ECOWAS builds capacity of statistical leaders to improve data quality in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun a training programme aimed at strengthening the leadership and management capacities of statistical officials across the region.

The five-day training is being held in Monrovia, Liberia, from October 5 to 9, and brings together statistical leaders from ECOWAS member states and Mauritania.

The programme is expected to improve the effectiveness of National Statistical Systems (NSSs) and strengthen the quality of data used for policymaking and development planning across the region.

The training is being organised by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture.

It forms part of the World Bank-funded Project for the Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA).

Participants include managers from National Statistical Offices and National Statistical Systems of ECOWAS member states and Mauritania, as well as officials from the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) and technical staff of the ECOWAS Commission.

The programme is designed to equip participants with modern leadership and management skills to effectively lead statistical teams and respond to changes in the regional and global data ecosystem.

It will also focus on improving the quality, reliability and effectiveness of national statistical systems to support evidence-based decision-making.