TUNIS,
Tunisia, March 14, 2013/ -- The
African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched Open Data Platforms (www.afdb.org/statistics)
for the following 20 African countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,
Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan,
Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Open Data Platform program is part
of the AfDB’s recently launched “Africa Information Highway” initiative aimed
at significantly improving data management and dissemination in Africa. Work is
on course to complete platforms for the rest of African countries by July 2013.
The Open
Data Platform is a user-friendly tool for extracting data, creating and sharing
own customized reports, and visualizing data across themes, sectors and
countries in tables, charts and maps. Through the Open Data Platform, users can
access a wide range of development data on African countries from multiple
international and national official sources. The platform also facilitates the
collection, analysis and sharing of data among countries and with international
development partners. The platform offers a unique opportunity for various
users, such as policymakers, analysts, researchers, business leaders and
investors around the world, to gain access to reliable and timely data on
Africa. Users can visualize time series development indicators over a period of
time, perform comprehensive analysis at country and regional levels, utilize
presentation-ready graphics or create their own, blog, and share their views
and work with others, thereby creating an informed community of users.
The Open
Data Platform initiative is a response by the African Development Bank Group
aimed at significantly increasing access to quality data necessary for managing
and monitoring development results in African countries, including the MDGs. It
responds to a number of important global and regional initiatives to scale up
the availability of quality data on Africa and so foster evidence-based
decision-making, public accountability and good governance.
Once
implemented, the Open Data Platform will be used by African countries for all
data submission flows to the AfDB and possibly other international development
partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), EU Commission, World
Health Organization (WHO), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), African
Union Commission (AUC) and UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). This
initiative presents a unique opportunity for African countries to take the lead
in implementation and promotion of international statistical standards across
all countries in the region and in enhancing the quality of the data
disseminated by African countries.
The
initiative will also significantly revolutionize data management and
dissemination in Africa, and reposition the continent for more effective
participation in the global information economy.
Distributed by the African Press Organization
on behalf of the African Development Bank