By Omar Bah
During the launch of the 2023 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) Series Report in Accra, Afrobarometer CEO Joseph Asunka emphasized the significance of data in effective governance. Asunka highlighted how data clarifies policy making, resource allocation, and strategic planning, acting as a guiding lighthouse for good governance.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created the IIAG, a comprehensive data set that assesses African governance performance. Their 2023 Series Report, “The Power of Data for Governance: Closing Data Gaps to Accelerate Africa’s Transformation,” presents compelling evidence that high-quality statistics are closely linked to effective governance. Unfortunately, the report also reveals that Africa is the continent most impacted by data gaps, particularly in critical areas such as health, the informal economy, the environment, violence against women, child labor, and illicit financial flows. More funding for research and data infrastructure is a significant factor contributing to these data gaps.
In response to the IIAG report, Asunka highlighted data’s crucial role in informing policy decisions. He stressed that access to high-quality data empowers governments and public sectors to pinpoint areas for development, strategically target interventions, and gauge the effectiveness of policy implementation. Additionally, he drew a connection between the data gaps identified in the report and the findings from Afrobarometer on the most pressing issues affecting Africans. Asunka shared that according to recent Afrobarometer data, unemployment, economic management, and health are the top concerns for African citizens. Gender-based violence was also identified as a significant gender-related issue on the continent. Regrettably, the IIAG report has revealed considerable data gaps on these critical issues.
Asunka acknowledged the progress made by government statistic agencies in certain countries, including enhancements to the quality and accessibility of official data. However, he emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to develop data utilization skills across various African sectors, such as government, civil society groups, and journalists. As the report outlines, addressing data gaps and equipping critical individuals with the requisite expertise to effectively utilize existing data are crucial.
The Afrobarometer has been contributing data to the IIAG since 2011. It remains the sole data source for the Citizens’ Voices dimension of the IIAG, offering a reality check on official data.
