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Forum on African Statistics Development
(FASDEV-II)

Addis Ababa, 9 – 10 February 2006

    FASDEV    

Final Report

Report of the Second Forum on African Statistical Development
(FASDEV II),
Addis Ababa, 9 to 10 February 2006

Attendance

  1. The second Forum on African Statistical Development (FASDEV II) was held at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Addis Ababa from 9 to 10 February 2006, with a pre-conference devoted to the meeting of heads of African National Statistical Offices convened from 6 to 8 February 2006.
  2. The major sponsors of the FASDEV, i.e. the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the OECD/PARIS21 (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development / Parternership in Statistics for Development in 21 st century) and the ECA (Economic Commission for Africa), attended the meeting.
  3. In addition, representatives from African National Statistical Offices (NSOs), line ministries, Training centres, and regional and international organizations attended the meeting:

Opening Ceremony (Agenda item 1)

Welcoming address

  1. The Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh chaired the opening session. He made the welcoming address and invited respectively the Commissioner of the African Union, the representatives of the African Development Bank, the OECD-DAC and the World Bank to make an opening address.
  2. In his address, Mr. Abdoulie JANNEH, the Executive Secretary of the UNECA welcomed all the participants to the Second FASDEV. He underlined the instrumental role the forum has played in the coordination and harmonization of efforts towards enhancing statistical capacity in the region. He emphasized the need for closer collaboration among Africa’s key regional institutions; namely the ECA, the AU and the AfDB. He bemoaned the sorry state of Africa’s statistical infrastructure despite numerous efforts to promote statistical development. The continent’s statistical systems are unable to feed the growing demand for quality data required for evidence-based planning and policy formulation, as well as political decision-making, in a sustainable manner. He praised the present gathering of Africa’s development partners, as members of FASDEV, as a clear sign of the new international willingness to rectify this problem.He pointed out the main objective of this second FASDEV to adopt the “Regional Reference Strategic Framework for statistical development in Africa” as the common reference for all statistical development activities in the region. He finally reiterated ECA’s commitment to working with other stakeholders in promoting statistical development in Africa. Specifically, the Commission will embark in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the reference regional strategic framework in close collaboration with all partners involved in this endeavour.
  3. Dr Maxwell M. MKWEZALAMBA, Commissioner for Economic Affairs of the African Union,in his opening address, thanked the ECA for its relentless efforts in advancing the cause for Africa’s development. He then, underlined the critical role of quality statistics for better policy development, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. The transformation of the OAU to the AU with new and revamped development programmes such as NEPAD is a clear demonstration of the African leaders’ commitment to advance the socio-economic development of the continent. These initiatives have increased demand for quality data in terms of timeliness, accuracy, reliability and accessibility. The AU has therefore undertaken the establishment of a statistical Unit within its commission. FASDEV was a timely opportunity for the AU to exchange information with other stakeholders on what each was doing and how much more needed to be done. It is a timely opportunity to network and share information on how all the stakeholders could contribute to the dream of a prosperous Africa.
  4. Mr. Janvier LITSE, Director of Planning and Budgeting Department of the African Development Bank, gave a statement on behalf of his organization. He pointed out that, the move towards development effectiveness and evidence-based policy formulation has raised the profile of statistics. This has placed new demand on statistical system and highlighted fundamental weaknesses inherent in Africa’s statistical system. He welcomed the opportunity that FASDEV presented to stakeholders to harmonize and coordinate efforts toward statistical development in Africa. This was necessary to reduce waste and improve data quality. He indicated the key initiatives of his organization in the area of statistical development, namely, the production of the RRSF, the ICP-Africa programme, the African Statistical journal and a programme for the monitoring of the MDG. He ended his address by an appeal to the partners in development, to support statistical development and the RRSF for the critical role it is intended to play.
  5. Mr. Richard MANNING, OECD-DAC Manager and PARIS21 Co-Chair, thanked the ECA for hosting the event and welcomed all the participants to this second FASDEV. He underlined the increased recognition among policy makers of the need for statistics both to influence and monitor development outcomes. He also underlined the recognition among statisticians of the greater challenges they face in meeting the new data needs. PARIS21’s goals are to develop a culture of evidence-based policy making and implementation to improve governance and government effectiveness in reducing poverty and achieving the MDGs. To help meet these challenges, PARIS21 is supporting many countries in developing strategic plans for statistics (NSDSs). Statistics must be seen by both governments and donors as a key cross-cutting component when they allocate resources and there is now a big improvement in recognition of the need to harmonize procedures between donors and to align with national processes.

