Programme Overview

I.OBJECTIVE

To strengthen capacities for statistical development at national, subregional and regional levels, including the promotion of the development of improved and integrated statistical databases in support of decision-making and policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation.

II.EXPECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. Improved range, quality and comparability of African statistics and better focus on prevailing needs;



2. Improved capacities for the development of statistical information systems at national, subregional and regional levels.

III.OUTPUTS

During the biennium (2004-2005), the following outputs will be delivered:

1. Substantive servicing of:
   
   
   • The fourth meeting of the Committee on Development Information (CODI) and its Subcommittee on Statistics;
   • The thirty-seventh session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and its Committee of Experts.


2. Parliamentary documentation
   
   
   • Six reports to CODI IV Statistics Subcommittee on: Follow-up to The recommendations of CODI III; Strategic Framework for Statistical Development in Africa; Statistics at ECA –A framework for Action; Development of Statistical Databases in Africa; Implementation of the 1993 System of National Accounts (SNA) in Africa; and, ECA Statistical Activities;
   • One report to the thirty-seven session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on strategies to boost statistical development in Africa.


3. Ad hoc Expert Group Meetings

   Annual Meetings of the Advisory Board on Statistics in Africa (ABSA).

4. Recurrent Publications
   
   
   • African socio-economic indicators;
   • African Statistical Yearbook;
   • Integrated national and sub regional economic, social and environmental indicators; and,
   • Compendium of intra-African and related foreign trade statistics.


5. Non-Recurrent Publications
   
   
   • Study on the organization and management of national statistical offices/institutes;
   • Study on the use of geographic information systems in national statistical offices for data collection and poverty mapping;


6. Booklets, fact sheets, wall charts, information kits
   
   
   • Promotional materials for African Statistics Day (posters and press communiqués); and;
   • Statistical Newsletter (quarterly).


7. Special events
   
   
   • African Statistics Day (18 November); and,
   • Forum on African Statistical Development (FASDEV)


8. Technical material
   
   
   • ECA Statistics Web Site;
   • Household survey files;
   • Regional statistical database; and,
   • Database of statisticians, statisticians-economists and demographers


9. Group Training /Workshops
   
   
   • Workshop on new database development technologies;
   • Workshop on the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in national statistical offices (NSOs) for data collection, dissemination and poverty mapping;
   • Workshop on compilation of national accounts within the framework of the 1993 SNA and use of national accounts for policy analysis; and,
   • Workshop on poverty statistics.


10. Advisory services

    Ten advisory missions in the various areas of statistical development, at the request of African governments, subregional and regional institutions.

11. Fellowships

    Three fellowships to enhance capacity in household surveys, poverty measurement and analysis.

12. Field Projects

    Field project on strengthening capacity for statistical services in Africa (with emphasis on Database Development, National Accounts and Household Surveys).