More investment in data and statistics needed in Africa: ECA’s ACS Director

Addis Ababa, March 21, 2023 (FBC) – Africa is set to miss most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to current research, but countries can take action to accelerate sustainable development if they plan better and invest in effective data and statistical systems, says Oliver Chinganya, Director of the Africa Center for Statistics (ACS) of the Economic Commission for Africa.

“Data is public good, the new oil, the gold that Africa must invest in to support its development,” Mr. Chinganya said on the sidelines of the 55th  Session of the  Committee of Experts meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It is indicated that the mission of the Africa Centre for Statistics is to enable national statistical systems in Africa to produce high quality statistics, data and geospatial information to inform sound and evidence decision-making in support of sustainable development, regional and national priorities.

“We need to invest in data and statistics to support Africa’s industrialization agenda,” said Mr. Chinganya.