Awa ThionganeSenior Regional Advisor

UNECA, African Centre for Statistics

Improving Data Management at

ECA

TopicsTopics

• Background• Activities in the framework of: – Google.org project– African Statistical Knowledge Network

• Conclusion

Background Background

• Background–Need for better statistics to design policies

informed by evidence and for decision making

– Demand for quality and timely data in Africa

– Data management and provision and use of statistical information for development by ECA

– ECA statistical database – 2 projects to improve data management at

ECA

Google.org ProjectGoogle.org Project• The project entitled “Enhancing Development

in Africa by Provision and Use of Statistical Information” is funded Google.org and implemented by the African Centre for Statistics

• Project aims at: – Immediately

• Improving the capacity of ECA data management system

• Enhancing existing regional and country statistical databases

– Ultimately• Increasing use of ECA database by both internal and

external users• Improving coverage of nationally provided data in

the ECA database• Reducing complaints about data discrepancies• Build ECA as a source of authoritative regional data

ASKN ProjectASKN ProjectAfrican Statistical Knowledge Network (ASKN) is to facilitate

the exchange of experience and best practice in Africa and is a joint project with

UNSD

– ASKN website has the following sections:• News and Events: The section is RSS enabled so that it can both

receive news from other websites and send news to other interested subscribers.

• Statistics Encyclopaedia:  Comprehensive information on international statistical methods and standards.

• Country Profiles: Profiles of national statistical systems in African countries.

• Materials Warehouse: An e-Library section contains reference materials such as laws, sample questionnaires, case studies, training manuals, and posters. Materials can be submitted by members and the public.

• Online Forum: This provides normal bulletin/discussion board facilities allowing members to post questions, answer questions posted by others, and conduct discussions and share knowledge

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

• Capacity building 1. Training ECA staff in database

development and web application and GIS 2. Training of trainers – Objective is to train

nominated staff of statistical and mapping agencies in selected member States on the innovative techniques and tools. Two training session took place in: –Abuja in March 2010 for selected

Anglophone countries (Nigeria, Uganda, Swaziland, Lesotho, Egypt)–Rabat in June 2010 in for selected

francophone countries (Morocco, DRC, Burundi, Cameroon, Senegal)

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

3. Study tours at organizations with solid experience and knowledge in statistical data management:

• UNSD– Dynamic questionnaires – Validation of data against criteria– Application of innovative tools in statistical

database– Report production (using XSL-FO)

• OECD/IHSN– Open data model– Dynamic questionnaires – Integrated metadata management at all levels of

statistical aggregation– Separation of data production system and data

dissemination systems – Data warehousing

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

3. Study tours at organizations with solid experience and knowledge in statistical data management (contd.):

• World bank– Open data access model– Separation of data production process to data

dissemination– Separation of databases by statistical domain

like trade, demography, etc– Survey microdata

• MPC– In-house built software to the digitization,

integration and dissemination of microdata– Tight security to data access– Mirroring of African census microdata

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

3. Study tours at organizations with solid experience and knowledge in statistical data management (contd.):Conclusions:

Partnership with MPC:• Mirroring of African census microdata • African Integrated Census Microdata

(AICMD) – work in progress http://ecastats.uneca.org/aicmd/

Partnership with World Bank:• Mirroring of African surveys microdata (in

principle)• Sharing of existing tools

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

• Developing and enhancing data production – Online data entry screen (single data point improved

to be faster and validate data against criteria)– Batch entry via excel/csv– Improving batch entry to receive data from other

sources (Statistical software: SPSS, STATA, etc. DevInfo)

– Offline data compilation and synchronize updates when connected mechanism which will implemented

– Web-services and SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange) for data exchange with countries and partners under development

• Data Management strategy– DM strategy for the Commission is being

prepared

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

• Developing and enhancing data dissemination1. Data output formats• Tables • Static and Motion charts (Gapminder

style..)• Data Extraction (PDF, text, excel, word …)• Data can be sent via email box

2. Packaging and CD production • Packaging subset of database series• Producing CDs for distribution• Packaging datasets on a USB

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

Home page: http://ecastats.uneca.org/statbase

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

Activities under Google.org Activities under Google.org ProjectProject

• Piloting– The new version of the system will be piloted

in two locations (a SRO and a country to be selected)

– Installation will be done and training will be provided – Test data will be entered and all functionalities tested

as well

Activities under ASKN Activities under ASKN Project Project (*)(*)

• Regional Workshop on Data management– Held in Kampala from 26 to 28 October 2010– Jointly organized by ECA, AfDB, UNSD inc lose

collaboration with AUC and UBOS– Objective: to promote and strengthen statistical

data management practices in Africa– Attendance: 72 participants from 34 countries, SRO,

ROs and IOs and private sector companies such as DRS

– Deliberations: Emerging issues related to data collection, data analysis and dissemination and archiving

(*) Major activities of the Project related to data management

Activities under ASKN Activities under ASKN ProjectProject• Developing an ASKN portal including

–Heads of NSOs website –Community of practices –Ownership–Please designate focal points to update

country profiles

• Assisting countries in connectivity issues

– Internet connection–Hardware and software relation internet

connectivity

(*) Major activities of the Project related to data management

ConclusionConclusion

• The following presentation will give a comprehensive statistical information system architecture for a country.

• Further information will be made

available through ASKN portal.

Thank you