The Reference Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa

At the end of the 1990s, Africa’s leaders committed themselves to the continent’s renewal with the creation of the African Union and the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Both initiatives were intended to address Africa’s development challenges; place African countries, both individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development; and extricate the continent from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalizing world.

Africa’s leaders also committed themselves to the results agenda, including Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and other national and sectoral development plans. The results agenda requires clear and systematic measurement and reporting on achievement of outputs, outcomes, and the impact of development policies and programs using better statistics. Better statistics are required to inform various development challenges facing Africa and are a necessary part of the development infrastructure.