The implementation of the 2008 System of National Accounts (2008 SNA) is a global statistical initiative that provides an opportunity to improve the quality, availability, consistency, and harmonization of economic statistics and national accounts. In Africa, there is a need to create synergies at all the levels of the statistical system in order to address the technical, financial, and institutional challenges countries encounter when collecting and processing economic statistics needed to compile their national accounts. To address these issues, in January 2008, the African Group on National Accounts (AGNA) was created by the Statistical Commission for African (StatCom-Africa) to facilitate the implementation of the 2008 SNA on the African continent.

Since the launch of the African Project in January 2014, the project has brought together regional and international organizations and development partners with countries to address the current challenges that African countries face in producing timely and quality national accounts, in support of good economic governance, regional integration, and sustainable development. At the juncture of completing Phase I of the African Project (2014-15) and beginning Phase II (2016-18), it is important that the key project stakeholders meet to review the progress made, share and exchange experiences and best practices , team up and establish linkages between countries and development partners to fill in gaps in the demand and supply for training and technical assistance, discuss technical and practical issues in the implementation of the 2008 SNA, and operationalize the work plans and programs at national, sub-regional, and regional levels.

The meeting is expected to have around 60 experts from national statistical offices, regional economic communities, regional and international organizations and development partners. By the end of the meeting participants are expected to take stock of Phase I and scale up support to Phase II of the African Project on the Implementation of the 2008 SNA