SPEECH
BY
THE SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET, MS. COLLEEN ZAMBA
AT THE
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE STATISTICAL COMMISSION FOR AFRICA (STATCOM-AFRICA)
ADDIS ABBA, 30 OCTOBER 2024
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Ato Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
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HE Dr. Fismu, Minister of Planning, Federal Republic of Ethiopia
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H.E. Mr. Claver Gatete Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa
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Excellencies, Ambassadors present
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Dr. Beker Shale, Director General of the Ethiopian Statistical Service, and chair of the Statistical Commission for Africa
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Chair of Regional Committee of United Nation Global Geospatial Information Management for Africa
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Director, African Centre for Statistics, UNECA
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Representatives of the African Union Commission, African Development Bank and of the United Nations statistics Division
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Development Partners Present
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Directors General of National Statistics offices
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Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a distinct honour to address you today at this important gathering of the Statistical Commission for Africa and I bring you warm greetings from the People and Government of Malawi.
First, allow me to express my gratitude to the Government of Ethiopia for hosting this significant event.
The role this Economic Commission (UNECA) plays in strengthening our continent's data ecosystem cannot be overstated. As Secretary to the President and Cabinet, I have experienced how robust statistical data informs the decisions as Governments we undertake and the policies we formulate to shape the future of our nations from the micro to macro level. As I reflect on our theme “Unleashing the Potential of African Innovation in Statistical Development" Let me share with you a story on the impact of data at the micro level.
“Once upon a time, once upon a time, there was a girl in the village. This girl grew up watching her father meticulously track the rains each season. Every year, she would watch her father write down the exact day the first rains fell. She would watch her father write down the date the last rains would fall. This girl did not understand why her father would be keeping a record of when the rain would fall and end every year. Many villagers would laugh at him as to why he would be writing down the beginning of the rainy season and the end. The surprise to many is season after season the girl’s father would achieve better harvests than most of the villagers. He had a record such a year rains fell on 17 October, such a year on 19th and so on and so on… It is not until later in life when that girl who is now standing here today and speaking to you realised that the father wrote down the rain pattern to predict the best times to plant and harvest, leading to better yields year after year.”
That early exposure to data-driven decision-making through a notebook should propel our interest, investment and highlight the integral role data plays in policy making decisions from central government and affiliated institutions.
The New Data Ecosystem: Changing Dynamics, Evolving Actors
We are living in a world undergoing rapid transformation, and this is especially true for the data ecosystem. Over the course of my Career, whether serving as Principal Secretary in Ministry of Finance in Malawi or advising global development initiatives, I have seen this shift up close.
In the past, national statistical offices and public institutions were the primary producers of data and in Africa this still remains the case. Today, however, we operate in a far more interconnected environment where the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions play significant roles in the collection and collating of data. Advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence and big data, have also changed how we should collect, analyse and use data. Big Data,artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are revolutionizing virtually every sector of the economy but that along with the potential economic benefits these same capabilities also confront- winner takes all economics and emergence of a new factor of production machine knowledge capital, increased concentration of wealth and integrity of the democratic process, national security risks and strategic rivalries in geopolitics.
Data governance is the most important public policy issue because whoever controls data controls who and what interacts with it.
These changes are not just superficial, they fundamentally alter how we work. As statisticians and policymakers, we must ask ourselves: How do we ensure our data systems remain credible and adaptable? How do we engage these new actors while safeguarding the integrity of our statistics?
The answers, I believe, lie in our ability to adapt while holding fast to the core principles that underpin our work collaboration, ethics and trust. We must embrace this new ecosystem by fostering stronger partnerships across sectors, ensuring that technological innovations are harnessed responsibly, and safeguarding the values of transparency and accountability.
Responding to the Demands of a Changing World
Ladies and gentlemen, I have seen firsthand that accurate and reliable data is the foundation of effective governance and development. Whether managing national budgets in Malawi or advising on global development goals, one truth remains constant: without strong data systems, we are navigating in the dark.
Statisticians hold a crucial role in Africa’s transformation, but that role has evolved. It’s no longer about gathering data alone. Today, it’s about translating vast amounts of information into meaningful actions. Our work has shifted from merely describing the present to predicting the future and driving proactive, sustainable growth across the continent.
However, to achieve reliable predictive analysis and effectively respond to demands of the changing world we need to discuss the elephant in the room, which is Africa’s poor collection and retention of data.
Africa needs to find effective solutions to collect data from the micro level to the macro level to drive effective policy decisions. In computer science big data, there is an acronym termed “GIGO” which means Garbage in Garbage out. In order for Africa to avoid or reduce any slippages in policy, making decisions, the collection and retention of data has to improve and the first step to achieving this is digitalisation.
Harnessing Technology and AI: The Path Forward
Technology can drastically enhance efficiency and broaden the scope of what we can achieve.
In the realm of statistics, artificial intelligence and big data hold immense potential to transform how we tackle complex issues from poverty and inequality to environmental sustainability. These tools were previously out of reach.
However, as we embrace these advancements, we must remain vigilant about the ethical challenges they pose. Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the misuse of information are critical concerns. Our role as statisticians and policymakers is not just to adopt new technologies but also to ensure they are used responsibly. This requires building regulatory frameworks that protect individual privacy, ensuring transparency and accountability in AI systems, and fostering a data ecosystem that upholds ethical standards.
The Role of Partnerships in a Data-Driven Africa
Whether coordinating national economic policies or advising on global development, success has always been rooted in collaboration. This is especially true in the field of statistics, where no single institution can meet today’s data demands independently.
The private sector, with its vast data sources and technological expertise, can greatly enhance our understanding of economic and social trends. Academia, through research and innovation, provides new methodologies to ensure our data systems remain rigorous. Meanwhile, national statistical offices are uniquely positioned to coordinate these efforts, aligning them with national development priorities.
Through collaborative research, data-sharing agreements, and joint capacity-building, we can build data systems that are robust, inclusive, and forward-looking. Only by working together can we navigate today’s challenges and unlock the full potential of a data-driven Africa.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
In closing, I remind you that we stand here on behalf of the 1.5 billion African of which 60% are 25 years or younger to create robust data systems which will assist us to respond to their needs.
We stand here on behalf of the 282 million Africans who are malnourished yet Africa holds 65% of the world’s uncultivatable land.
We stand here today knowing that our ability to collect effective and reliable data, and embrace innovation with collaboration will greatly assist in spurring Africa’s growth, development and response to the challenges the continent faces.
I urge each of you statisticians, policymakers, private sector leaders and academics to join forces in this mission. Together, we can build the data systems Africa needs to thrive in the 21st century.
Thank you for your attention.