๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ (๐ ๐ฃ๐) ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ
SADC is hosting the Putting Mobile Phone Data (MPD) to Work for Statistics at Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. The is supported by the World Bank Group started on 19 May 2025 and will end tomorrow on 22 May 2025.
Workshop Coordinators from SADC Secretariat: Deepchandsingh Jagai, Pamela Chirwa and Dr. George Ah-Thew
The workshop is being attended by participants from all the SADC Member States and Sรฃo Tomรฉ and Prรญncipe. The participants are from Ministries of ICT, Regulatory Authorities, National Statistics Organisations (NSOs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and SADC Implementing Agencies namely SATA, CRASA and SAPOA. World Bank Group Consultants, SADC divisions of ICT and Statistics are facilitating the workshop.
Workshop Participants
James Madya, Representative of the Chair of SADC
During the opening session, two senior officials from the SADC Secretariat highlighted the objectives and conceptual framework behind the use of Mobile Phone Data (MPD) to enhance statistical work across the SADC Region. Mr. Deepchandsingh Jagai, Senior Programme Officer for Statistics (first interview), and Dr. George Ah-Thew, Senior Programme Officer for ICT, both emphasised the importance of this innovative initiative. They outlined how leveraging MPD can significantly support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen statistical systems in the region.
Video about the Workshop
The workshop aims to equip SADC Member States with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to integrate Mobile Phone Data (MPDs) into their national data systems. Participants will engage in technical training and group activities to learn how MPD can effectively be used for policy applications and to generate high-resolution statistics for policy development. The workshop will also address the integration of MPD into policy frameworks governing regional statistics and specific implementation plans.
Hosted with the objective of enhancing statistical capacity across the region, the workshop is focused on demonstrating the practical value of MPD and its potential for transforming the production and analysis of official statistics.
The key discussion topics during workshop include:
Population Statistics and Mobility Analysis: This session explores how MPD can be utilised to track and analyse population movements and demographic trends, offering real-time insights that complement traditional statistical sources.
Socio Economic Applications of MPD: Presentations and case studies illustrate the application of mobile phone data in various socio-economic domains, such as urban planning, transportation, health surveillance, and disaster response.
Introduction to Call Detail Records CDRs): Participants are introduced to the structure, components, and analytical potential of Call Detail Records, which are central to most MPD analyses.
Partnerships, Governance, MoUs and Data Sharing Arrangements: This session emphasises the importance of establishing robust institutional frameworks and legal agreements for accessing and using MPD, highlighting best practices for public-private partnerships and ethical considerations.
Overview of the MPD Maturity Framework: A comprehensive model is presented to help countries assess their readiness and maturity in adopting MPD within their national statistical operations, providing a roadmap for gradual and sustainable integration.
Group Work and Practical Exercises: Participants engage in collaborative tasks and scenario-based exercises that simulate real-world applications, encouraging peer learning and the development of country-specific action plans.
Pamela Chirwa, Project Coordinator of the SADC Regional Statistics Project
The workshop represents a significant step forward for the SADC region in embracing innovative data sources and technologies to improve the accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of statistics.
The workshop is attended by government officials from the ICT sector, ICT National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), NSOs, and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), SADC ICT Implementing Agencies, as well as representatives from implementing partners including the World Bank Group, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) and the World Bankโs Global Data Facility โ Mobile Phone Data Programme (Partnership includes WBG institutional partners from Development Economics, Poverty, and Digital Transformation, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
