Issues and challenges of official statistics in sub-Saharan Africa

The statistical function in sub-Saharan African countries is as old as their colonial history. Until the independence of these countries statistical data were part of the management tools of the colonizer. For example the population censuses conducted in the former French territories of Africa which we would describe today as administrative censuses were primarily aimed at fiscal purposes (per capita tax collection). In addition some demographic data were collected on the population in order to establish its structure. In addition regularly calculated consumer price indices were developed to improve the salary levels of expatriates.