Africa’s growing use of big data, artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, and digital systems is increasing demand for skilled statisticians and data scientists. Yet limited evidence exists on the continent’s emerging data workforce, hindering effective workforce planning and capacity development. The Young African Statisticians Association is conducting a continental online survey of Africans aged 18–35 who study or work in statistics, data science, demography, biostatistics, and related fields. The study maps who these professionals are, where they are located, their education and technical skills, the sectors in which they participate, and the opportunities and barriers shaping their careers. The presentation will outline the study design and share preliminary descriptive findings on respondents’ socio-demographic profiles, education, expertise, employment, sectoral participation, and geographic distribution. Graphical and spatial visualizations will show where capacity is concentrated and where gaps remain. It will also examine young professionals’ contributions to Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, alongside barriers involving employment, professional development, mentorship, and access to emerging technologies. The findings will help national statistical offices, governments, universities, professional associations, and development partners identify workforce strengths and gaps, target investments, and mobilize Africa’s emerging data talent. The study demonstrates how a continental registry can support stronger, more responsive, and future-ready statistical systems. Problem Statement: According to World Bank data, the tertiary gross enrollment ratio in Sub-Saharan Africa stands at a mere 9%. This statistic highlights the limited number of young individuals, more so in statistics and data science, resulting in a shortage of graduates equipped to address the continent's data needs. Despite the increasing demand for data-driven decision-making across the continent, the contributions of young African statisticians remain underexplored and underutilized. This gap limits the ability of governments and stakeholders to create initiatives that encourage the involvement of young statisticians in addressing Africa's pressing data challenges.
Here is the original proposal of the research study
Objective: This research seeks to virtually map and estimate the population of young African statisticians involved in various categories of statistics and data science, forming part of a larger YASA initiative to enhance data comprehension through the engagement of young statisticians with quality skills and modern techniques, including AI and machine learning.
Methods: This study will be a cross-sectional, online mixed-methods survey design to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from eligible youth aged 18-35 years from any of the African countries. Quantitative data will be collected through structured questionnaire items, while open-ended questions will capture qualitative insights such as aspirations, challenges, and perceptions.
Ethical Considerations: This study will be subjected to ethical approval through a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) in any one of the African countries.
Conclusion: This study will inform governments and other independent institutions of the missing link between available young statisticians and the current needs for their expertise to accelerate development as champions of making data comprehensible.
