THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
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DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR NATIONAL ACCOUNTS STATISTICS 2022
TANZANIA MAINLAND
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Table of contents
Table of contents ........................................................................................................................... i Definition of Terms ...................................................................................................................... ii Abbreviation ................................................................................................................................. v 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 2. Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 2 3. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 2 4. Scope ...................................................................................................................................... 2 5. Detailed Assessment Results .............................................................................................. 3 6. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 33 7. Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 33 8. References ........................................................................................................................... 35
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Definition of Terms Dimension highest level of data quality assessment according to IMF where five broad data quality dimensions are common. Element second level of data quality assessment according to IMF where granular quality dimensions are considered. Indicator third level of data quality assessment where components of quality elements are identified. Focal issue provides more detail for each indicator that are tailored to the dataset in question Key point identifies quality features that may be considered in addressing the focal issues. The key points are meant to be suggestive, not exhaustive. Relevance the extent to which the statistics satisfy the needs of the users. Accuracy the closeness of estimates to the exact or true values that the statistics were intended to measure. Reliability the closeness of the initially estimated value(s) to the subsequent estimated value(s) if preliminary figures are disseminated. Timeliness the length of time between the end of a reference period (or date) and the dissemination of the statistics. Punctuality the time lag between the release date and the target date by which the data or statistics should have been delivered. Accessibility the ease and conditions with which statistical information can be obtained. Clarity the availability of appropriate documentation relating to the statistics and the additional assistance that producers make available to users.
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Coherence
the ability to reliably combine statistics and data sets in different
ways and for various uses. Consistency is often used as a synonym
for coherence.
Comparability
the extent to which differences in statistics from different
geographical areas, non-geographical domains, or over time, can be
attributed to differences between the true values of the statistics.
Full
compliance
could be defined as meeting at least 80 per cent of the applicable key
points (only little room for improvement).
Partial
compliance
meeting between 30 and 80 per cent of the applicable key points
(some major improvements are needed)
No compliance
meeting at most 30 per cent of the applicable key points (urgent
action is necessary).
Not applicable
an item is not part of the practice in the methodology or process of
the statistical product which is assessed.
Prerequisites of
quality
Although not itself a dimension of quality, this group of “pointers to
quality” includes elements and indicators that have an overarching
role as prerequisites, or institutional preconditions, for quality of
statistics.
Assurances of
integrity
This dimension relates to the adherence to the principle of objectivity
in the collection, compilation, and dissemination of statistics. The
dimension encompasses institutional arrangements that ensure
professionalism in statistical policies and practices, transparency,
and ethical standards.
Methodological
soundness
This dimension covers the idea that the methodological basis for the
production of statistics should be sound and that this can be attained
following internationally accepted standards, guidelines, or good
practices. This dimension is necessarily dataset-specific, reflecting
different methodologies for different datasets
Accuracy and
reliability
This dimension covers the idea that statistical outputs sufficiently
portray the reality of the economy This dimension is also data
specific, reflecting the sources used and their processing.
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Serviceability This dimension relates to the need that statistics are disseminated with an appropriate periodicity in a timely fashion, are consistent internally and with other major datasets, and follow a regular revision policy. Accessibility This dimension relates to the need for data and metadata to presented in a clear and understandable manner on an easily available and impartial basis, that metadata are up-to-date and pertinent, and that a prompt and knowledgeable support service is available
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Abbreviation AASS Annual Agriculture Sample Survey ASIP Annual Survey of Industrial Production BOT Bank of Tanzania CBR Census of Business Register COFOG Classification of the Functions of Government COICOP Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose CPA Classification of Products by Activity CPC Central Product Classification DQA Data Quality Assessment DQAF Data Quality Assessment Framework EAC East African Community GDDS General Data Dissemination System GDP Gross Domestic Product GFCF Gross Fixed Capital Formation GSBPM Generic Statistical Business Process Model HBS Household Budget Survey ICT Information and Communication Technology ILFS Integrated Labor Force Survey IMF International Monetary Fund ISIC International Standard Industrial Classification ISWGNA Inter-Secretariat Working Group on National Accounts ITDM Information, Technology and Data Management MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies MEFMI Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa MoF Ministry of Finance MoU Memorandum of Understanding MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework NA National Accounts NBS National Bureau of Statistics NPISH Non-Profit Institutions Saving Households NPS National Panel Survey NSS National Statistical System OCGS Office of the Chief Government Statistician PEPMIS Public Employee Performance Management Information System
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SDDS Special Data Dissemination Standard SNA System of National Accounts SUTs The Supply and Use Tables TQAF Tanzania Quality Assurance Framework TRA Tanzania Revenue Authority TSMP Tanzania Statistical Master Plan
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- Introduction
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has the responsibility of coordinating, producing,
and disseminating all statistics including official administrative statistics as well as
national survey and censuses. In addition, NBS, as the mandated oversight institution for
producing statistics in Tanzania Mainland acknowledges the importance of providing
relevant and quality statistics to users.
