The Aporia · Bridging Africa's data gap

Ghanaian lawmaker Albert Nyakotey Tetteh recently emphasized in parliament the importance of using public sector data for infrastructure development, reflecting a broader issue across Africa where insufficient data hinders economic progress. With challenges like supply chain disruptions and energy shortages, countries need accurate information to set effective policies; however, shrinking budgets are complicating efforts to gather such data. For example, Statistics South Africa's budget has dropped by 23% in real terms since 2019, leading to cutbacks in surveys and questions about the credibility of its figures. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that artificial intelligence could improve statistical analysis efficiency and accuracy across the continent.

Written by AI on 2026-10-05, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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African countries are facing significant challenges due to a lack of reliable data, which is essential for effective policy-making and economic development. According to Ghanaian lawmaker Albert Nyakotey Tetteh, "policy without data is like guesswork." This issue is exacerbated by the cancellation or delay of donor-funded surveys since the United States ended funding last year for population surveys that provided critical public health statistics.

In South Africa, the average annual budget allocation for Statistics South Africa has dropped by 23% in real terms since 2019, as reported by authorities in May. This reduction is causing significant strain on data collection efforts and hindering governments' ability to understand crucial metrics such as the value of underground mineral deposits or pension fund assets.

The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted the problem with a health ministry audit revealing that half of salaried health staff in one country were "ghost workers," emphasizing the need for accurate data to address systemic issues effectively.

Written for “Africa Data Initiatives” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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African statistics offices are under mounting funding pressure, with donor-funded surveys cancelled or delayed since Washington ended funding last year for population surveys whose findings were used by governments to collate public health statistics.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-05

2026-10-05 · Semafor

Bridging Africa's data gap · assertive framing

Ghanaian lawmaker Albert Nyakotey Tetteh was making the case for better use of public sector data in infrastructure development when he said that in parliament last month. asserted

he → make → parliament

But his point rings true more broadly: For decades, a lack of data has held back economic development in countries across Africa. asserted

lack → ring → Africa

Countries reeling from supply chain disruptions, energy shocks, and Western aid cuts are trying to comprehend the scale of the challenges they face in order to reset policies. asserted

they → reel → policies

Gathering relevant data is a vital first step to understanding everything from the value of underground mineral deposits to the money held in pension funds. asserted

Gathering → gather → funds

As a case in point, the director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recently told me a health ministry audit in one country revealed half of salaried health staff were “ghost workers.” asserted

half → tell → staff

However, shrinking budgets throw up a major challenge. asserted

budgets → shrink → challenge

In May, South African authorities said the average annual budget allocation for Statistics South Africa — the government department responsible for gathering and publishing official statistics — had fallen by 23% in real terms since 2019. uncertain

allocation → say → 2019

The knock-on effect is a resource squeeze that has led to surveys being cut. asserted

surveys → knock → ?

At the same time, questions have been raised about the credibility of its figures. asserted

questions → raise → figures

South Africa’s 2022 census missed nearly a third of the population, according to the statistics department’s own follow-up survey. uncertain

census → miss → survey

A mismatch on that level distorts how public money is allocated. asserted

money → distort → level

The continent’s biggest economy, whose statistical analysis is comprehensive compared with most other African nations, is not alone in its challenges. asserted

analysis → compare → challenges

findings → mount → statistics

Artificial intelligence can help by improving the efficiency and accuracy of statistical analysis. asserted

intelligence → help → analysis

The UK’s statistics office recently said it is turning to AI to cut costs and improve data amid “squeezed finances.” asserted

it → say → finances

The impact would be felt even more acutely if African officials use this technology to help take the guesswork out of policymaking. asserted

officials → feel → policymaking

Bridging Africa's data gap

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