Implementation

The implementation mechanism is a crucial aspect of SHaSA 2. It is for this reason that the different stakeholders of the ASS have been brought together and consulted regarding its conception and its actualization. This approach ensures that all the activities selected are carried out in a consensual manner according to the resources available. It also promotes the monitoring, performance evaluation, and reporting of SHaSA 2.

The document SHaSA 2’s action plan and financing plan are developed for the period 2017–2026, taking into account the priorities and capacities of the various actors in the ASS

(link to the document SHaSA 2 action plan)

1 - STATAFRIC

In accordance with the African Charter on Statistics, the legal mandate for the production of official statistics of countries is the exclusive responsibility of the national statistical authorities. This is a matter of national sovereignty. Similarly, harmonization, production, and validation of official statistical data across Africa will be the exclusive responsibility of the AU Institute for Statistics, popularly known as STATAFRIC created in 2013 by Decision of the Heads of State and Government of the AU. The Institute will have the legitimacy to validate and ultimately publish official statistics on African countries.

2 - Pan-African Statistical Training Center

Created in 2013 by a Decision of the Heads of States and Government Summit, the Center will play a key role in statistical capacity building in the framework of the implementation of SHaSA 2. The Pan-African Statistical Training Center will be a complementary structure to existing schools and training centers and will serve as an instrument for filling the missing links in the training programs.

3 - Specialized Technical Groups

The Specialized Technical Groups (STGs) will be revitalized in order to continue their activities in each identified statistical area under the coordination of countries and the responsibility of STATAFRIC.

The STGs will prepare and implement sectoral action plans for statistical harmonization in the area concerned; they will develop and/or adopt international standards and methodological guidelines for statistical harmonization in their respective fields. The AU Institute for Statistics with the support of Pan-African Organizations will assist African countries in the implementation of these standards and methodologies.

These groups, which will have at most 20 members, will be composed of statisticians and other professionnals from Member States, pan-African institutions, RECs, specialized agencies, regional and international agencies, civil society, the private sector, and other experts in the areas under review.

Membership will be voluntary and on a rotating basis between countries. The chairmanship of the groups must be rotating. Geographical and linguistic representativeness in groups and continuity in group work should be ensured.

Each STG should hold at least two meetings per year. A total of 18 STGs will be formed. The lead countries or champions will be designated to lead the STGs for the effective implementation of SHaSA 2. Pan-African institutions provide the secretariat for the various groups. STATAFRIC will establish the programs of activities of the STGs.