The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its partners have developed a new framework to transform the way African countries build their Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems.

According to Mr. Oliver Chinganya, the framework would lead the continent towards universal coverage of vital events. Also, the Head of the African Centre for Statistics at the ECA highlighted that the ECA is proud to be part of the framework. According to him, this will revolutionize the “way we build our civil registration systems into the future in Africa”.

Moreover, Mr. Chinganya stated that the ECA has kept to its commitment on the recommendation of the Nouakchott Declaration. This commitment is to undertake cutting-edge research and produce resource materials to drive CRVS systems in the future. It also aims to “make them reach international standards”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chinganya revealed the ECA worked with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative through Vital Strategies. Also, the Centre of Excellence for CRVS Systems of the International Development Research Centre in developing the framework. complemented these initiatives.

ECA fulfils promise

Thanking the team of experts who worked on it, he said, “I know it was a long process which you did not abandon along the way. Your determination has paid off and we now have a product that we are all satisfied with”.

Also, he indicated thatin 2019, the ECA promised to deliver this product, pilot it, and incorporate the revisions before COM6. Mr. Chinganya, satisfied with the work done, said “I am proud to say we have done it”.

“We now have a product that I can confidently say will lead us towards universal coverage of vital events on the continent. But as you all know, a tool is only good when being used, so we look forward to countries fully utilizing the framework”.
Oliver Chinganya, head of the African Centre for Statistics at the ECA

Additionally, Ms. Liya Mutale appreciated the commitments of all member States, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen CRVS in Africa. She also commended all stakeholders for “the gains recorded during the past few years”.

Furthermore, Ms. Mutale encouraged member States to apply a process-centric approach to access, analyze and redesign CRVS business processes. This, she said, will help “improve overall efficiency and ensure that digital solutions were fit for purpose”.

“Standards are compliant, locally configurable, administrable, and avoid vendor lock-in, and are financially sustainable with a clear total cost of ownership”.
Liya Mutale, Chair of the Bureau and Zambia’s Home Affairs Permanent Secretary

CRVS systems to aid record keeping

The important lessons and experiences from countries that have applied previous and existing CRVS improvement tools informed the development of the framework.

“Better systems and higher demand for civil registration services are key ingredients to achieve many of the sustainable development goals; other development commitments, such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”.
William Muhwava, Head of the APAI-CRVS Secretariat at ECA

Also, Mr. Muhwava, who presented the framework, said CRVS systems are complex. They involve many people, agencies, and ministries, making them hard for people to understand and navigate. The framework, he said, was geared to simplify the process.

Furthermore, CRVS systems will allow the continent to record more births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. As a result, people will get more access to the rights and services they deserve. Planners and policymakers also get better quality information they can use in their CRVS work.