UNECA, AU • greater coordination, collaboration & • partnerships (coordination structures at country • level, at continental level unprecedented • partnerships between AU, AfDB & UNECA) • design and implementation of NSDS in many • countries (improved capacity, better data, etc)

17. RRSF Implementation: 3 Levels • Through National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) National Level • Undertake “peer review” of country national statistical systems Regional Level • AfDB & UNECA: leadership and co- • ordination • AU: strong advocacy role • - African Charter on Statistics • - SHaSA Continental Level

18. Statistical principles and frameworks MAPS (BUSAN) MAPS International International RRSF RRSF Continental Continental ( SHaSA ) (SHaSA) UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics un un Regional Stat. UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics REC (EAC) /Sub (EAC) - Dev. Plan African Charter on Statistics NSDS NSDS National National African Charter on Statistics

19. Thank You