    Marrakech declaration, FASDEV I, and now the RRSF are landmarks for statistical development in Africa. The outcome of this meeting and its follow-up activities should make every African Ministry of Finance and National Statistical service and every financial and technical donor partner more aware of the needs for capacity building, country ownership and adequate funding of statistical activities. Paris21 will engage in this advocacy by writing to all donors and all relevant African ministries in the near future to stress this point.
  6. In her opening address, the representative of the World Bank, Ms.Shaida BADIEE, Director of the Development Data Group, stressed the importance of FASDEV. FASDEV provides a mechanism for information sharing, coordination and collaboration among partners. She informed the meeting that the World Bank is in a process of developing the Africa’s Action Plan and has embraced the concept of development results. She added that the RRSF was a good framework for statistical development in Africa. For the process to be a success, international organizations should strengthen their coordination efforts, advocacy role and information sharing.

Overview and Major features of the RRSF

  1. Mr. Oladejo AJAYI, International Consultant, presented an overview and the major features of the RRSF. The RRSF was the result of extended consultations and missions, undertaken by four consultants, hired by the ADB, the ECA, PARIS21 and the World Bank, to over 20 African countries and to about 40 Sub-regional, regional, International organizations and bilateral development partners, to determine the current state of national statistical. The assessment identified strengths to build upon, weaknesses to resolve, opportunities to exploit, and treats to avoid. Statistics are crucial for improving development outcomes, decision making at all levels, management of business, facilitating research, and personal decision-making. While recognizing the importance of demand from external users, in the framework, national needs were considered as top priority. The upsurge in the demand of data presented both challenges to already weak and struggling National Statistical System (NSS) and opportunities, particularly with respect to raising the profile of NSS and harnessing resources.

    African countries can grossly be categorized as “Vicious circle countries” where statistics are of poor quality and both the supply of and demand for statistics are low; “data supply –constrained countries” where statistics are weak, policy-makers increasingly use statistics”; and “data demand-constrained countries” where quantity and quality of statistics are improving but they are not being used due to lack of incentives and low capacity to use. In all the three categories, there is a need to increase both the demand and supply of statistics and their quality. Dialogue between users and producers made and countries should endeavour to strategically move to the fourth group – the ideal situation –”the virtous circle countries” where statistics are improving and increasingly used for decision-making.

    Regarding data needed to assess development strategies & frameworks dictate needs for Indicators of inputs, outputs, impacts, and outcomes. As there is a resource limitation most data needs can’t be met. Hence, priorities have to be made which data to produce. Core outputs of NSS are top priority. The presenter also highlighted some of the major problems of NSS, constraints and challenges related to demand for statistics. He underlined the relation between the RRSF and the national strategy for the development of statistics (NSDS). The RRSF is guide to actions, which is the NSDS, and the two are well complementary.

    Commitment of states is important for the development of statistics. In this regard the role of AU in attaining the political commitment at countries level is crucial for the success of the RRSF.

Session 1: A Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa (Agenda item 2)

  1. The first session was chaired by Mr. Augustin FOSU, Director of ESPD, UNECA. The session comprised the adoption of the agenda and three presentations on the RRSF followed by discussion.
  2. The meeting considered and adopted the provisional agenda contained in document and opted for the discussions at the end of each of the sessions.
  3. Agenda of the meeting:

Opening ceremony

Session 1: the Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa

Adoption of the agenda

The objectives and Strategies of the RRSF

Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation of the RRSF

Keys recommendations of the RRSF

Discussion

Session 2: Current and Planned Statistical Programmes to Support and Boost the RRSF Implementation

International Results Agenda – The Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics

Statistical Development in Africa: NSDS Progress Report.

