Rwanda moves up statistical scale

KAMPALA- RWANDA has the most elaborate and accurate data collection and storage, a World Bank study shows. This has pushed the country up the African Statistics league—an index used by the World Bank to rate the statistical capacity of all countries. A World Bank report released in March 2008 indicated that Rwanda had moved 17 places from the 23rd place in 2006 to the 6th currently, in Africa. The World Bank 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 being held in Kampala. In a paper “Rwanda at a Glance” that was researched by the World Bank and the African Capacity Building Foundation shows that Rwanda has moved from a 2 star country to a 3 star in the rankings, which are awarded per every 100 points scored in all fields. The country stands out among African states in tracking and keeping statistical data. The indicators reveal that Rwanda 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 (MDG) is outstanding with the Kigali government keen on reducing poverty, improving health and education and protecting the environment. World Bank puts Rwanda’s success story to the improved ICT Infrastructure development in the country which the government has heavily invested in. World Bank also commends Rwanda for fully developed data sheets that show gender indicators, basic demographic data, population dynamics, labor force structure and Nutrition among other things. 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, labor laws, Purchasing Power Parities, contract enforcements, bankruptcy, productivity and growth are all put into consideration before assessing whether a country is investment worthy. Rwanda faired equally better than most African countries. “Rwanda has taken bold steps towards development and no wonder the country is highly rated,” said Dr. Ben Kiregyera, the Director of African Centre of Statistics at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Speaking to The New Times in Kampala, Dr. Kiregyera commended Rwanda for introducing the National Identification Programme because national identity cards ease the process of data collection. Ends

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Rwanda moves up statistical scale