The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) says it requires N$250 million to fulfill its mandate timeously.
NSA’s CEO and Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni said financial constraints are hampering the statistics agency’s ability to conduct crucial surveys.
Shimuafeni said lack of adequate funding has led to delays in critical surveys, such as the Population and Housing Census, which was postponed from 2021 to 2023.
“We make the best use of the budget we have. However, to be adequately funded, we would require N$250 million for the NSA alone. With this level of funding, we could then undertake all the necessary tasks,” he said.
This comes as the Agency is due to release the main report of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in October after the release of preliminary results earlier this year, which showed a population increase of over 900,000 since 2011.
“At the end of October, they’re going to release the basic reports and other thematic areas from the census. It takes a lot of time to come up with those reports,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NSA is also planning to undertake the Agriculture Census to provide a detailed picture of the agricultural sector in Namibia. The survey is conducted every 10 years alongside the population census.
NSA’s Deputy Statistician General Ottilie Mwazi said the housing and population census created the framework for the agricultural census to be conducted.
“Leveraging the data from the population census, we’ve built a sampling frame for the upcoming Census of Agriculture, which takes place every 10 years. This in-depth survey will provide a comprehensive picture of Namibia’s agricultural sector, going far beyond the basic information captured in the housing census about household involvement in agriculture. A pilot run is planned for next year to refine the methodology before the full census commences,” she said.
She further explained that the Agency is exploring ways to leverage existing data. The NSA is partnering with government ministries and development organisations to utilise administrative records, such as population registers, to complement traditional survey methods.
“As part of our strategic plan to improve data collection efficiency, we’re collaborating with development partners like Norway. Norway’s expertise in utilising administrative data is particularly valuable, as we’re working closely with Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs to develop a comprehensive population register. This register will track population movements, allowing us to accurately locate and capture data on every resident, regardless of their location within the country,” she explained.
