Abstract

There are previously unheard-of chances to improve official statistics in Africa thanks to the quick development of digital technologies and data innovation. New data sources with the potential to provide richer, more detailed, and timely insights into socioeconomic conditions include satellite images, social media analytics, and cell phone data. Nevertheless, there are a number of critical issues that need to be resolved before these new data sources may be included in official statistics. These issues include institutional capacity, data governance, and public confidence. This study looks at ways to increase public confidence and improve the ability of national statistical systems to use new data sources for official statistics in Africa. It examines best practices for frameworks of data governance that put privacy, accountability, and transparency first. It also looks at ways to build community trust through community involvement, highlighting the importance of these new data for evidence-based decisions. Initiatives aimed at increasing capacity are also included; these centre on cooperation between academic institutions, statistics agencies, and the commercial sector, as well as infrastructure training. The study further illustrates both the possibilities and the difficulties in utilizing novel data sources by using case studies from African nations that have led the way. It makes the case that African countries may guarantee the sustainability of these new approaches for statistical production by increasing public faith in them and improving the quality and relevance of their official statistics through the implementation of relevant policies and capacity-building initiatives. Policymakers, data producers, and stakeholders will gain important insights from the presentation on how to create a cooperative atmosphere that encourages the use of novel data sources while preserving the accuracy and legitimacy of official statistics.