Calls for the use of the System for National Accounts as a reference framework when designing surveys, and urges for national statistical offices to set up internal training programs on national accounts to build a critical mass of experts to limit the effect of high turnovers. These recommendations are among the main outcomes of the National Accounts Symposium in Abidjan, which brought together over 140 specialists from Africa and beyond.
National accounts statisticians from all over Africa gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 16th to 17th September to discuss the challenges in improving these statistics in African countries under the theme “Innovative solutions for more reliable national accounts, compliant with international standards”. The symposium was organized by PAS II and STATAFRIC and funded and supported by the EU and Eurostat. This initiative is part of the European Union and the African Union's efforts to enhance official statistics production and dissemination in support of African integration.
Strong recommendations from statisticians to their superiors
A significant portion of the symposium consisted of six breakout sessions, covering topics such as improving routines and modernizing administrative source data, building sustainable human capacity, tailoring compilation tools and enhancing coordination at national, regional and continental level. In all sessions, the participants issued several recommendations
Click here for the conclusion in English
Click here for the Conclusion in French
- “Participants were very clear in their calls, urges and recommendations. This demonstrates that while there is still progress to be made for national accounts in African countries, “it also shows that the national accounts statisticians in Africa can form a united professional force”, says Maxime Bonkoungou, team leader of PAS II and a national accounts expert.
One of the main challenges on national accounts, is to bring all countries up to the 2008 SNA standard, and at the same time build capacity to pave the road for the upcoming 2025 SNA.
- In order to make use of different innovative solutions for national accounts, it is also vital for all the countries to be on the same level of international standardization. We have assisted many countries, but there is still some way to go, says Mr. Hubert Gbossa, the PAS II Key expert on national accounts.
Insights from South Africa, Eurostat and STATAFRIC
In addition to the working sessions, the symposium also featured important plenary sessions. The stage was set on Monday morning with welcome addresses from the Ivorian Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, Mrs Niale Kaba, the head of the economic statistics division at STATAFRIC, Mr. Adoum Gagoloum and Mr. Louis Be Duc, the representative from Eurostat.
The former Statistician- General of Statistics South Africa, Mr. Pali Lehola delivered the keynote address at the symposium. Focusing on innovative solutions for more reliable national accounts, he addressed several crucial aspects of the issue at hand.
Mr. Lehola also participated in several of the breakout sessions where he gave valuable insight and advice.
Improvements in dissemination
The dissemination and communication of national accounts were also topics discussed during the symposium, both in one of the breakout sessions, and in a presentation by the key expert in communication in PAS II.
Both sessions focused on understanding users and the need for improve dissemination to important user groups and stakeholders. These points are also included in the recommendations from the workshop.
Important connections established
Meeting colleagues from other countries, sharing experiences and ideas, and planning for further cooperation, are also very important outcomes from symposiums like this. National accounts are produced using the same standards worldwide, and there is much to discuss for all parties involved.
Bringing together the right people and making it worthwhile for everyone is a key success factor for a symposium like this. We were very pleased with the attendance. Experts from 48 countries, several regional organizations, Eurostat, IMF, INSEE and numerous independent experts came to Abidjan for these two days. Our hope is that the discussions and finding solutions across borders will continue well after the symposium has ended, concludes Mr. Bonkoungou.
You can watch the reportage video through this Link
