by Prof. Egnonto M. KOFFI-TESSIO

1. STATNET : A global network for building statistical capacity in Africa by Prof. Egnonto M. KOFFI-TESSIO January 2007

2. Outline • What is the mandate of the ACBF? • What is STATNET? • Who are members? • Objectives of STATNET • Activities of STATNET • Ongoing Activities

3. Mandate of ACBF • What is the mandate of the ACBF? • The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), based in Harare, Zimbabwe, is an independent, capacity-building institution established on February 9, 1991 through the collaborative efforts of three multilateral institutions (the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)), African governments and bilateral donors.

4. MANDATE OF ACBF(cont) The current membership comprises the three sponsoring agencies (AfDB, UNDP and the World Bank), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which joined the Foundation in April 2002, as well as 32 African countries and non-African countries and institutions. In addition, Japan has contributed resources to the Foundation through the Policy Human Resources Development (PHRD) Trust Fund at the World Bank. The establishment of ACBF was a response to the severity of Africa's capacity problem and the challenge to invest in indigenous human capital and institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

5. STATNET STATNET is one of the six Technical Advisory Panels and Networks (TAP-NETs) STATNET is a global network of African and non-African professionals with vast knowledge in the strengthening and monitoring of national statistics and statistical capacity for good governance and national development STATNET established to support the activities of ACBF Secretariat in the core competence area - “Strengthening and Monitoring of National Statistics”, and, where possible, provide the Foundation’s other knowledge networks an ideal management tool through which they can broaden consultation and seek responses to specific issues and questions relating to statistical capacity building.

6. Membership of STATNET • Members are drawn from social science and development management disciplines • They are accomplished statisticians, econometricians, policy analysts and practitioners as well as researchers with extensive experience in the building of statistical capacity, statistical analysis, and management of national statistics and statistical agencies and an excellent understanding of, and commitment to, the role of national statistics in the drive for transparency, accountability and good governance

7. OBJECTIVES Main objective of STATNET to help strengthen ACBF’s internal capacity and enhance its access to a wider pool of experts in the strengthening of national statistical capacity and improvement of the quality of national data.

8. OBJECTIVES(continued) • Other objectives of STATNET • - an institutional support for reviewing aspects of the Foundation’s activities and adding value to its operations; • an idea management tool for ACBF secretariat to seek professional opinion on issues and discuss ideas in greater depth; and • - a professional arm of the relevant thematic network or community of practice that will be set up by the Foundation with a focus on the strengthening and monitoring of national statistics.

9. ACTIVITIES ANNUAL POSITION PAPER - Prepare a position paper on developments relating to the state of statistical capacity and system on the African continent. - APP is expected to be used as an instrument for systematically tracking progress or lack thereof in the building of capacity of national and regional statistical agencies.

10. ACTIVITIES(continued) • STATNET ISSUES AND LESSONS NOTES • Identify research and prepare a country or region’s Lessons, Best Practice or an Avoidable Pitfall Note that could provide lessons to countries in sub-Saharan Africa in any of the following areas, among others: • - Application of international standards, frameworks and guidelines in the building, utilization and maintenance of national statistics and statistical capacity; • Profile of international efforts, partnerships and resources in support of the building of statistical capacity in Africa and ease of access to international resources; • Emerging methodologies and techniques in data collection and analysis.

11. Ongoing activities of STATNET Annual Position Paper : STATNET -APP2006 Towards reforming national statistical agencies and systems - a survey of best-practice countries with effective national statistical systems in Africa Working papers STATNET - WP2006-1 : Reactivation of the African Statistical Association STATNET -WP2006-2Programme for Resuscitation of Dormant National Statistical Associations in Africa STATNET -WP2006-3 Strategies for Implementing the Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building in Africa - An assessment of country responses in the application of the Regional Strategic Framework for Statistical Capacity Building STATNET - WP2006-4Exploration of Best-Practice Schemes in the Financing of National Statistical Agencies in Regions from which Africa can draw beneficial lessons

12. For more information, visit ACBF website:www.acbf-pact.org

13. Thank you for your attention Merci pour votre attention