Through Tanzania Statistical Master Plan Phase Two (TSMP II) 2022/23-2026/27 a
development goal has been set to strengthen the National Statistical System (NSS) in
Tanzania to enable it produce quality statistics for decision makers in an objective, timely,
and cost-effective manner. Production of high-quality statistics depends on the
assessment of data quality. Without a systematic assessment of data quality, NBS will
risk to lose control of the various statistical processes such as data collection, editing or
weighting. Production, coordination and dissemination of data without data quality
assessment would result in assuming that the processes cannot be further improved and
that problems will always be detected without systematic analysis.
Given the varied quality of official statistics and increased demand for data use at all
levels, NBS embarked on this data quality assessment (DQA) to characterize the quality
of routine data, and to identify factors associated with the quality and use of routine data
in Tanzania Mainland. Understanding data quality, processes of data collection and
associated barriers to enhancing quality helps to formulate tailor-made strategies to
improve data quality and use.
This report provides detailed information on indicators of statistical practices in the areas
of the national accounts statistics gathered during the assessment conducted by the NBS’s
Research and Standards Department which will finally be a publicly available document.
The information was provided by National Accounts Statistics experts of the National
Bureau of Statistics. This assessment was conducted in lines with the generic
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) and
used to prepare the summary assessment of data quality elements based on a four-part
scale of compliance which is full compliance, partial compliance, no compliance and not
applicable.
The IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) identifies quality-related features of governance statistical systems, statistical processes, and statistical products. It is rooted in the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and grew out of the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), the IMF’s initiatives on data dissemination.
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- Objectives The main purpose for conducting qualitative assessment for the National Accounts Statistics was to ensure that NBS in discharging its mandate of overseeing the production of these statistics is aware of the strengths, weaknesses (and risks), and limitations of the data performance as well as the extent to which the data can be trusted to influence management decisions and eventually, the identification of possible improvement actions.
- Methodology The Research and Standards Department in ensuring that data quality assessment for the national accounts statistics is undertaken successfully, the key procedures for conducting the assessment were followed including: issuing the roadmap for the assessment; undertaking orientation to the NBS Management and staff from the National Accounts Statistics Department; conducting pre-assessment; and conducting the actual assessment.
- Scope The assessment was based on levels whereby the first level covers the prerequisites of quality and five dimensions of quality; assurances of integrity, methodological soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability, and accessibility. For each of these prerequisites and five dimensions, there are elements (two-digit level) and indicators (three-digit level.). At the next level, focal issues that are specific to the compilation of the National Accounts Statistics are addressed.
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Detailed Assessment Results The following are detailed results of the assessment based on the four (4) levels of the assessment checklist which are dimension, element, indicator and focal issue with narration and links to relative supporting documents such as the statistics Act Cap. 351, 2008 SNA, NBS staff regulation, Scheme of Service, Advance Release Calendar, NBS strategic plan and Statistical Guidelines.
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Prerequisites of quality
0.1 Legal and institutional environment
0.1.1 The responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating the statistics is clearly specified
• The primary responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating the statistics is clearly established
The statistics Act Cap. 351 mandates NBS to collect, compile, analyse and disseminate official statistics. The Statistician General has delegated the powers to the heads of government institutions to collect and publish official statistics subject to guidelines issued by NBS. Statistics produced by agencies shall qualify to be official statistics if they meet criteria set by NBS and approved by the Statistician General. NBS can also make any agreement with any agency to collect jointly official statistics as the need arises. The Statistics Act can be downloaded from https://www.nbs.go.tz/uploads/documents/en-1701864877- STATISTICS_ACT_CAP_351_(R.E%202019).pdf Conflicts or potential conflicts between the legal authority to produce statistics and other laws or provisions (e.g., access to information law or bank secrecy laws) have been successfully resolved or reconciled with no major impairment to the data production as provided in section 46 of CAP 351.
0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination among data-producing agencies are adequate
• Arrangements or procedures exist to facilitate data sharing and coordination between the agency (agencies) with the primary
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responsibility for compiling the statistics and other data producing agencies Section 17 of the Statistics Act gives NBS the responsibility of coordinating the National Statistical System (NSS) with a view to having an integrated statistical system to ensure optimal utilization of available resources. NSS includes data providers, producers and users of statistics, research and training institutions. Coordination of NSS and mainly comprises of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Act provides a comprehensive approach to statistical cooperation in Tanzania, including access to data for the purposes of official statistics production. In access to public or other records, the collection of statistics relation to any matter may be obtained from any Government institution, agency, or user or producer of statistics, Statistician General shall grant access to authorized NBS officer or staff for the purpose of getting information.
The Statistics Act empowers the NBS Statistician General to share data at the request of any person or agency free of charge, provided that data shared is not about individual persons or entities.
NBS through Department of National Accounts Statistics in collaboration with other stakeholders conducted regular meetings with several key data providers such as the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania Revenue Authority, and Private Sectors to promote understanding on data requirements. The law does not enforce direct on the flow of source data. Mostly, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are used in data sharing with MDAs. NBS has MoU with key data providers to facilitate data sharing and ensure access to data in a standardized manner.
0.1.3 Individual reporters’ data are to be kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only
• The confidentiality of individual reporters’ data is guaranteed and that guarantee is widely known.
Sections 31 and 33 the Statistical Act Cap 351 stipulates restriction to disclosure information and unidentified information and NBS cannot