KIGALI - The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) is set to provide appropriate, reliable, timely and accessible statistical information on Rwanda in a harmonized manner after the first ever National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) was launched yesterday.

The NSDS is a tool meant to strengthen the country’s entire National Statistics Systems (NSS), a combination of institutions that provide statistical information to the government and the public, for planning and decision making.

"The strategy we are launching today constitutes a significant milestone in our journey towards rebuilding a credible national statistical system – we know that there remains a lot to be done but I would like to assure you of the government’s commitment in this regard,” John Rwangombwa, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, told an audience that included regional statisticians, government officials and development partners.

The acting Director General of NISR, Dr. Diane Karusisi, noted that NSDS’s vision is to become an efficient information support for realizing Rwanda’s vision 2020 and be recognized as a leading national statistical system in Africa.

The Minister, however, added that statistics themselves are of little value adding that it is what they are used for that makes the difference.

To reinforce the existing data dissemination mechanisms, two other online tools – DevInfo Rwanda and IMIS-Rwanda were launched. DevInfo is a database that focuses on development indicators. It measures the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and EDPRS indicators, while IMIS-Rwanda provides online access to micro data in addition to the indicators.

"These tools have the capability to analyze and present data in a variety of forms including tables, graphs and thematic maps. These two tools therefore provide policy makers, development partners and research institutions, among others, with a friendly platform for data access,” said Rwangombwa.

The cost of implementing the NSDS for five years, is estimated at $ 80.5 million and the bill will be footed by the government and development partners.

The launch was concluded with the signing of an NSDS basket fund MoU between the Ministry of Finance, the European Commission (EC) delegation and the DfID.

On behalf of development partners, Elizabeth Carriere, the head of DFID in Rwanda, noted that the NSDS’s launch is an important step not only in the advancement of quality statistics in Rwanda but also for the development of Rwanda itself.

"Rwanda’s development partners need to be able to provide evidence that our support is yielding results, and further, that these results are being achieved through efficient means that reflect real value for money,” she noted.

She encouraged the EC and other development partners to join DFID and the AfDB, in supporting the basket fund which will be managed by NISR. The UN Resident Coordinator Aurelien Agbenoci pledged the UN’s continued support in building up Rwanda’s statistical systems.

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