Windhoek: The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) have underscored the significance of reliable statistics in facilitating evidence-based decision-making and fostering sustainable national development.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the emphasis on the importance of statistics was made during the inaugural Statistics Awareness Day, which was held under the theme 'Statistics in the Digital Age as the Foundation for Sound Decision-Making and Sustainable Development.' The event aimed to increase awareness about the value of official statistics and gathered policymakers, parliamentarians, academics, private sector representatives, development partners, and the public.

BoN Governor Ebson Uanguta highlighted that official statistics are crucial for effective policymaking, economic management, and investment decisions. He pointed out the various indicators available to policymakers, including those related to inflation, economic growth, balance of payments, and more. Uanguta also emphasized the importance of Namibia's commitment to the International Monetary Fund's Special Data Dissemination Standard, which has enhanced transparency and access to international capital markets.

NSA Statistician-General and CEO Alex Shimuafeni described statistics as a strategic national asset that underpins economic growth, social development, and governance. He stressed that statistics provide a foundation for sound policies and highlighted their role in tracking progress towards national and international development goals. Shimuafeni also noted the significance of Namibia's 2023 Population and Housing Census, the first fully digital census, in modernizing the country's National Statistical System.

The technical programme of the event included discussions on the production and use of official statistics, focusing on digital transformation, data governance, and artificial intelligence. International Monetary Fund Deputy Director of Statistics Jim Tebrake warned about the risks of poor-quality data and advocated for investment in modern statistical systems.

The event concluded with a panel discussion where participants called for increased investment, capacity building, and collaboration among data-producing institutions. This collaboration is seen as essential to ensure that accurate, timely, and accessible statistics continue to support Namibia's development objectives.