The future of Africa's development relies on accurate data and statistics, and that's why partnerships are crucial. The power of data is undeniable, and Africa is ready to harness it.
On November 18, 2025, the African Centre for Statistics at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, commemorated African Statistics Day. The theme, 'Leveraging Innovations in Data and Statistics', highlighted the importance of a just and prosperous society for Africans.
The ECA document emphasizes how this theme aligns with the African Union's focus on justice and reparations, showcasing the vital role of data innovation in Africa's development journey.
In a data-driven world, Africa must produce accurate official statistics to enhance research quality. To stay at the forefront, fostering partnerships between national statistics institutes and universities is essential.
Oliver Chinganya, Director of the African Centre for Statistics and Chief Statistician at the ECA, stated, "Fostering a new partnership between national statistics and specialized training institutions is key as Africa aims to empower a new generation of statisticians with the skills and passion to shape Africa's future."
He further explained that African Statistics Day 2025 celebrations aimed to emphasize the critical role of data in achieving Africa's development goals, as outlined in the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chinganya also highlighted Africa's diversifying economy, where technology plays a pivotal role in improving lives, thus increasing the demand for statisticians to harness data's power.
"Africa's statistical capacity has historically lagged due to underinvestment, outdated infrastructure, and limited human resources. Addressing this gap is crucial, and the next generation of statisticians is key to bridging this divide."
Statistics provide valuable insights into socio-economic trends and support governments in making informed decisions, efficient resource allocation, and policy formulation for community upliftment.
Dr. Linus Mofor, a research expert with the ECA, emphasized the importance of networking between higher education institutions and national statistics bodies to improve data quality for research and other purposes in Africa.
"Training institutions in Africa must evolve to meet the training challenges. Collaboration with national statistics institutions is vital to enhance the quality and continuous improvement of official statistics in Africa."
Dr. Mofor stressed the significance of statistics in all development endeavors, stating, "Building human and institutional capacity in statistics is critical for planning, implementing, and monitoring Africa's development. Statistics help us understand the present, the likely future, and the uncertain, and their implications for development."
Other experts believe that collaboration between training institutions and other entities enriches training quality and enhances statistical innovation.
Dr. Ekomenzoge Metuge, a development expert and analyst at Great Standard Consulting in Germany, said, "Africa needs innovations in research and data collection, and collaboration is key. Statistical innovations impact data collection, quality, efficiency, and analytical capabilities, and they are not just about technological advances."
The commemoration of African Statistics Day 2025 emphasized the indispensable role of data in the inclusive and sustainable development dialogue.
The ECA release stated, "There is a need for the mobilization of stakeholders across different sectors to enhance Africa's commitment to data-driven governance, economic resilience, and social progress."
Academics call for more adapted training centers and the transformation of statistical systems, including the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, to ensure data is timely, relevant, and inclusive.
Professor Willibroad Dze-Ngwa, a historian and researcher at the Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies in Cameroon, said, "Our training institutions should be equipped with innovative techniques to adapt to the changing environment."
He further advocated for the creation of more professional training centers in Africa to train a new generation of technologically savvy statisticians.
The Pan-African Statistical Training Centre (PANSTAT) was established to complement existing African schools and universities in statistics and demography training. PANSTAT facilitates student and teacher mobility, removes language barriers, oversees diploma certification, and evaluates training centers to adapt programs to labor market needs.
But here's where it gets controversial... How can Africa ensure that its statistical capacity keeps up with the rapid technological advancements and changing data landscape? And this is the part most people miss... The power of collaboration and partnerships in enhancing statistical capabilities and driving Africa's development agenda forward.
What are your thoughts on the role of partnerships in training the next generation of statisticians? Do you think Africa is on the right track with its statistical capacity-building efforts? Share your insights and let's spark a conversation!
