SADC Launches Regional Workshop on ICT Statistics and Observatory in Kinshasa
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, in partnership with the National Institute of Statistics and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the DRC, has officially opened the Regional Workshop on ICT Statistics and Enhancement of the SADC ICT Observatory. The five-day workshop runs from 25–29 August 2025.
The event, convened under the SADC Regional Statistics Project, aims to support the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Statistics and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-30).
The workshop was inaugurated by the Honourable José Mpanda, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of the DRC, alongside Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.
In his keynote address, Minister Mpanda welcomed delegates and emphasised the importance of ICT statistics in evidence-based policymaking, bridging the digital divide, and promoting inclusive socio-economic growth across the region. He highlighted the DRC’s commitment, under President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, to leveraging digital technologies as a key driver of development.
“The workshop presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our capacities to collect, analyse, and use reliable ICT data to inform policies, measure impacts, and address inequalities in ICT service provision,” he said. Minister Mpanda also reaffirmed the DRC’s dedication to regional and international initiatives, including SADC, ECCAS, and EAC, to harmonise data collection and contribute actively to the SADC ICT Observatory.
Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba highlighted the growing need for timely, quality, and disaggregated data to advance the regional development agenda. She described ICT statistics as a cornerstone of the SADC Regional Integration Agenda, noting ICT’s role as a cross-cutting enabler across sectors. She also emphasised the use of mobile phone data, geospatial tools, and Big Data to complement traditional data sources in support of the region’s digital transformation.
The workshop gathers ICT Observatory focal persons from Ministries, Regulatory Authorities, and National Statistics Offices from all sixteen SADC Member States. Participants will review statutory decisions and international initiatives on ICT observatories, explore innovative data sources, and discuss broadband indicators and 2030 targets.
Member States will also share case studies, identify capacity-building needs, and contribute to enhancing the SADC ICT Observatory web portal and database system. Expected outcomes include updated ICT indicator lists, proposals for broadband and postal indicators, and a Concept Note to further strengthen the Observatory. These outputs will inform the next SADC ICT Ministers’ Meeting and align with the SADC RISDP 2020-30 and Protocol on Statistics.
The SADC ICT Observatory is envisioned as a central policy intelligence tool, serving as a reference point for reliable, harmonised ICT indicators across the region. By strengthening the Observatory, SADC aims to empower decision-makers, foster innovation, and reduce the digital divide for the benefit of its citizens.
