National Statistical System

The National Statistical System (NSS) in Rwanda is the ensemble of statistical organizations and units within Rwanda that jointly collect, process and  disseminate official statistics on behalf of the Government of Rwanda. Specifically, it is composed of five main components: The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR); various State institutions that provide statistical information. Such statistical data constitute the official statistics; organs which use statistical information; organs that provide statistical information, including public and private institutions, non-governmental organizations, households and the population; and institutions of research and training including institutions of higher learning.

The Organic Law Nº 45/2013 of 16/06/2013 – is the law on the organization of statistical activities in Rwanda (replacing the old Organic Law Nº 01/2005 of 14/02/2000), NISR is designated as the coordinator of NSS.
 

National Strategy for the Development of Statistics

To serve its purpose effectively, NSS requires strategic and coherent planning, bringing together various stakeholders towards achieving the shared goal of better statistics. Articulating this, a comprehensive strategy document, aimed at development of statistics in the national context, identified also as the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) has proven to be of critical importance in this background.

The first National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS1) in Rwanda, was designed and developed to serve as a framework for the programs, projects and activities of the National Statistical System (NSS) during the period 2009-2014 with the aim of providing relevant, quality, timely and accessible statistics, in a more efficient and coherent manner, needed for evidence-based policy and decision-making.

With successful implementation of NSDS1 coming to its completion, the second NSDS (NSDS2) will cover the period of five years from 2014/2015 to 2018/2019.

It therefore, builds upon the work done under NSDS1 and aims at continuing the development of the National Statistical System (NSS), towards preparing it to respond to the statistical requirements anticipated for a typical middle-income country by 2020.

This will enable NSS to further present a comprehensive and accurate picture of the Rwandan socio-economic and environmental fabric, improve the implementation of evidence-based policy-making and contribute to the promotion of dialogue and scientific research.

The strategy will help to ensure that produced statistical data are reliable, coherent, and effective in monitoring variables, measuring trends and producing indicators.