African leaders call for reliable data to drive development

At the 10th Session of the Statistical Commission for Africa (StatCom-Africa) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, regional leaders and experts emphasized the critical need for high-quality, credible, and independent official statistics to shape the continent's development.

Under the theme “Unleashing the Value of Data in Africa: Making Official Statistics a True Mirror of the Continent,” participants discussed how to transform increasing volumes of data into actionable insights for policy-making. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie and Rwandan Minister of Finance Yusuf Murangwa both stressed that robust statistical systems are essential for measuring progress, allocating resources, and addressing development challenges in a digital age.

Richard Fatorma Ngafuan, Director General of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, called for stronger statistical institutions and greater cooperation among African nations. He highlighted that reliable data is fundamental for estimating demand for essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The session also addressed the importance of modernizing systems to integrate emerging technologies while maintaining professional independence and trust.