The National Statistical System of Rwanda as defined by Article 11 of the Organic Law No. 01/2005 dated 14/02/2005 on the Organization of Statistical Activities in Rwanda is composed of the following:

• The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR)
• Data Producers - Various government institutions that collect and provide official statistics
• Data users - Institutions which use statistical data for planning and decision-making
• Respondents/data providers – institutions, households, individuals that provide data or information to the NISR and other data producers for statistical purposes5.      Institutions of learning that provide training or courses on statistics 

The NISR is the overall coordinating agency of the National Statistical System.

As the coordinator, it aims to improve the relevance, quality, timeliness and accessibility of official statistics.

The NISR provides capacity-building activities to data producers and data users in the form of training on statistical methods. 

NISR Coordinating Mechanisms 

1. Inter-agency collaboration

The NISR works with other Ministries and local government units in the development of statistical indicators, design of surveys or enhancement of statistical systems. For instance, the NISR works with the Ministry of Health on official statistics, with the Ministry of Agriculture on agriculture statistics, with the provinces and districts on district statistics, etc.

2. Adoption of statistical standards

One of the NISR functions is to review and approve national surveys prior to their conduct. This is to make sure the adoption of statistical standards that will provide accurate data. The NISR also ensures comparability with other countries thru the adoption of international classification standards such as on classification of industries, occupation, terminology, etc. It is now starting to adopt the General Standards on Data Dissemination.  

3. Publishing official statistics and making them accessible

The NISR serves as the one-stop shop of official statistics in the country. Thus, it publishes data produced by other government entities in a single publication such as the Rwanda Development Indicators and the Economic Indicators. 

4. Formulating the National Statistical Program

The National Statistical Program or the National Development Strategies on Statistics (NSDS) is a mechanism for formulating the integrated strategies, programs and activities of the National Statistical System. Thru the NSDS, concerns, priorities and strategies are viewed holistically thus promoting harmony, consistency, rationalized and well coordinated statistical data collection activities. The NISR is now preparing the plan for the first NSDS to be implemented in 2009.

5. Use of multi-sectoral statistical frameworks      

Statistical frameworks are important tools for coordination as they provide a holistic approach. Examples are the Millenium Development Goals, the EDPRS Indicators and the National Accounts. The National Accounts is a composite measure of the economy thru the Gross National Product and the Gross Domestic Product data. Maintaining these frameworks enable the NISR to improve consistency and relevance of data coming from different sources. 

6. Capacity-building Program

The NISR aims to develop not only its capability but also that of the whole statistical system in the production, analysis, use and dissemination of official statistics. It conducts training program and provides technical assistance to statisticians, planners and program implementers.

• Designing and coordinating the national program for the promotion of national unity and reconciliation; Put in place and develop the ways and means likely to restore and strengthen the unity and reconciliation of Rwandans; Educate and sensitize the population on national unity and reconciliation;
  
•  Carry out research, organize proceedings, disseminate and publish findings on peace, national unity and reconciliation;
  
•  Formulate proposals on the best actions susceptible of eliminating divisions between Rwandans, and reinforce national unity    and reconciliation; 
• Denounce and fight all acts, documents and speeches susceptible to circulate all form of discrimination, intolerance and xenophobia;

Full report in PDF (French, Kinyarwanda, English)

Le statut juridique de l'INSR

Monopole de l'INSR en matière des statistiques

Autonomie de l'INSR