The Directorate of National Statistics (DNS) of the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development is leading two weeks training on the development of National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS). In this training, number of sectors such as Health, Education and Agriculture as well as Ministries of Planning of the Federal Member States are represented.

The training workshop is sponsored by the World Bank as part of its support to the Federal Government. In this training, participants are expected to learn the concept, process and approach for NSDS and its importance to the wider Somali statistical system. This is on-job training and participants are expected to develop a draft of Sector Statistics Plan for improving the state of statistics in their sector at the end of the two weeks.

Front left: Abdullahi Dahir, Hussein Elmi (DNS) Deputy Director General, Prof. Ben Kiregyera (Consultant), Ahmed Elmi Muhumad (Consultant), Naima Hussein (NSDS Coordinator), Mary Stella Wanjiru Kimani (World Bank), Ibrahim Nur.           Back Left: Hassan Ali, Abdullahi Hassan, Osman Jama, Salah Abdi, Abdalla Omar Ahmed Elmi Muhumad, NSDS Consultant, stated in his opening remark the importance of NSDS for the National Statistical System not only at the federal level but also for the member states and other relevant stakeholders. Professor Ben Kiregyera, World Bank Consultant and co-author of the NSDS Guidelines, said that this workshop would give participants an opportunity to not only understand why countries need NSDS and how to design and implement it properly, but also appreciate current global trends and initiatives in statistical development.

Based on the outcome of this training and the draft Sectoral Statistical Plans, a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics will be drafted. The NSDS will address challenges in Somali Statistical System and meeting data needs for national development processes (e.g. National Development Plan, Sector Statistics Plans, State Development Plans, etc.) as well as global agendas such as Sustainable Development Goals.