Addis Ababa, 21 October 2022, (ECA) – The Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) will host a hybrid side event on 23 October 2022, from 14-16 hrs (Addis Abeba time) at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The event will focus on ensuring high-quality data supply, with experts sharing experiences on related urgent needs emerging in this area. The side event will take place on the margins of the Eighth Statistical Commission for Africa (StatCom-Africa-VIII) taking place from 24-26 October on the broader topic of “Modernizing data ecosystem in Africa to support regional integration.”
The side event will consider the consequences related to the lack of data availability based on the experiences of the Macroeconomic and Governance Division (MGD). The event is a potential platform to showcase practical examples of how gaps in quality data affect MDG’s work in supporting Member States. The event is also an opportunity to invite country representatives to share their views and methodologies on finding and using high-quality data to achieve structural transformation and inclusive growth through the three key pillars of MGD - strengthening and effective development planning, macroeconomic policy analysis, and enhancing public sector financial management and economic governance.
Timely accurate complete, reliable and relevant data and statistics to inform policy remains a significant challenge across Africa. According to the organizers, there is an urgent need for high-quality data not only to support the work that is currently undertaken in the Member States but also to support the monitoring and evaluation of key regional initiatives.
Furthermore, the lack of quality data hinders the ability of Member States to design and implement policies and monitor progress towards achieving countries’ development priorities, including the implementation of SDGs and Agenda 2063.
Expected outcomes from this year's StatCom-Africa include sharing knowledge on gaps in quality data and its effects on the divisional work in supporting member states; raising awareness about the challenges faced by the division and its stakeholders; increasing collaboration with stakeholders on providing high-quality data; sharing methodologies on how to ensure the availability of data in key regional initiatives; and developing a roadmap for improving data quality and availability in Africa.
StatCom-Africa was established in 2005 and is managed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and acts within the United Nations policies and procedures framework.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org