African development hindered by lack of timely data, says former President Johnson Sirleaf
In her keynote address at the 2023 Afrobarometer Planning Meeting, Her Excellency former President Johnson Sirleaf spoke at length about the critical importance of timely data in African development and policy decision-making. The continent of Africa has, over the years, made significant strides in terms of economic growth and development.
However, it has been beset by a number of challenges, which have impeded progress in certain key areas. One of the most critical of these challenges has been the lack of access to and utilization of timely data, which has led to the implementation of ineffective policies, the misallocation of resources, and the perpetuation of inequalities.
Two of the most significant obstacles facing Africa regarding the timely collection and analysis of data are the lack of infrastructure and resources to do so, and the lack of a culture of data-driven decision-making. These challenges are in turn linked to broader issues such as political instability, corruption, and a lack of transparency and accountability in government.
Despite these challenges, progress is being made in many areas, with increasing recognition of the importance of data in the context of African development, and many governments and organizations investing in building the necessary infrastructure and capacity to collect and analyze data on time.
President Johnson Sirleaf’s remarks highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges. She emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting political stability in Africa.
This includes not only ensuring that data is collected and analyzed in a timely manner, but also ensuring that it is made available to the public in a transparent and accessible way. In this way, citizens and stakeholders can hold governments and other actors accountable for their actions, and make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information.
The president’s remarks also touched on the need to build a culture of data-driven decision-making in Africa. This requires not only the development of technical capacity and infrastructure, but also the cultivation of a mindset that values data and evidence-based decision-making.
To this end, President Johnson Sirleaf urged governments and organizations to invest in education and training programs that promote data literacy and encourage the use of data in decision-making processes.
President Johnson Sirleaf’s keynote address at the 2023 Afrobarometer Planning Meeting highlighted the critical importance of timely data in African development and policy decision-making. Despite significant challenges, progress is being made in building the necessary infrastructure and capacity to collect and analyze data on time.
Moving forward, it will be critical to continue investing in these efforts, while also addressing broader issues such as political instability, corruption, and a lack of transparency and accountability. By doing so, Africa can unlock its full potential and continue on a path of sustainable and inclusive growth and development.