Progress on the implementation of the African Development Bank’s Statistical Capacities building activities in the context of the international Comparison Program for Africa (ICP-Africa)

The 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses

An Accelerated Data Program for Africa Building on the Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics

Discussion

Session 3: Partners’ support to Statistical Capacity Building in Africa: Perspectives in the Framework of the RRSF

Review of Support to Statistical Capacity Building from reporting to collaboration: The Light Reporting Mechanism

Mainstreaming Statistics in Africa: A Summary of IMF technical assistance programme in statistics in Africa:

Contribution from partners

Discussion

Session 4: Commitment on Statistical development in Africa in order to meet data requirements for Measuring Development Outcomes

Conclusions and recommendations of FASDEV-II / Communiqué of FASDEV-II

Discussion

Closing Ceremony

The objectives and Strategies of the RRSF

  1. Mr. Nittala Sastry, international consultant, presented the Objectives and Strategies of the RRSF. He pointed out that the RRSF comes with one global objective and four specific objectives to overcome identified problems and constraints and meet the challenges.

    The overall objective of the RRSF was “to contribute to improved development outcomes and good governance by strengthening national statistical systems in Africa” while the specific objectives include: (i) Raising Societal Awareness of the Role of Statistical Information, (ii) Increasing User Satisfaction by Enhancing the Quality and Usability of Statistical Information, (iii) Promoting Greater Use of Statistical Information, (iv) Achieving Synergy, Cost-Effectiveness, and Sustainability in National Statistical Systems.

    These objectives will be achieved through a number of strategies. The overall strategy supports all of the objectives while some of the specific strategies support more than one objective. Some of these strategies build on existing statistical frameworks and initiatives. He also mentioned that the specific strategies are not in order of priority and countries are urged to prioritize them themselves, depending on the state of their statistical development.

    The overall objective is to develop statistical systems in Africa based on the principles of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). He also discussed thoroughly the specific strategies the will be used to achieve the objectives of the framework.

The RRSF: Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

  1. Prof. Ben Kiregyera Team Leader of the consultants explained the importance of implementation and disclosed that implementing, monitoring and reporting will be supported by ECA and ADB’s structures and ongoing statistical programmes.

    He also highlighted the role of key stakeholders. Countries, which are the prime beneficiaries of the framework, have the primary responsibility for its implementation. Director of NSOs prime movers, will oversee oversee awareness creation and the implementation. Each country will designate a Framework Coordinator. Each country will also design or update its National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS).

    Sub-Regional organizations will designate a coordinator at their level and create awareness. They will provide back up to country coordinators in creating awareness, coordinate with Regional Coordinator and periodic reporting.

    With respect to Regional organizations: ECA/ADB/AU will create strategy awareness regionally and internationally; ECA and ADB will play leading roles in coordinating, implementing, monitoring and reporting. They need to agree on appropriate coordination mechanism, and create high level awareness and support Sub-regional and Countries’ Coordinators. Donors and International organizations will have greater roll in supporting statistical capacity building.

The RRSF: Key Recommendations:

  1. Mr. Richard Robert, international consultant, explained that the RRSF is a broad strategic document and not an action plan. The overarching recommendation is all countries should update and /or prepare their NSDS by end of 2006. He then listed the other key recommendations of the RRSF, namely:

Discussion:

  1. The meeting raised the following issues:

Funding:

Advocacy:

Coordination and reporting:

Sectoral statistics

Integrity of the NSOs:

Role of the AU

Statistics at the ECA

ICP-Africa

Methodology issues:

Human resources and training:

Responses to the issues raised:

  1. With regard to the regional coordinator for the RRSF, it was explained that countries can choose their own way to handle it, however, to coordinate and get information from countries it was suggested to use existing structure and have regional coordinator within them.

    The importance of advocacy at all level was stressed and the best way to advocate statistics is to provide the right data to the right people at the right time.

    The AU involvement in the process is critical for advocacy at the highest level;

    The time frame for the implementation of the RRSF will come after the coordination work of the main partners has been sorted out. However, if an NSO has the required preparation it is not important to wait.

    It was also agreed to accommodate the importance of agricultural census as one of the recommendations.

    To keep the professional integrity of NSOs it was suggested to have proper legislation with sufficient autonomy.

    Professional independence can be strengthened by using a fixed schedule for publication of outputs, so that interference with the data is limited;

    Further it was suggested to democratize statistics by involving other stakeholders in the process and stressed the need to stick to the principles of statistics. It was also suggested to have scheduled publication of outputs before interference.

    Monitoring and reporting should be light not to overburden NSOs, and it is not envisaged to be too heavy in practice, even though it is important.

    The Executed Secretary has promised that the ECA will play his role and there is no sign this should be mistrusted.

