The Role of the World Bank in Supporting Statistical Capacity in Africa

1. The Role of the World Bank in Supporting Statistical Capacity in Africa Graham Eele

2. Overview • The World Bank is not a specialist statistical agency, • but we are a major user of statistics, • a compiler, responsible for World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance and other data bases … • and a manager of global programs such as the ICP, investment climate surveys, etc

3. We recognize • That the only sustainable way to improve the coverage and quality of statistics at the national and global levels is to support statistical capacity in countries … • with a special emphasis on Africa • Respond to G8 Gleneagles agreement • Africa Action Plan • Focus on results

4. Managing for results =>increasing demand for data At national and international levels, for poverty reduction strategies, MDG monitoring,sector development strategies, results monitoring systems, etc… but

5. Mismatch between supply and demand for data Estimates for 25 survey-based MDG indicators (2000-2004) Average for low-income Sub-Saharan Africa Not available: 30% Obtained from national sources: 60% Estimated by international agencies: 10%

6. Poverty survey in last 5 years 56 % of countries 62 % of population Pop. census in last 10 years Coverage: 64 % of countries 42 % of population 99 % in Europe, 95% in Asia, only 42% in Africa ! Health survey in last 5 years 82 % of countries 81 % of population One cause … lack of surveys and censuses

7. … and • Limited capacity to collect, compile, process, analyze and use statistics in many countries • Inadequate resources • Insufficient coordination and lack of effective management

8. …. a new effort is needed to scale up and build on earlier successes, moving from advocacy to action

9. MAPS: An action plan for improving development statistics • Developed and agreed at Marrakech Roundtable for Managing for Development Results • Aims to improve the capacity to produce and use data for development • Builds on what has been achieved, is time-bound and fully costed • Objective is to meet the data challenge of MDGs by 2010

10. The action plan • At the national level: • Action 1: Mainstream strategic planning • Action 2: Prepare for 2010 census round • Action 3: Increase finance • At the international level • Action 4: Set up Household Survey Network • Action 5: Improve MDG monitoring • Action 6: Improve international accountability

11. Support for NSDS • Finance for PARIS21 work program • Work through GDDS for assessment • Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building (IFSCB) to finance NSDS preparation • STATCAP financing vehicle for implementation

12. International Household Survey Network (IHSN) • Coordination/advocacy for better survey planning • Harmonization of concepts and methods • Central Survey Catalog • Microdata Management Toolkit • A user-friendly tool for documenting, preserving and disseminating micro-data according to international standards (DDI/Dublin Core)

13. Accelerated Data Program • An integrated approach • Taking stock • Inventory, documentation, dissemination of existing data (accessible, “ready for use”) • Using and assessing existing data • Analysis (key PRSP/other issues) • Quality assessment (reliability, relevance) • Collecting data • Design medium-term survey programs (NSDS) • Support data collection activities, building on national survey programs (no imposed model)

14. Customized to country needs • Different focus in different countries • Assessment of methods and emphasis on data dissemination and use in “high capacity” countries; • Identifying priority needs and support for data collection in “low capacity” countries

15. Piloting the ADP • A PARIS21 satellite program • 6 pilot countries in Africa • Coordination with the IHSN, also managed by PARIS21 • Funding: World Bank DGF • Scaling-up being planned

16. Thank you