NSO renews strategic plan

The National Statistical Office (NSO) has finalised the Malawi National Statistical System Strategic Plan (NSS SP IV) 2025–2030, a dynamic and nationally recognised framework that provides clear direction for strengthening the production of official statistics across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). In this interview, News Analyst LUCKY MKANDAWIRE speaks to NSO commissioner SHELTON KANYANDA on the plan. Excerpts: What is the background to the NSS SP IV, and what gaps prompted its development?

What are the key highlights in the new plan, and how does it change the production of official data? The NSS SP IV places strong emphasis on emerging and previously neglected areas critical for national development. For the first time, it prioritises the production of quality statistics on gender, environment and climate change—key areas for measuring marginalisation and assessing environmental impacts on the population.

The plan also addresses other important but previously underdeveloped areas, including crime and cybercrime, gender-based violence (GBV), transport, land management, emergencies and disasters, disability, and corruption and public resource mismanagement. A major structural shift is the expansion of participation in the NSS. While the 2017–2019 plan involved 13 MDAs and the 2019–2023 plan expanded this to 17, the NSS SP IV now includes 35 MDAs.

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This broader inclusion is expected to transform the production of official statistics by improving coverage, coordination and data comprehensiveness across government sectors. How will the plan improve coordination and accountability across MDAs? What safeguards are in place to enhance transparency, independence and public trust?

How does the plan align Malawi’s statistical system with regional and international obligations, including SDG monitoring? The NSS SP IV is deliberately aligned with Malawi’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2063 (MIP-1), the global SDG Agenda 2030, and other regional and international commitments. It provides a targeted strategy for building a well-coordinated, harmonised, relevant, timely, high-quality and accessible statistical system.

The goal is to ensure that Malawi’s NSS is fully-equipped to generate reliable data needed to monitor and report progress towards national, regional and global development targets. Implementation is often the real test of such plans. What commitments has NSO made to ensure results?

NSO has committed to providing strong leadership as the central coordinating authority of the NSS. It will oversee implementation, ensure alignment with national priorities, and provide overall direction. To translate the plan into action, NSO will develop annual implementation plans that break down strategic objectives into sector-specific workplans with clear responsibilities, budgets and timelines for each MDA. A results-based monitoring framework will track compliance with statistical standards, while accountability will be enforced through regular reporting, performance reviews and adherence to statistical release calendars.

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