RWANDA has tremendously moved up the African Statistics league, an index used by the World Bank to rate the statistical capacity of African countries. In a new World Bank report, Rwanda moved 17 places from the 23rd in 2006 to the 6th in Africa.

The WB uses a number of dimensions, indices and indicators to gather and share development data of each country in order to understand the challenges facing each of them.

Among these dimensions is the statistical practice and capacity of countries to collect data as well as indicator availability. This was revealed at the ongoing 2nd International Scientific Statistical Conference in Kampala, Uganda.

In a paper title "Rwanda at a Glance”, a result of a research jointly conducted by the WB and the African Capacity Building Foundation shows that Rwanda has joined 2 star countries from the 3 star category. The rankings are awarded per every 100 points scored in all fields.

In particular, Rwanda stands out among African states in tracking and keeping statistical data. The indicators reveal that the country has the most elaborate and accurate data collection and storage of all social-economic aspects.

Among the field studied, Rwanda’s stance on Millennium Development Goals is outstanding with the Government evidently keen to reducing poverty, improving health and education and protecting the environment.

The WB partly attributes Rwanda’s success story to the improved ICT Infrastructure development in the country which the Government has heavily invested in.

It also commends the nation for fully developed data sheets that show gender indicators, basic demographic data, population dynamics, labour force structure and nutrition, among others.

The study also takes a snapshot on the investment climate in the country and Rwanda is among the top places in the world where one could invest or do business.

In this category, aspects such as rules and regulations, labour laws, purchasing power parities, contract enforcements, bankruptcy, productivity and growth are all put into consideration before assessing whether a country is investment worthy.

"Following the Genocide, Rwanda has taken bold steps towards development and no wonder it’s highly rated,” said Dr. Ben Kiregyera, the Director of African Centre of Statistics at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Meanwhile, it emerged this week in the Kampala meeting that plans are underway to see all African states create a networked and easily accessible statistical data base.

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