By Jones Gadama
The National Statistical Office (NSO) has emphasized the need for a well-coordinated statistical system across all stakeholders in the data fraternity to inform policy decisions that improve people’s lives. Speaking during a National Statistical System (NSS) Steering Committee meeting in Salima, NSO Commissioner of Statistics Shelton Kanyanda highlighted the importance of refining, distributing, and utilizing data to drive development.
“The NSS exists not only to produce numbers but to transform data into knowledge and knowledge into action,” Kanyanda said.
He stressed that a smooth-running statistical system is crucial, requiring coordination across government ministries, departments, agencies, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and the general public, all protected by the Statistics Act.
A well-coordinated statistical system would enable the country to make informed decisions, track progress, and ultimately achieve its development goals. This is particularly important as Malawi aims to realize its vision through initiatives like Malawi 2063.
The NSO is already working on critical surveys like the Malawi Demographic Health Survey, which assesses population, health, and gender-based violence, among other indicators.
The NSO, established under the 2013 Statistics Act, plays a vital role in collecting and disseminating official statistics.
With support from partners like the government of Norway, the NSO is working to strengthen its capacity for statistics and microeconomic analysis.
