VITAL IMPORTANCE OF STATISTICS IN AFRICAN POLICY MAKING HIGHLIGHTED AT DIRECTOR GENERALS’ MEETING

Johannesburg, South Africa 5 December 2013- Africa needs statistics that are accurate, dependable and that are available on a timely basis in order to provide reliable data on which administrators can make decisions. By being in control of its own data, the continent will be well positioned to tell its own story rather than wait for others to do so on its behalf. Such data would help shape national policies as well as ensure the successful implementation of such policies at many levels across the development spectrum. In this way, statistics can positively contribute to the development and implementation of Agenda 2063- a framework being developed by the African Union to map out Africa’s development trajectory over the next fifty years.

These were the main messages coming out of this morning’s opening session of the 7th Meeting of the Committee of Directors General of National Statistics Offices being held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting, organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, includes Directors General of National Statistics Officers (CoDGs), statisticians from African Union member states, and development partners.

The theme for the meeting is “Production of economic statistics in Africa”. Over the course of the three day meeting, the delegates will
• Discuss the challenges linked to the production of economic statistics
• Review the implementation of the African Charter on statistics and the harmonisation of statistics in Africa (SHaSA) as well as the operationalisation of the African Institute of Statistics and the Pan African Statistical Training Center
• Contribute to the formulation of the Africa development agenda 2063.

“Clearly, recognition of the need for adequate statistics which are accurate, dependable, and that are available on a timely basis is widespread nationally, regionally and internationally”, AU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Dr Anthony Maruping said today.

Dr Maruping recalled that in the past, data was sometimes generated from “interpolations, extrapolations and guesstimates”. Consequently national data would then be based on “inadequate, inaccurate and awfully stale data”, the Commissioner said, adding that in many instances, national statistics accounts are at best three years in arrears and monetary statistics are six weeks behind. To overcome these challenges he called for a revision of national policies and for the provision of adequately qualified staff who are well equipped and well supplied.

Today’s opening ceremony was also addressed by Dr Chukwudozie of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Oliver Chinyanga of the African Development Bank, and Mr Pali Lehola the Statistician General of South Africa.

The outcomes of this meeting will be presented to Ministers of Finance and Economic Planning before being considered by African Heads of State and Government so that they can be adopted and implemented.

For further information contact
Mrs Wynne Musabayana I Deputy Head of Communication and Information | African Union Commission I E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | wynnemusabayana@yahoo.com I Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union
African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The AU Vision is that of aprosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.