Malabo, Equatorial Guinea – In a significant step towards better migration governance in Central Africa, the African Union Institute for Statistics (STATAFRIC), in collaboration with Statistics Sweden and the National Institute of Statistics of Equatorial Guinea (INEGE), successfully concluded a high-level capacity-building workshop on migration data production this week.
Held from 16–18 December 2025 at the Hotel Anda China in Malabo, the workshop brought together key national stakeholders, including representatives from various ministries and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The mission was led by experts from STATAFRIC and Statistics Sweden, aiming to support Equatorial Guinea in harmonizing its migration statistics with African Union and international standards.
A Strong Partnership for Data The workshop was marked by a warm reception from Mr. Ricardo Nsue Ndemesogo, Director General of INEGE, who reaffirmed his institution's commitment to producing high-quality evidence for policy-making.
"Migration is a central theme for governance and development," the Director General noted. "Equatorial Guinea is committed to aligning with the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA II) to ensure our data tells the true story of our dynamic population."
Key Outcomes: A Roadmap for the Future Over three days of intensive sessions, participants assessed the current state of administrative data sources in the country. The experts noted an impressive availability of administrative migration data within the national system, providing a solid foundation for future work.
Major achievements of the workshop include:
- Establishment of the National Technical Working Group (GTNM): A draft of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for this new coordination body were discussed. The GTNM will serve as the central hub for migration data coordination across government sectors.
- Adoption of a Clear Roadmap: A strategic roadmap was defined to guide INEGE and its partners in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of migration statistics over the coming years.
- Capacity Building: Participants received training on harmonized concepts and definitions, ensuring comparability with regional and continental data.
The Impact of Regional Cooperation The mission highlighted the effectiveness of the partnership between STATAFRIC and Statistics Sweden. By providing technical assistance and fostering peer-to-peer learning, the initiative is empowering Member States to take ownership of their data systems.
"The atmosphere in Malabo was incredibly positive," said the mission representatives. "The technical knowledge displayed by the national participants was impressive, and the political will to improve statistical systems is evident."
As the delegates departed Malabo, the consensus was clear: a solid foundation has been laid. With the National Technical Working Group now active, Equatorial Guinea is well-positioned to become a model for migration data management in the region.