Session 2: Current and Planned Statistical Programmes to Support and Boost the RRSF Implementation (Agenda item 3)

  1. The second session FASDEV-II on “Current and Planned Statistical Programs to Support and Boost RRSF Implementation” was chaired by Mr. Mouyelo-Katoula, ICP-Africa Regional Coordinator, ADB.

International Results Agenda – The Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics (MAPS)

  1. The first presentation of the session was made by Mr. Neil Fantom, Senior Statistician, DDG, World Bank, and was entitled “International Results Agenda – The Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics – Helping to Improve Statistical Capacity in Africa”. Despite improvements in statistical capacity, measuring development progress is still difficult in the case of the 670 million people in 48 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. MAPS is a plan to improve development statistics at both the national and international level, and costs $75 million per year for Africa. It relies on partnership. Its key aim is to meet the data challenge of the MDGs by 2010 and 2015 by improving statistical capacity. Given the slow pace of implementation, a Pilot Accelerated Data Program for Africa was offered by the World Bank that builds on the Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics for six selected countries – Congo DR, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique and Niger.

Statistical Development in Africa: NSDS Progress Report.

  1. The second presentation of the session was made by Mr. Antoine Simonpietri, manager, Paris21 Secretariat and was entitled Statistical Development in Africa: NSDS Progress Report. Mr. Simonpietri informed the meeting that 14 countries had designed strategies for statistical development, 29 were in the process of doing so, and five were as yet without strategies for statistical development.

Progress on the implementation of the African Development Bank’s (ADB) Statistical Capacities building activities in the context of the international Comparison Program for Africa (ICP-Africa)

  1. The third presentation of the session was by Mr. Michel Mouyelo-Katoula , ICP-Africa Regional Coordinator, African Development Bank, and was entitled “Supporting the Regional Reference Statistical Framework (RRSF) through the International Comparison Program for Africa (ICP-Africa)”. ADB is exercising the statistical dimension of its mandate through the implementation of a multi-component statistical capacity-building program. All African countries can benefit from ADB’s support. As regards geographical coverage of current activities, 52 countries are covered by MDG monitoring and statistical literacy, 51 countries are participating in the ICP, and at least 25 countries can be funded by ADB for NSDS. Partnership in the ADB Statistical Capacity Building Program is in line with RRSF strategies of advocacy and partnership.

The 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses

  1. The fourth presentation of the session was by Mr. Dimitri Sanga, Senior Statistician, ESPD, ECA, and was entitled “The 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses”. The 2005 UN Statcom approved the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses. An Expert Group was established on the 2010 RPHC with mandates to help countries to conduct one population and housing census during the period 2005-14, produce an updated version of the United Nations Principles and Recommendations (P&R), and provide a platform for a comprehensive exchange of experiences, countries’ participation, technical assistance, information and data dissemination. The ECA has undertaken various activities in support of the 2010 RPHC, namely, the preparation of a paper for the August 2005 Expert Group Meeting, membership to the various drafting Groups and technical subgroups, participation in the review and update of the P&R and the articulation of a regional position on the 2010 RPHC; and the strong commitment of the UNECA Executive Secretary in support of the 2010 RPHC.

An Accelerated Data Program for Africa Building on the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics

    24. The final presentation of the second session was by Mr. Olivier Dupriez, Senor Economist/Statistician DDG, World Bank, and was entitled “An Accelerated Data Program (ADP) for Africa Building on the Marrakesh Action Plan for Statistics”. He pointed out that significant data gaps result from the infrequency of surveys. The objective of the ADP is to improve the data availability and quality in Sub-Saharan Africa in a level sufficient for measurting development results by 2010 and 2015. To achieve this objective in each pilot country, activities would relate to inventory, documentation and dissemination of existing surveys microdata, analysis of existing surveys data and assessment of the past surveys programmes, and development of an improved survey program and data collection. The presenter concluded by pointing to the need for “scaling-up” and moving beyond the pilot phase of the Accelerated Data Program.

Discussion:

  1. The participants raised the following issues:

Users/Producers dialogue

Household surveys and 2010 RPHC

The Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics

ICP-Africa

Session 3: Partners’ support to Statistical Capacity Building in Africa: Perspectives in the Framework of the RRSF (Agenda item 4)

  1. The session 3 on “Partners’ support to Statistical Capacity Building in Africa: Perspectives in the Framework of the RRSF” was chaired by Mr. Misha BELKINDAS, Manager of the Development Data Group of the World Bank. The session review presentations from PARIS21 and IMF as well as contribution from other partners.

