Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE nation has been urged to urgently modernise its statistical systems, embrace emerging technologies and dismantle data silos to improve service delivery, strengthen governance and achieve its national development aspirations.
Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) director-general, Mrs Tafadzwa Bandama aired these sentiments while officially opening a five-day capacity-building workshop on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) and Open Data Platform (ODP 2.0) currently underway in Mutare.
Mrs Bandama said reliable, timely and accessible data has become indispensable for effective governance and evidence-based decision-making, adding that the country can no longer afford fragmented systems that hinder the flow of information between institutions.
Her remarks come as Government increasingly relies on data to track progress towards national development goals, monitor public programmes and allocate resources more effectively.
She said robust statistics form the backbone of sound policymaking and sustainable development, stressing that Zimbabwe’s future depended on institutions’ ability to produce and share quality data.
“As ZimStat, we remain committed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s National Statistical System and promote a culture of data-driven decision-making. We firmly believe that robust, reliable, timely and accessible data forms the foundation for effective governance, sound policymaking and sustainable development,” she said, adding that the country is entering a new era in which innovation, collaboration and interoperability will determine the effectiveness of national statistical systems.
“The future of official statistics lies in innovation, interoperability and collaboration. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, open data initiatives and integrated statistical systems, present enormous opportunities to improve the relevance, accessibility and impact of our data,” said Mrs Bandama.
She said isolated data systems remain one of the biggest challenges confronting institutions, limiting information sharing and coordination.
“As we modernise our statistical ecosystem, it is essential that institutions work together, break down data silos and adopt common standards that facilitate seamless data sharing and integration,” said Mrs Bandama, adding that Government and its partners are investing in technologies that will transform how official statistics are collected, managed and disseminated.
She highlighted the transition from the current Open Data Portal to Open Data Platform 2.0 as a major step towards making statistics more accessible to users across various sectors.
“We are particularly grateful for the support being provided in the transition from the current Open Data Portal to Open Data Platform 2.0. This next-generation platform will significantly enhance data accessibility by providing a centralised, efficient and user-friendly gateway to official statistics for policymakers, researchers, businesses and the public,” she said.
The platform is expected to improve access to information while reducing delays in the dissemination of official statistics.
Mrs Bandama said enhanced accessibility will ultimately translate into better public policies and improved service delivery.
“The knowledge and skills that will be acquired will strengthen our collective ability to manage, exchange and disseminate data more effectively. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to better policymaking, improved service delivery and stronger development outcomes for our citizens,” she said, noting that strong statistical systems are increasingly critical in measuring progress towards continental and global development frameworks.
Mrs Bandama said development partners including the African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, COMESA and the United Nations Country Team continued to play a crucial role in strengthening statistical systems across the region.
“Their commitment to integrated data and statistical systems provides a critical foundation for monitoring progress and accelerating action towards Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030,” she said.
Mrs Bandama said Zimbabwe’s march towards Vision 2030 would require sustained investment in modern statistical infrastructure and collective commitment from all stakeholders.
“As we move towards Vision 2030, we must continue investing in modern statistical systems, leveraging technology and ensuring that data remains at the centre of national development planning,” she said, adding that the success of the country’s development agenda would depend not only on technology but also on institutions’ willingness to collaborate.
“The success of our collective vision depends not only on the systems and technologies we adopt, but also on our commitment, collaboration and leadership in transforming data into a strategic asset for national development,” she said.
Meanwhile, ZimStat director for statistical services, Mrs Fadzayi Ndlovu said the adoption of the Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) standard will improve the quality and comparability of official statistics.
She explained that SDMX is already widely used globally in areas such as economics, finance, agriculture and social statistics.
“By adopting SDMX, statistical agencies can harmonise metadata, automate reporting and provide real-time access to official statistics, supporting better decision-making and global data comparability,” said Mrs Ndlovu, adding that one of the key benefits of SDMX is its ability to streamline the movement of data between institutions while reducing duplication of effort.
Mrs Ndlovu added that authorities are working towards creating data models that will standardise information management and support automated reporting systems.
The long-term objective, she said, is to build a statistical ecosystem capable of delivering timely information to decision-makers and the public.
