The Namibia Statistics Agency has warned that the country's development goals may be facing an obstacle due to a lack of reliable data.

NSA Executive for Data Quality Assurance, Isak Neema, said critical information needed for planning is outdated, underfunded, or simply not being used.

Dr. Neema was speaking at a high-level regional sensitisation meeting for the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics in Swakopmund.

The executive emphasised that planning a country's future starts with knowing its present, but he believes that foundation is cracking.

"You can't get information if you don't have data." You will never get statistics if our data is, you know, nowhere to be found; it's in shambles."

Dr. Neema stated that up to 85% of the data the government needs for planning already exists, but it is gathering dust, unused or not shared.

He pointed to crime statistics, education records, and administrative data that could guide better decisions ranging from where to build schools to fighting crime.

Major national surveys meant to guide development are also behind schedule.

He noted that the Population and Housing Census was delayed by two years, the Demographic and Health Survey has not been conducted in over a decade, and the last Labour Force Survey was in 2018.

Without updated data on employment, poverty, agriculture, and financial inclusion, Dr. Neema warned that national goals risk becoming guesswork.

The main problem, he said, is funding and coordination, and in some cases, data is handled by non-specialists.

"We as statisticians, we as officials, we as technocrats, are not getting the support we deserve. Many institutions say that. So yes, you have a statistician sitting there in your office or a data analyst in your office, but when the budget comes, it goes around you."

The Erongo Governor Nathalia Goagoses highlighted the role reliable statistics play in planning.

"They will say, 'Build 20 houses in Otjimbingwe.' How? Which source is used to tell us as councillors? These things happen because we do not read, and we do not have a tool to measure, or a comprehensive one backed by scientific data."

Through regional consultations, the NSA is now developing a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics to strengthen coordination and ensure Namibia's decisions are backed by evidence, not assumptions