Review of Support to Statistical Capacity Building from reporting tocollaboration: The Light Reporting Mechanism

  1. The first presentation of the session was made by Mr. Antoine SIMONPIETRI, Manager of the PARIS21 Secretariat and was entitled “Review of Support to Statistical Capacity Building from reporting to collaboration: The Light Reporting Mechanism (LRM)”.

    The objective of the light reporting mechanism is to provide an inventory of statistical support to sub-Saharan African countries in order to improve donors’ harmonisation and collaboration. The LRM will also help identify countries or areas requiring support. The LRM will help development partners in designing their assistance programmes, the NSDS design teams for funding strategy and national policymakers and planners to formulate action plans for Statistical Capacities Building activities.

    The Light Reporting System (LRS) includes stand-alone and statistical components of larger projects and programmes. The report reviewed the statistical capacity building activities and commitment for projects of 56 development partners, 20 bilateral donors, 17 multilateral agencies, 3 regional organizations, 11 sub-regional organizations, statistical training institutes, and 1 foundation from 2004 to 2005.

    The light reporting exercise (LRE) comes up with key results on donors contributions to SCB and supports received by countries during major statistical activities (household surveys, population censuses,). The role of sub-regional organizations is growing as vehicle for partners’ financing and funding to statistical training centres and scholarships are decreasing.

Mainstreaming Statistics in Africa: A Summary of IMF technical assistance programme in statistics in Africa:

  1. The second presentation of the third session was made by Mr. William Alexander, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Statistics Department and was entitled “Mainstreaming Statistics in Africa: A Summary of IMF technical assistance programme in statistics in Africa”. The IMF provides its member countries with Policy advice, financial and technical assistance (TA) in statistics and in other areas. TA in statistics to Africa is provided via Missions from headquarters, GDDS projects and 2 AFRITACS located in Tanzania and Mali. TA in Africa is provided in collaboration with the United Nations, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, PARIS21, African regional organizations, and bilateral donors, mainly Japan and the United Kingdom, within the framework of the Monterrey Consensus and the Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics.

    The presenter underlined the need to mainstream the GDDS into the PRSP as there are similar processes been implemented separately. He pointed out that about 78% of donors rely on the PRSP to program their aid where Developing countries use the PRSP to prioritize budgetary expenditures. The Integration of the GDDS and PRSP processes is essential to address the weakness inherent in each framework. Mainstreaming the strategic statistical issues into the PRSP is essential in making the document an evidence-based performance framework.

Contribution from Partners

  1. The following organizations contributed under this agenda item: UNSD, FAO, UNESCO, ILO, EUROSTAT, DFID, HMN, AFRISTAT, BCEAO, ENSEA and IFORD.
  1. UNSD
  1. The representative of the UNSD, Ms Francesca Perucci, addressed the issues of statistical capacity building in connection with development outcomes monitoring through a presentation entitled “Building Capacities to monitor development”. She pointed out that the process of monitoring the MDGs at national and global levels has been instrumental in increasing the demand and the use of statistics for policy making. Monitoring requirements have called the attention to the shortcomings in the availability of data. The Monitoring reports are important advocacy tool for strengthening statistical capacity and improving statistics

    The presenter indicated that African countries’ MDGs data are available for most of the indicators but less frequently than elsewhere. The data are in general less recent and no data is available in some crucial areas such as employment. Discussion on countries’ capacity to provide timely MDGs data will take place at the next Statistical Commission in March 2006.

    The presenter ended her address by providing information on the UNSD’s role and key activities. The United Nations’ statistical division (UNSD) works at fostering statistical development in all members states. It works at the request of countries and plays a role in ensuring that countries priorities areconsidered in the delivery of financial and technical assistance. The technical assistance are nationally controlled and coordinated. The key activities of the UNSD consist of statistical systems building, provision of good statistical governance and knowledge transfer. The division also undertakes a continuous dialogue and collaboration with the UN-system and other international agencies and link with political debate and decision making, through ECOSOC
  1. FAO:
  1. The presenter indicated that the FAO is not a donor organization but gives technical support in the form of training to help countries’ statistical capacity building, specifically in agricultural statistics. The FAO can provide technical assistance on request through its offices stationed in Dakar and Abidjan for Western Africa: Addis Ababa and Dar-es Salaam for Eastern Africa: Cairo and Algiers for Northern Africa: Harare and Pretoria for Southern Africa.

