The Economic and Statistical Observatory of Sub-Saharan Africa (AFRISTAT) held the 50th session of its Board of Directors from May 19 to 20, 2026. The meeting was opened this Tuesday by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and acting President of AFRISTAT’s Council of Ministers, Ivan Bacale EBE MOLINA.
AFRISTAT’s Board of Directors brings together the Directors General of the national statistical institutes of the member countries.
During the meeting, held in Malabo, the members of this body focused their work on assessing the level of implementation of the activities scheduled for the 2025 fiscal year, the action plan for 2026, the recruitment of the new Director General who would take the helm of the institution in 2028, as well as statutory matters.
The Minister of Finance, Ivan Bacale Ebe Molina, highlighted the impact of the consequences of the current wars on global economies, with rising prices for various products; and Africa is not exempt from this situation, since its countries depend heavily on imports.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the efforts made by African leaders to limit this economic dependence, such as the initiative for the continental free trade area, which entered into force in January 2021.
Continuing his address, he underscored AFRISTAT’s role in the production of statistics on the continent, which are vital for decision-making. For this reason, he congratulated the member countries that have already met their financial obligations and encouraged the other States that have not yet done so to follow their example, in order to continue ensuring the optimal functioning of the continental institution.
With regard to Equatorial Guinea, Bacale EBE MOLINA announced to those present that the Government has committed to continue providing its financial contribution to the institution.
At the end of his speech, the acting President of AFRISTAT’s Council of Ministers, the highest body of that institution, thanked the technical and financial partners who collaborate with and provide financial support to AFRISTAT for its operations.
For his part, the Director General of the Economic and Statistical Observatory of Sub-Saharan Africa, Paul-Henri Nguema MEYE, thanked the Government for accepting to host the 50th meeting of AFRISTAT’s Board of Directors, for the hospitality extended during their stay in Malabo, as well as for the financial contribution that Equatorial Guinea provides to the entity he leads.
During the event, AFRISTAT’s top official highlighted the financial difficulties facing his institution. He therefore called on member States to mobilize resources in order to ensure the entity’s operations.
The Director General of INEGE, Ricardo Nsue NDEMESOGO OBONO, highlighted the role AFRISTAT plays in the member States. He stated that this entity helps ensure the production of statistical data in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Therefore, as part of its mission, it has the obligation to support member States in implementing major statistical operations, that is, to provide technical assistance and training to staff. All of this is aimed at ensuring that countries produce statistical information in accordance with established international statistical methodologies.
The holding of this Board of Directors coincides with AFRISTAT’s 30th anniversary, founded in 1996—an occasion, on the one hand, to assess the institution’s progress and, on the other, to plan for the future.
On the occasion of this celebration, a statistical conference was also organized under the title “Statistical maturity in Sub-Saharan Africa”, in which development partners and technical partners also participated. The conference provided a framework for addressing economic development issues across different sectors.
