Central African Republic lacks poverty measurement tools, World Bank says
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Corbeau News Centrafrique
Illustrative image · Şeyhmus Kino · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe World Bank says the Central African Republic lacks basic statistical tools to measure poverty, notably because of a lack of recent household surveys. Corbeau News Centrafrique reports that the government disputes data published by international institutions, while Economy Minister Marc Mandaba is cited in the report.
The Central African Republic lacks recent censuses and surveys to measure poverty, according to the World Bank. The latest reliable indicators date back several years, limiting the authorities’ ability to assess households’ living conditions and target aid policies.
The absence of precise geographical data makes it impossible, in particular, to determine which prefectures are most in need of assistance. Administrations also lack recent income statistics to guide the allocation of public funds and international aid, according to the assessment attributed to the World Bank by Corbeau News Centrafrique.
The Central African National Institute of Statistics, responsible for collecting this data, reportedly lacks funding and modern computer equipment, according to the media outlet. The Minister of the Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, Marc Mandaba, described alarming data published by international institutions as “false figures”, reports Corbeau News Centrafrique.
The issue is part of the debate over the political use of poverty, which was already raised on 1 October in an article on accusations of exploiting poverty for electoral purposes.