    The presenter informed the meeting that, in 2003, a survey was launched to evaluate countries'' agricultural system and besides that other surveys related to agriculture are also done to follow up the progress of agricultural systems in countries. The FAO owns a web based agricultural database (FAOSTAT) which is believed to become obsolete and a need for new database: CountrySTAT. CountrySTAT integrates specific approaches and has several modules one of which facilitates coordination between Agricultural survey and population and housing census.

    He ended his address by reiterating the full support of the FAO to the new RRSF.

  1. UNESCO
  1. The representative of UNESCO indicated that his organization has an Institute of Statistics in Montreal which is less known for its Statistical Capacity Building Programme and has two polls in Africa. The UNESCO helps countries to develop their own statistical system and has developed flexible tools to allow statisticians deal with fast and low cost censuses. These activities are financed by extra budgetary resources of the European Commission and the World Bank.He ended his presentation by reiterating of the UNESCO fully commitment to helping the RRSF.
  1. ILO
  1. The representative of the ILO indicates the full support of his organization to the RRSF since it is a very realistic Framework. ILO can contribute to this framework in Setting Standards, Providing Technical Assistance and Dissemination of Labor Information. ILO holds conferences of labor statisticians that help on Concepts, Methodological Issues and Resolutions. Areas where ILO is working on in Africa include: Labor Market Information Library Network, Information database applications and generation of Statistics on Child labor. In this regard support is provided to African countries and 3 manuals are produced on visible and invisible child labor.

    The presenter informed the meeting that the ILO compiles and disseminate labor statistics Its Labor statistics database is constantly updated and there is also a year book of Labor statistics published in CD-ROMs. Currently, key Indicators of Labor statistics are identified and ILO encourages countries to have Micro data access policy.
  1. EUROSTAT
  1. The representative of EUROSTAT indicated that his organization will assist in the coordination of European Union’s countries contribution to statistics. He informed the meeting that support from EUROSTAT is demand driven and a request for support should come from countries. EUROSTAT is not a donor but has two technical cooperation units. It has developed EUROTRACE for foreign trade statistics and ERETES for national accounts, surveys of household consumption and measurement of the informal sector. A new bug free version of EUROTRACE is currently available but the ERETES is still not yet bug free.

    The presenter welcomed the Light Reporting Approach presented by PARIS21 and mentions that DAC Coding systems could be useful.

  1. DFID
  1. The DFID works with countries and provides support on the implementation of PRSPs. Persistent request from countries is required to obtain support from DFID. It supports initiatives like the PARIS21 Light Reporting System and the IMF GDDS.
  1. HMN (Health Matrix Network)
  1. HMN (Health Matrix Network) is a global foundation funded by the Gates foundation and works towards availability and quality information related to health for policy and strategy. The network was founded in May 2005 and since then has been dedicated mostly on letting people know about HMN. HMN is involved in developing standards for health information systems and is committed to work with all involved with respect to statistical capacity building and the RRSF. 41 countries are funded by the HMN for strengthening their Health Information Systems (HIS) assessment and it works hand in hand with statistical systems.

CONTRIBUTION FROM SUB REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

  1. AFRISTAT
  1. The presenter from AFRISTAT underlined the importance of solidarity in the effort to develop statistics and qualified it as a fundamental principle. He mentioned that AFRISTAT undertakes statistical data collection and supports capacity building in statistics. Other activities include Research programmes and training to ensure development of statistical capacity building in African countries.

    AFRISTAT disseminates statistical information through its website and has a major programme with ACBF and the World Bank in the area fo data dissemination.
  1. BCEAO (West African Central Bank)
  1. The BCEAO is the common central bank to eight west African states (Benin, Burkina, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Togo, Senegal, ). It coordinates his statistical activities with NSOs, mainly in the area of economic and financial statistics. It gives support to statistical capacity building through trainings, but does not provide financial support.

    The bank disseminates all aggregates data of the banks under his jurisdiction. The bank has a website which is also used to disseminate information to users.
  1. ENSEA
  1. The presenter indicated that that ENSEA produces periodic research documents. The school is in preparation to establish a department dedicated to high level research and has a plan to commence programmes for non francophone countries which requires funding.

