By: David Shoombe
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) says the national strategy for statistical development aims to consolidate the Agency as the custodian of data collection and verification, adding the importance of coordination with other institutions.
At a recent Regional Sensitisation Meeting on the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2023-2027, The NSA’s Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, indicated that Namibia needs to prioritise the collection of development data in a coordinated manner to ensure that progress on key development priorities is accelerated.
Shimuafeni stated that: “Namibia requires reliable, timely, and high-quality statistics to formulate sound policies, monitor development programs, allocate resources efficiently, and assess progress towards national, regional, and international development commitments, including Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan, Africa Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The meeting, which brought together top regional leaders from the Khomas Region, including the regional governor, Windhoek City mayor, and senior government officials, sought to improve coordination and reinforce the role of the Agency as the main coordinator of official statistics in Namibia.
Isak Neema, Executive for Quality Assurance and Coordination at the Agency,said it is imperative to ensure that political leaders, the private sector, and academic institutions understand the role of the NSA as the only institution legally mandated to produce and declare official statistics.
Neema added that the Strategy aims to ensure that ministries and government agencies do not work in silos, but instead cooperate.
He said this collaboration would help reduce transportation and fieldwork costs by enabling institutions to work together.
The NSDS aims to achieve better use of statistics, more effective data processes, improved funding for the national statistical system, and enhanced statistical integration and spatial data.
Speaking in support of the Strategy, Khomas Region governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma underscored the importance of data collection for national development.
Nujoma noted that the region faces “complex socioeconomic challenges that requires evidence-based solutions,” remarking that the availability of information allows leaders and institutions to prioritise interventions, allocate resources effectively and monitor progress.
