THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

1. THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Monitoring Workshop Kampala Uganda, 5th- 8th May 2008 COORDINATION OF NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM AND DATA REPORTING MECHANISM TO INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES Presented by: E.Kwesigabo The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

2. MDG Monitoring Outlines Introduction Coordination of statistical activities in Tanzania Reporting Mechanism for MDG Data Challenges • Recommendations

3. MDG Monitoring Introduction • At national level (Tanzania Mainland), the implementation of the MDG indicators is guided by the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty – popularly known as MKUKUTA in its Kiswahili acronym endorsed in 2005 MKUKUTA is a MDGs based strategy focusing on three major clusters:- • Growth and Reduction of Income Poverty • Improved welfare and Social well being • Governance and Accountability

4. MDG Monitoring Introduction.. • The MDGs targets are monitored under the MKUKUTA Monitoring System (MMS), with 84 indicators where results are reported through various instruments including the MKUKUTA Annual Implementation Report, Poverty and Human Development Reports, Surveys Reports • The MDGs should therefore be seen as a long term aspiration, addressed through short to medium term MKUKUTA operational targets and outcomes, thus, MDGs in Tanzania is integrated into the National Planning Frame work

5. Coordination of Statistical activities in Tanzania • NBS is the only agency mandated to coordinate all statistical activities in the country aiming at producing statistics that are consistent , comparable over time and across subject matter areas • NBS is responsible for provision of all official statistics to the Government, business community, International Organizations and the public at large. • NBS have full authority to coordinate the reporting of data used for MDG indicators produced by various national agencies

6. Coordination of Statistical activities in Tanzania…. Quality control • NBS established a document onstatistical methods and standards and ensure its use by all producers/users of official statistics so as to facilitate the integration and comparison of statistics produced both nationally and internationally • This document puts together statistical concepts and definitions that are used by all producers and users of statistics in the country in the area of collection and compilation of official statistics • NBS has the authority to verify the quality of data used for MDG indicators and other international organisations from other data producers

7. Coordination of Statistical activities in Tanzania….. Coordination using the Tanzania Socio-Economic Database ( TSED ) • TSED is a web-enabled database which provides a means of organizing, storing and displaying social economic indicators in a uniform format to facilitate sharing in Tanzania and outside Tanzania • TSED was established by the NBS in collaboration with over 20 Ministries and Government Institutions, supported by UNDP and UNICEF • The main purpose of TSED is to allow an overall, up-to-date view of the socio-economic situation in Tanzania and to facilitate use of data for analysis by policy makers and other users

8. MDG Monitoring Reporting Mechanism • Requests on data for the MDG indicators from international agencies are directly sent to the NBS office by fax or electronic mails • NBS has assigned all MDG requests to specific relevant staff to avoid unnecessary delays • NBS liaise with the data producers for quality assurance and consistence of data used for MDG indicators

9. MDG Monitoring Factors to be considered It is very important to consider various factors during the implementation of the MDGs indicators:- Whether we are: • On track or off track • What challenges and lessons we observed • What means in place to drive the momentum forward

10. MDG Monitoring Challenges on Reporting Mechanism • Sometimes, requests are sent by fax with a promise to send soft copies for filling in but they are either delayed or not received at all • Due to both lack of sufficient financial resources and the nature of some surveys, sometimes NBS fails to submit up to date information for MDG indicators as requested

11. MDG Monitoring Recommendations • All requests for data used for MDG indicators should be sent to countries through electronic mails to specific MDGs desk to simplify the filling-in and responses • There is a need for establishing a well known focal point for centralizing all MDGs indicators in the country • There is a need of assisting National Statistical Offices/agencies to develop efficient statistical system to be able to deliver quality, accurate and timely MDGs indicators

12. MDG Monitoring Example of Statistical Data System • Database system will allows the consolidation of all MDGs indicators in one location eg.TSED in Tanzania • Provides powerful and easy to use analytical tools eg. Average, summation.. • Improve decision-making, facilitate dynamic publishing and web dissemination to various levels eg. Data from National to lower level Efficient Statistical System for Quality, Accurate and Timely statistics Effective Local Area Network (LAN) at NSO/Agency and Wide Area Network (WAN) connecting the NSO/Agency, Ministries and UN Statistics Division are essential for improving efficiency and information sharing

13. Thank you ASANTE SANA Merci bourque Obligardo