    The presenter finally spotted the budget insufficiency as the major bottleneck the school is facing.
  1. IFORD
  1. The presenter indicated that IFORD was established in 1971 by the ECOWAS member countries and works towards tackling shortage of statistics professionals and for the promotion of research activities. It provides Technical Support to countries and is currently undertaken a study on the consequences of staff migration in Central Africa. The institution supports the evaluation of the impact of vaccinations in some countries. IFORD is in the process of formalizing cooperation agreement with NSOs.

    The presenter underlined the financial issues as the key difficulty the institute is facing and concluded by informing that IFORD fully supports and commends the RRSF and is willing to contribute towards its implementation.

Issues raised by participants:

  1. The participants discussed the following issues:

    The ECOWAS informed the meeting that there it has a Statistical Policy, which is updated every year, and in that policy 12 strategies are stated which are crucial for development of statistics.

    ACBF mentioned that they are responsible to carry out the necessary analysis in the implementation of the Light Reporting System document prepared by PARIS21. It was also mentioned that ACBF finances workshops on Macro Economics and Statistics and wanted to know what part ICP can take in the National Strategy for Statistical Development. (NSDS)

    A distinction between the SDDS and GDDS was made. The SDDS is a standard monitored in Washington and has 61 members out of which one is in Sub-Saharan Africa whereas GDDS is a system through which one can strengthen the statistical system. The GDDS is a sign of countries' devotion towards the strengthening of statistics.

    The IMF presenter brought forward the fact that GDDS projects are funded by external donors and Technical Assistance agenda should be addressed from a supply perspective whereby a steering committee sets priority on who should get the assistance.

Session 4: Commitment on Statistical development in Africa in order to meet data requirements for Measuring Development Outcomes

  1. The session 4 was chaired by Mr. Antoine SIMONPIETRI. Under this agenda item, the participants discussed the draft communiqué provided by the Secretariat.

    The draft communiqué was amended to incorporate further preoccupations of countries, international and sub-regional organizations, and statistical training centres.

Closing Ceremony

  1. The closing ceremony was chaired by Mr. Abdoulie JANNEH, Executive Secretary of the ECA. Before closing the meeting, he gave the floor to the representatives of PARIS21, the World Bank and the ADB for their final addresses.

Mr. SIMONPIETRI, Manager, PARIS21 Secretariat

  1. The speaker pointed that the need for strengthening statistics is increasing due to an increase in demand of statistical information to monitor the PRSPs and the MDGs. He also mentioned that the question of statistics is a question of development since statistical information is the basic element of government policy and decision making. Partners should therefore extend their effort to increase the support they give to the development of statistics in countries. He concluded by thanking all participants and partners (especially ECA) who gave their support for the success of the meeting and congratulated them on behalf of PARIS21.

Ms. Shaida BADIEE, Director, Development Data Group, the World Bank

  1. The speaker mentioned that the forum was a success and appreciated the leadership of ECA and ADB in their contribution to the Reference Regional Strategic Framework (RRSF). The speaker further expressed the commitment of the World Bank in: making statistical system the key item in the development agenda, making the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) sector specific, speeding up the process of the Marrakech Action Plan (MAP), extending partnership with the ADB and IMF on the ICP-Africa project and the GDDS project and mobilizing resources and funding of African countries in collaboration with PARIS21. The speaker finally thanked ECA for hosting this successful forum.

Mr. Janvier LITSE, Director, Planning and Budgeting Department, African Development Bank

  1. The speaker thanked all the participants for their valuable inputs and presentations. He also mentioned the importance of the RRSF which has been endorsed at the forum. He further expressed the commitment of the African Development Bank in the implementation of this framework in close collaboration with ECA and expressed his hope to take the African Statistical System to a new height.

Mr. Abdoulie JANNEH, Executive Secretary, UNECA

  1. Mr. JANNEH thanked key partners and member states that made the success of the forum a reality and praised the participants’ commitments in working towards the development of statistics in Africa.

    He pointed out that there is still more work left to do in implementation and that he has no doubt on the willingness of those involved in the implementation of the framework which requires stakeholders to work together. He then appreciated the call made by the recommendations to the African Union (AU) to provide political support to statistical development in the region and ensure that regional initiatives as NEPAD have a statistical component. He also appreciated the call to the ADB to strengthen its statistical activities.

