In a strategic move to future-proof its data governance and economic planning systems, The Gambia has turned to Ghana for inspiration—sending a high-level delegation to study the country’s advanced use of Big Data and mobile phone data in national statistics.
Led by officials from the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the delegation visited Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) in Accra to explore practical ways of integrating non-traditional data sources into public policy and regulatory frameworks.
The visit was facilitated by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), which has become a regional frontrunner in digital data innovation. Dr. Peter Takyi Peprah, Director for Methods and Standards at the GSS, said Ghana’s progress is rooted in its proactive cross-sector collaboration, a model that can be replicated to strengthen data-driven decision-making across West Africa.
NCA’s Deputy Director General, Suleman Salifu, welcomed the delegation, noting that effective digital transformation hinges on both access to reliable data and strong privacy safeguards. “You cannot build a thriving digital economy without public trust,” he said. “Partnerships like these are critical to ensure innovation is both impactful and responsible.”
Speaking on behalf of the Gambian team, PURA Deputy Director General Solo Sima praised the NCA’s forward-looking regulatory approach and its openness in sharing operational models. He noted that Ghana’s experience offers valuable lessons as The Gambia seeks to modernize its regulatory and statistical frameworks in line with its broader digital transformation agenda.
Discussions between the two sides covered data governance models, privacy safeguards, inter-agency coordination, and the evolving role of communications regulators in facilitating data-sharing agreements between telecom providers and national statistical offices.
The engagement forms part of a broader trend among African nations to leverage Big Data and emerging technologies for smarter governance, improved public services, and enhanced economic planning.
