Nairobi, Kenya, 2 September 2025 – A three-day capacity-building workshop is underway in Nairobi, focusing on transforming African National Statistical Offices (NSOs) into agile stewards of high-quality data. The workshop, titled “Data Ethics, Governance, and Quality in a Changing Data Ecosystem,” aims to strengthen the capacity of NSOs across the region to adapt to a fast-evolving data landscape.
Organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the workshop addresses the urgent need for resilient statistical systems that can deliver timely, disaggregated data to inform policy and measure progress.
Discussions are centered on transitioning NSOs from data producers to official data stewards. This involves governing the entire national data ecosystem, fostering partnerships, and maintaining public trust through transparency and an unwavering commitment to data quality.
Experts agree that existing statistical laws are often outdated. There is a consensus on the need to update legislation to empower NSOs to access and integrate new data sources—such as big data and administrative records—while safeguarding data privacy and upholding professional independence.
Furthermore, integrating non-traditional data sources like mobile data and satellite imagery presents significant quality control challenges. Participants are exploring the implementation of the UN National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) to develop new standards and agile methods for ensuring these novel sources are fit for policy use.
The workshop organizers also emphasize the need to overhaul statistical production by modernizing the entire data architecture. This involves re-engineering processes using models like the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) to seamlessly incorporate big data, geospatial information, and citizen-generated data, building a more adaptable and efficient system.
Mr. Dany Chafari, UNEP’s Acting Head of the SDG and Environment Statistics Unit, says: “This workshop is timely. Guided by UNEP’s Global Environment Data Strategy (2025) and the United Nations Development Account Trench 14, we are strengthening data quality, access, and governance to better monitor Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and achieve the SDGs. New data sources—Earth observations, AI, and citizen science—must be matched by ethics and strong institutions. Our workshop advances fair, transparent, inclusive data governance to build a trusted global data ecosystem.”
Mr. Keping Yao, Statistician, UN Statistics Division of UNDESA, for his part, has indicated that:
“NSOs face fast-evolving digital technologies, new data sources, and a complex data ecosystem. This event tackles a wide range of imperatives: from modernizing statistical legislation and data governance frameworks to ensuring data quality, public trust, and equitable access. The workshop will review the project’s impact, share successes and lessons, and inform the UN Statistical Commission’s Working Group on data governance.”
Mr. André Nonguierma, Chief, Geospatial Information Management Section, ECA, says: “This project is helping African NSOs become more resilient and agile, meeting recovery needs and preparing for new social, economic, environmental, and technological data demands. Since September 2022, it has strengthened governance, modernized systems, and integrated big data and geospatial information, empowering 50 countries to produce and manage data more effectively. This workshop serves as a platform to share practices and chart the way forward, which will require sustained political support, partnerships, and investment.”
Mr. Macdonald George Obudho, Director General of Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, announced that Kenya will host the 3rd Global Data for Development Festival in Nairobi in June 2026.
“This is a milestone for Africa’s leadership in data innovation and inclusive governance. It will be an Africa-led festival, providing a platform for African nations and partners to lead sessions, showcase achievements, and elevate Africa’s voice globally,” he said.
By bringing together senior statisticians and experts from across the region, UNSD, KNBS, and ECA aim to foster the collaboration needed to modernize Africa's statistical systems and navigate the complexities of modern data.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org