    Mr. JANNEH reiterated the commitment of the ECA to engage in strengthening the statistical function of the Commission as recommended by the final communiqué of the meeting. He mentioned the ECA will assume the part of supporting and monitoring the 2010 round of population and housing census. He also underlined that the Commission will actively participate in the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the RRSF in close collaboration with the AU and the ADB. He expressed his belief that the AU, the ADB and the ECA will respond and commit themselves to the strengthening of Statistics in Africa. He concluded by thanking all for their contribution to the success of the forum.

Forum for African Statistical Development (FASDEV II)
Addis Ababa, 9-10 February 2006
Communiqué

Representatives of African countries, African Union (AU), bilateral and international institutions, United Nations Secretariat and agencies, African statistical training centers, and regional and sub-regional organizations, attended the second meeting of the Forum for African Statistical Development (FASDEV-II) from February 09 to 10, 2006 at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This meeting followed the meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices, held from 6 to 8 February 2006.

Recalling that FASDEV-I was endorsed by all the stakeholders of statistical development in Africa on 13 May 2004;

Recalling the main objectives of FASDEV to: (i) have an overview of statistical activities, including assistance, and training in Africa; (ii) set up a permanent system for the monitoring of statistical development in Africa; and (iii) strengthen modalities for cooperation with a view to leveraging on each partner’s comparative advantage;

The meeting:

a) Appreciated the efforts made by the African Development Bank (ADB), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Partnership In Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) Secretariat and the World Bank to organize this second meeting of FASDEV;

b) Discussed issues relating to statistical development in Africa:

The participants:

  1. Endorse the Regional Reference Strategic Framework for statistical capacity building in Africa (RRSF) as a guide for African statistical development in the next 10 years;
  2. Note the progress already made and reiterate their encouragement to African countries to design and implement a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) by 2006 using the PARIS21 Guidelines and following the recommendations of CODI II, the MAPS, the GDDS, the Yaoundé Declaration on Statistical Development in Africa, and the RRSF;
  3. Urge all stakeholders to ensure that the development of sectoral statistics, including administrative records, is integrated into the NSDS;
  4. Encourage Member States to finance the implementation of their NSDS within the national budget and to exploit other sources, and exhort Development Partners to align their support in a coordinated way, with the priorities of the Government as stated in the NSDS;
  5. Call on African Governments to use their NSDSs as a framework for coordinating and streamlining financial support and technical assistance, and to exercise restraint in accepting projects that are not within the NSDS;
  6. Acknowledge the commitment of the AU to make statistics more visible within its Commission by the creation of a statistics unit;
  7. Urge the African Union to provide critical political support to statistical development, especially to play an advocacy role for increased funding to statistical activities in the region, and ensure that regional initiatives such as NEPAD have a statistical component;
  8. Appreciate the commitment stated by the UNECA Executive Secretary to strengthen the statistical capacity of the ECA;
  9. Urge African governments to support the enhancement of the statistical capacity of the ECA;
  10. Commend the African Development Bank (ADB) for its efforts in statistical capacity building and request the Bank to continue and increase them;
  11. Commend the World Bank for its statistical capacity building efforts, following up with MAPS, Marrakech Action Plan for Statistics, including the Accelerated Data Program, and call upon countries to support these initiatives, and other donors to contribute to the funding;
  12. Commend PARIS21 Secretariat for its statistical advocacy role and the initiative taken to produce a light report on support to statistical capacity building by development partners in the region and the NSDS progress report, and invite the PARIS21 Secretariat to continue updating the information;
  13. Commend all partners for their continuous support to statistical development in Africa, including assistance to statistical training institutions, and recommend that they use the outputs of the light reporting exercise of PARIS21 for better coordination and alignment with other initiatives;
  14. Urge the ECA to play an active role in the mobilization of resources for the 2010 round of population and housing censuses (2005-2014) in Africa;
  15. Ask the ECA, in close collaboration with the ADB, the PARIS21 Secretariat, and the World Bank, to convene the next FASDEV meeting in 2007;
  16. Call on all stakeholders to support FASDEV and implement the above recommendations.

The sponsors of the draft RRSF commit themselves to amending it according to the participants’ comments and distribute officially the amended version by end of March 2006.