Digital transformation to sustainably strengthen trade statistics in Africa: Lessons from TiSSTAT and MyACTA
International statistical standards and modern digital technologies offer significant opportunities to strengthen the production of trade statistics. Secure online data collection, standardized implementation of international classifications, automated validation and reproducible statistical workflows can improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of official statistics. However, ensuring the sustainable operation of digital statistical systems remains a challenge for many countries.
In response to requests from African partner countries, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has developed two complementary digital platforms: the Trade in Services Statistics Information System (TiSSTAT), which supports the compilation of trade in services statistics, and My Africa Cross-Border Trade Assistant (MyACTA), which supports the collection and analysis of informal cross-border trade data. Developed in collaboration with implementing institutions, both platforms illustrate how shared digital tools and technical cooperation can support statistical modernization while enabling participating institutions to retain ownership and control of their data and services.
This panel discussion will bring together UNCTAD and representatives of African institutions involved in implementing TiSSTAT and MyACTA to exchange practical experiences from the development, deployment and operation of these systems. Panellists will discuss the role of co-development and shared maintenance in improving digital applications, as well as the institutional, technical and governance conditions required for their sustainable adoption.
The discussion will explore how international technical cooperation can better integrate statistical methodology, shared digital solutions and long-term institutional partnerships to strengthen trade statistics capacity across Africa.
The objectives of the session are to:
• Present TiSSTAT and MyACTA as examples of digital statistical infrastructure developed in response to needs identified by African countries.
• Share implementation experiences from African institutions involved in the development, piloting and operation of these systems.
• Discuss how co-development and shared maintenance can contribute to sustainable statistical modernization.
• Explore ways to integrate methodological expertise, digital solutions and institutional capacity development into technical cooperation.
Expected outcomes include an exchange of experiences among African institutions engaged in digital statistical modernization, increased awareness of co-development as a model for sustainable statistical infrastructure, and the identification of common institutional, technical and governance challenges. The discussion will also seek to identify recommendations for future technical cooperation that responds to the needs of African institutions and supports the long-term strengthening of trade statistics.
The session will take the form of a 75-minute panel discussion. It will be held in person, with remote participation available for panellists and participants where required.
