Namibia's Planning Commission Urges Mandatory Data-Sharing to Strengthen Statistical System
Namibia's National Planning Commission (NPC) Director General Kaire Mbuende has issued a call to action, urging urgent reforms to bolster the country's statistical system. He warns that the current lack of robust data-sharing practices across government entities is hindering evidence-based planning and decision-making. Speaking at the NPC's annual general meeting with the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) board, Mbuende emphasized the critical role of credible, timely, and transparent statistics in national development. However, he noted that data remains fragmented across various ministries and agencies, creating a significant barrier to effective planning and policy formulation.
The absence of clear mechanisms for transferring administrative data to the NSA is a major concern, according to Mbuende. He highlighted the need for a centralized system to monitor and report on employment, as fragmented record-keeping across sectors makes it extremely challenging to provide accurate statistics. Mbuende cited a recent example where obtaining employment data post-administration change was nearly impossible due to this fragmentation. He proposed adopting quarterly labor market reporting, as practiced in other countries, to improve administrative records or conduct more frequent surveys.
The meeting also reviewed progress on several statistical initiatives, including the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey, the Financial Inclusion Survey, and the Census of Agriculture. Mbuende underscored the importance of the agriculture census in understanding food security, rural development, production systems, and land use. He called for collaborative efforts to secure sustainable funding for these core surveys and other national projects, such as the housing information system and geospatial projects.
In an era of information overload, The Namibian's Sunrise morning briefing offers a concise and witty summary of the day's most important news. The newspaper utilizes AI tools to enhance quality, accuracy, and efficiency while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity. Subscribers can stay informed with in-depth reporting and opinions for a monthly fee of N$85, investing in both journalism and democracy.
