Data Must Drive Africa’s Food Security Strategy, Says Officer in Charge of African Center of Statistics

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2025 (ENA) -- African countries cannot effectively assess food production, consumption, or the actual needs of their populations without accurate data, Tinfissi Ilboudo, Officer in Charge of African Center of Statistics at UNECA noted.

In an exclusive interview with ENA on the sidelines of the UN Food Systems Summit, he said “food security must be a data-driven process. We need to know how many people are in need, how much food we produce, and where gaps or surpluses exist. These insights must come from nationally generated data.”

Ilboudo stressed that without accurate data, African countries cannot effectively assess food production, consumption, or the actual needs of their populations. 

According to him, many African nations are making steady progress in strengthening their statistical systems through censuses, surveys, and improved data processing.

However,  he pointed out that the shortage of trained professionals remains a major challenge. “Trained experts are essential for managing national data systems effectively.”

In this regard, Ilboudo stated that “Ethiopian professionals are truly top-tier,” adding that the country is making tremendous efforts in data collection and system management.  

Moreover, the Officer in Charge of African Center of Statistics highlighted the importance of continental collaboration, pointing at the biennial Statistical Commission for Africa (StatCom-Africa) event organized by the Economic Commission for Africa.

The forum brings together chief statisticians from all 54 African countries to address key issues such as agricultural statistics, data centralization, and capacity building.

“We meet every two years — either in Addis Ababa or another host city, to develop solutions that promote the effective use of data in policymaking,” Ilboudo said.

He finally urged African countries to stay committed to data-driven development, particularly by investing in youth and emerging technologies.

“Africa has a young, dynamic population ready to contribute. We must train them, harness artificial intelligence, and ensure our systems are equipped to collect and use data efficiently. This is the future of decision-making in Africa.”

The African Centre for Statistics, part of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, plays a key role in enhancing statistical capacity across the continent to support evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development.