Abstract

Africa’s national and regional statistical systems face two linked challenges in the years ahead. They must sustain the capacity they have built and they must transform to meet growing demand for timely, granular and innovative data. Monitoring Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, preparing for the next census round and harnessing artificial intelligence all raise the bar for what these systems must deliver. Each of these demands ultimately depends on people. Yet statistical systems rarely plan deliberately for the young statisticians and data scientists who will carry this work forward, partly because this talent remains largely invisible. The session’s earlier presentations examine who Africa’s young statisticians and data scientists are and why a registry matters for skills, inclusion and workforce planning. Building on them, this presentation sets out priority actions that use a registry of young professionals as a lever for system-level change.

Three actions focus on sustaining systems. The first is to integrate youth workforce planning into national strategies for the development of statistics and regional statistical frameworks. Succession, recruitment and retention should be planned rather than left to chance, particularly where experienced staff are nearing retirement or leaving for better-paid sectors. The second is to give the registry a durable institutional home and long-term financing. Ownership should sit within national statistical systems, with regional bodies coordinating standards and cross-border use, so that the registry outlives any single donor-funded project. The third is to put trusted governance in place from the start. Informed consent, data protection consistent with national law, verification of credentials, and clear rules on who may access registry data and for what purpose will decide whether young professionals are willing to take part.

Three further actions focus on transforming systems. The fourth is to use registry evidence to identify and close skills gaps in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, geospatial analysis, and administrative data integration. Statistical offices and universities can draw on the same evidence to agree on curriculum reform, short courses and joint research, so that training matches the work these systems actually need done. The fifth is to build structured pathways into statistical production and decision-making for young professionals, particularly young women, who remain underrepresented in senior technical and leadership roles. Internships,fellowships, mentorship and cross-country placements can move young people from the margins of statistical work into positions where they help set priorities. The sixth is to adopt a shared minimum data standard and publish aggregated insights regularly. Comparable data would allow regional bodies to benchmark capacity across countries, pool scarce expertise and coordinate investment rather than fund overlapping initiatives.