The Executive Committee for the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA II) successfully kicked off its crucial meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 26 December 2025. Hosted by Ethiopian Statistics Service, the meeting brought together distinguished representatives from AU organs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), National Statistical Offices (NSOs), and development partners to review progress and strengthen the framework for a robust, modern, and coherent African Statistical System (ASS).

The Executive Committee meeting marks a pivotal moment in the implementation of SHaSA II, a continental vision covering the period 2017-2026. Building on the foundation of SHaSA I, the Strategy aims to position African statistics at the heart of evidence-based development, crucial for monitoring the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In his opening statement, the Chair of the Executive Committee, Mr. Nyakassi M.B. Sanyang, Statistician General of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics, underscored the core objective: “to create a harmonized, integrated, and well-coordinated African Statistical System capable of delivering high-quality, comparable, and timely statistics for Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals, the AfCFTA, and our national development agendas.”

The Executive Committee reviewed progress across the four strategic pillars of SHaSA II:
Coordination and Institutional Strengthening: The strategy prioritizes reinforcing National Statistical Systems (NSS) through clarified institutional roles, strengthened coordination among stakeholders, and operationalizing the African Statistics Charter to ensure professionalism and independence.

Production of Quality and Harmonized Statistics: The emphasis is on comparability and the goal for Africa to "speak a common statistical language." This includes harmonizing methods and classifications across critical domains such as National Accounts, Agriculture, Social Statistics, Trade and AfCFTA indicators, and Environment/Climate statistics.

Data Innovation, Modernization and Technology: SHaSA II calls for a leap toward technology-driven systems, embracing digital censuses, strengthened administrative data, geospatial technologies, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to generate real-time, granular, and cost-effective data.

Statistical Communication, User Engagement & Data Use: This pillar focuses on ensuring that data is not just produced but is accessible, understandable, and utilized by promoting open data platforms and enhancing data literacy across the continent.

Mr. Adoum Gagoloum, Head of Economic Statistics Division, STATAFRIC highlighted the multi-layered coordination essential for SHaSA’s success, emphasizing that National Statistical Offices remain the backbone of implementation. He confirmed that 13 Specialized Technical Groups (STGs) are now operational, each with action plans and a minimal set of indicators to structure the harmonization of statistical production.

While commending the sustained engagement and collaboration among STATAFRIC, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in providing strategic direction and technical assistance, Mr. Gagoloum acknowledged persistent challenges. These include limited financial and human resources, weak institutional coordination, and insufficient statistical infrastructure across national and regional levels.

Speaking on behalf of the Ethiopian Statistics Service (ESS) Director, Dr. Meron Kifelew, Deputy Director, ESS reaffirmed the host country's commitment to the process. He stated that "The Executive Committee plays a critical role in guiding this process, ensuring that SHaSA remains a living strategy that responds to emerging challenges and opportunities."

The deliberations over the course of the meeting focused on identifying bottlenecks and strengthening mechanisms to move forward with renewed energy and unity of purpose. By 2030, SHaSA II envisions a transformed African Statistical System that is stronger, highly skilled, powered by modern technologies, and capable of delivering the data required to achieve the continent’s ambitious integration and transformation agendas.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to strengthen collaboration, renew dedication, and ensure that statistics remain central to Africa’s trajectory toward sustainable development.

For further information, please contact:
1. Dr. Jose Awong | Ag. Head of Statistics System Coordination and Innovation | STATAFRIC | E-mail: Alenej@africanunion.org
2. Ms. Aberash Tariku | Coordination Expert | STATAFRIC | E-mail: AberashT@africanunion.org
Media Contact:
1. Mr. Noel John | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: Kenyin@africanunion.org