September 23, 2026 (Online): The IGAD Statistics Committee has unanimously adopted the second IGAD Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS II) 2026–2030. Directors General and Heads of National Statistical Offices from seven Member States endorsed the strategy and its accompanying implementation documents, establishing a shared framework for strengthening the region’s statistical system over the next five years. Djibouti, as chair of the Committee, formally declared the RSDS II adopted.
Convened by the IGAD Secretariat, the meeting brought the Strategy from technical validation in Mombasa (August 2026) to a formal Member State decision. The Committee considered the final strategic framework alongside its results and performance measurement framework, implementation matrix and costed work plan, and resource mobilisation strategy. Together, these documents set out what the region intends to achieve, the actions required each year, how progress will be measured and how implementation will be financed.
RSDS II responds to a growing need for reliable and comparable evidence across borders. Climate shocks, food insecurity, migration and displacement affect several IGAD countries at once, while decisions on trade, resilience and regional integration depend on statistics that can be compared and used across national systems. Building on the first regional statistics strategy for 2021–2025, RSDS II seeks to move the IGAD Regional Statistical System from fragmented initiatives towards an integrated data ecosystem with stronger institutions, common standards and more consistent use of evidence in policy decisions.
Presenting the validated strategy, lead consultant Dr. Ruben Muhayiteto outlined a framework organised around five strategic objectives, five pillars, 12 outcomes and 69 outputs and interventions. The five Pillars include: stronger governance and coordination; improved production, harmonisation and use of quality regional statistics; modernisation and interoperability; greater institutional and technical capacity; and better inclusion of gender, climate, migration, displacement and resilience in regional data. The strategy also promotes responsible use of administrative and geospatial data, digital systems and new statistical methods.
RSDS II provides regional coherence while Member States’ national strategies for the development of statistics remain the foundation for work within each country. IGAD’s role is to coordinate shared priorities, support harmonisation and help produce evidence that individual national systems cannot provide as effectively on their own. The Strategy aligns these regional efforts with continental and global commitments, including the Strategy for the Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa II (SaSHA II), Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Strategy emerged from an extensive review and consultation process. An evaluation of RSDS 2021–2025, assessments of national and regional statistical systems, Member State inputs and consultations with partners informed its design. Regional validation meetings in Entebbe and Mombasa helped refine its governance arrangements, alignment with national strategies, results framework, costing and financing approach. The IGAD RSDS Coordinators Working Group also guided the technical process.
During the adoption meeting, representatives of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda each endorsed the final package. Delegates used the discussion to identify issues that will need attention during implementation. Ethiopia emphasised data security, access and governance as the region develops an integrated data ecosystem. Uganda called for careful alignment of regional activities with national statistical plans and budgets to avoid duplication. South Sudan stressed equal Member State ownership, sustained engagement and realistic financing in a period of scarce resources. These contributions reinforced the Committee’s focus on turning a common strategy into practical work across different national settings.
Development partners welcomed the strategy and its alignment with wider statistical priorities. The African Union Institute for Statistics, STATAFRIC, which supported the validation process, confirmed its alignment with the continental statistics strategy and expressed support for implementation. The African Development Bank, which supported the development of the Strategy, encouraged continued alignment between Member State activities and RSDS II and indicated its willingness to remain engaged. The meeting also acknowledged contributions from partners including PARIS21, AfDB, STATAFRIC, GIZ, IOM, UN Women, UNECA, UNHCR, Statistics Sweden, and World Bank.
RSDS II has an indicative implementation cost of USD 13.005 million for 2026–2030. This is the total estimated cost of its 69 interventions, rather than an amount already secured or a single request to development partners. Its financing approach combines IGAD and Member State resources, partner support and contributions in kind, with an ambition to secure at least 30 per cent of financing from domestic and institutional sources by 2030. The strategy will first establish governance arrangements, baselines and common standards in 2026–2027, then expand harmonised production and integrated systems in 2028–2029 before consolidating progress in 2030.
With adoption complete, attention turns to finalising and circulating the endorsed package, confirming national focal points, establishing baselines and reporting arrangements, and mapping financing sources. Member States will then align relevant RSDS II priorities with their national statistical programmes.
RSDS II gives IGAD and its Member States a common basis for investing in statistics as essential regional infrastructure. Its measure of success will be whether stronger coordination and comparable data help decision-makers respond more effectively to the region’s development, integration and resilience challenges.
The RSDS II have been developed through the generous support of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), PARIS 21 and STATAFRIC.
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The IGAD Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (2026-2030)
