Uneca launches fresh country data profiles
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) has launched its first fresh set of five country profiles, which will provide countries and regional entities with data and forecasting tools.
Once operational, the profiles will also help to refocus countries’ energies on macro-economic and social policies towards achieving structural transformation.
Speaking at the launch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week, ECA executive secretary Carlos Lopes said the profiles will also provide decision-makers with strategic and practical recommendations and allow African countries to assess their macro-economic and social performances as well as their progress in line with post-2015 Development Agenda objectives on a regular basis.
“The new country profiles are not meant to duplicate existing publications by other institutions, but rather to provide a unique overview of challenges and opportunities for structural transformation,” he said.
A key difference between the ECA country profiles and similar products is that they will be based on a sound methodology and on the joint gathering of data with credible national sources, including national statistics offices, finance ministries, central banks and other key stakeholders.
“Once fully operational, the country profiles will be a unique source of comparative data, catering for the needs of decision-makers, academics, analysts and civil society organisations,” explained Lopes.
The launch was a side event of conference of ministers, which runs from March 25 to 31. The profiles are entitled, “ECA Country Profiles as Policy Making Tools for Structural Transformation”. n
