LocationsUNDP launches STATA training to enhance the capacity of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
November 12, 2025
Group photo: Participants, Director of NBS (center), Economic Advisor of UNDP (right), and the Facilitator (left)of the training.
As South Sudan accelerates efforts to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), has launched a three-week STATA training programme in Juba.
The initiative brings together staff from the NBS, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, sector ministries, universities, and research institutions, to enhance their capacity to manage and analyze large-scale statistical data — a vital step toward producing credible, high-quality information for policymaking and national planning.
STATA is a widely used statistical software for economic and social data analysis, with strong capabilities for processing, visualization, and reporting. In South Sudan, it will play a critical role in supporting the country’s preparedness for major upcoming surveys, including the National Household Budget Survey, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 7), and the Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS).
Through this initiative, the Bureau aims to strengthen its ability to independently manage data production and conduct credible, policy-relevant analysis. A total of 40 participants were selected following a merit-based assessment to ensure their readiness to serve as Trainers of Trainers (ToT) — enabling them to cascade the knowledge and skills gained to colleagues within their respective institutions.
The training methodology emphasizes practical, interactive, and context-relevant learning, tailored to the needs of NBS and its partners. By the end of the programme, participants will be able to conduct descriptive and econometric analysis, generate statistical outputs, and produce reports to inform evidence-based decision-making.
Participant getting ready to learn about STATA
Dr. Ligane Sene, UNDP Economic Advisor for South Sudan and Eritrea, noted:
“This training is a key milestone, representing the culmination of UNDP’s efforts to build national capacity in South Sudan. It builds on previous initiatives under the AfDB-funded Institutional Support Project for Strengthening Economic Governance, including the renovation of NBS’s modern training hall. Our goal is to ensure the training is hands-on and practical — enabling participants to conduct the analyses they need with confidence.”
Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics, added:
“The National Bureau of Statistics exists to ensure that development in South Sudan is guided by credible evidence. Our vision is to be a trusted entity that provides quality statistics to inform decision-making across all sectors. In a world increasingly driven by data, the ability to manage and analyze information is fundamental to good governance.”
This training is part of the Institutional Support Project for Strengthening Economic Governance in South Sudan, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The project aims to enhance public financial management, data systems, and institutional capacity to promote transparent, evidence-based governance and sustainable development.
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