Senegal's ANSD proposes stricter quality controls for public statistical data

Abdou Diouf, Director General of Senegal’s National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD), is advocating for strengthened quality control mechanisms for statistical data used in public debate.

A proposed reform aims to extend the “statistical visa” to certain data produced by private firms or organizations if that data is likely to influence public discussion on economic or social issues. Currently, the regulatory framework primarily covers official statistical operations, but the new initiative seeks to verify the reliability and methodological rigor of surveys and figures released publicly by various actors.

Diouf acknowledged existing imperfections in the national statistical production system and emphasized that these reforms are necessary to ensure that citizens, media, and policymakers have access to reliable information, thereby preventing the spread of unverified or inaccurate data.