New Data Finalised to Support Vision 2040 in South Sudan

(JUBA) – The National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Children’s Fund have convened a national workshop in Juba to finalise and interpret results from the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, one of the most comprehensive household studies conducted in South Sudan.

The Data Interpretation and Report Compilation workshop was held at Palm Africa Hotel from 28 to 30 January and marked the final technical stage before the public release of the survey findings.

Officials said the survey, known as MICS7, provides more than 170 key indicators on health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation, and child protection.

The data will be used to track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, South Sudan’s Vision 2040, and the African Union Agenda 2063.

Speaking at the opening session, the Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Augustino Ting Mayai, said reliable data is essential for good governance and effective public policy.

He said the survey offers a clear guide for national planning and highlights the importance of cooperation between government institutions and development partners.

The workshop is expected to produce a final draft report that will serve as the main evidence base for government planning and UNICEF’s Country Programme for the period 2026 to 2030.

In related developments, Dr Mayai recently attended an extraordinary meeting of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development in Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting focused on leadership transition and institutional management as senior officials near the end of their terms.

The National Bureau of Statistics said South Sudan’s participation reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and shared standards.

Separately, the bureau, together with the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Bank of South Sudan, has organised a high level policy dialogue on official statistics.

The forum, held under the theme “Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Lives,” discussed the Second National Strategy for the Development of Statistics for 2026 to 2030.

Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior told participants that accurate data is vital for sound decision making and improved public services.

Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol said strong statistics are the foundation of evidence based policy and national development.

Dr Mayai said reliable data supports national sovereignty and public accountability.

The dialogue agreed to strengthen the legal framework for statistics, mobilise sustainable funding, and improve coordination among data producers.

In another recent initiative, the National Bureau of Statistics officially launched the National Agriculture Census to improve information on food production and rural livelihoods.

Speaking at the event, Dr Mayai said modernising agriculture is central to reducing poverty, strengthening food security, and building economic resilience.

The Food and Agriculture Organization representative, Nicholas Kerandi, said the census will provide a detailed picture of farming activities across the country.

FAO reaffirmed its support to the government in strengthening agricultural data systems.

Earlier in January, the bureau also strengthened cooperation with Rwanda through a high level visit to Kigali.

The visit focused on technical training, data systems, innovation, geographic information systems, and improved sampling methods.

Officials said the partnership will help improve the quality of national statistics and support evidence based development in South Sudan.