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Africa needs high-quality data to achieve structural transformation and inclusive growth- UNCEA

October 28, 2022

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In a recent Press release, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) underlined the importance of high-quality data for Africa to achieve structural transformation and inclusive growth.

In a recent Press release, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) underlined the importance of high-quality data for Africa to achieve structural transformation and inclusive growth. The observation was made at a meeting hosted by the ECA’s Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) outlining the urgent needs faced by countries to ensure high-quality data supply. The discussion was held on the margins of the 8th Statistical Commission for Africa that took place from 24-26 October.

Macroeconomic data experts emphasized the role of concerted data coordination and collection to ensure high-quality data to achieve the structural transformation of Africa. A major challenge in Africa is the lack of timely accurate, complete, reliable, and relevant data and statistics to inform policy. According to the Macroeconomic and Governance Division Economic Affairs Officer, Atkeyelsh Persson, these challenges hindered its support to member states, in the area of macroeconomic modeling, development planning, and measuring illicit financial flows (IFF). incomplete and inconsistent data, she added leads to biased estimation in macroeconomic modeling.

During the event, Jairo Arrow, Official Statistics Expert, former Deputy Director-General of Statistics in South Africa and Vice President of the International Association of Survey Statisticians noted that poor quality statistics could lead to disastrous consequences. He advocated regular maintenance and constant consultation with users on data adequacies. Member states were advised to develop sound methodologies to improve the national statistics.