1. The COMSTAT Data Portal
Enhancing the Africa Information Highway
Gabon
16 – 20 November, 2015

2. The COMSTAT Data Portal
Outline:
Introduction
Objective
Statistical Domains covered
Data Sources
Data Update
Data Challenges
Conclusion

3. The COMSTAT Data Portal
Introduction: COMESA Membership
Burundi
Comoros
Congo DR
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Kenya
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sudan
Swaziland
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

4. The COMSTAT Data Portal
What is COMSTAT?
COMesaSTATistics
Online interactive database
Designed to serve as a central repository of all statistical data at
the Secretariat
Designed to disseminate statistics of various domains that are
critical for monitoring the performance of COMESA’s regional
integration program
Initially launched in 2006, to Secretariat staff
2007 opened up to the public and has undergone revisions with support from TMSA and the AfDB

5. Objective The COMSTAT Data Portal
COMSTAT was designed with an overall objective of providing users with online access to the statistical repository database of the Secretariat

6. Statistical Domains covered
The COMSTAT Data Portal
Statistical Domains covered
The statistical domains covered in COMSTAT are:
Merchandise Trade Statistics
Trade in Services Statistics
Statistics on Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
Infrastructure Statistics
Harmonised Consumer Price Index (HCPI)
Trade Integration Indicators
Country Energy Balance

7. Data Sources The COMSTAT Data Portal
NSOs: Trade Statistics and Macroeconomic indicators
COMSTAT/COMTRADE: Trade Integration Indicators/mirror data
MS National Authorities: Infrastructure and Energy Indicators
Central Banks/IMF: FDI and SITS

8. Other Available Resources
The COMSTAT Data Portal
Other Available Resources
Statistical Bulletins and Reports
Statistical Briefs
Country Trade Profiles
Member States Tariffs
Frequently Asked Tables (FATs)
COMESA Statistics Strategy

9. Access to COMSTAT Data Portal
The COMSTAT Data Portal
Access to COMSTAT Data Portal
Access to the COMSTAT Data Portal is free to any one having internet access
The URL for COMSTAT is
The COMSTAT can also be accessed via the main COMESA website at
The Data Portal has a video tutorial for first-time users
The Portal also has a downloadable User Guide

10. Access to COMSTAT The COMSTAT Data Portal The Home page
Window Panels
ODP
In the News
Upcoming Events
Scrolling selected indicators
Tutorial video
User guide
Feedback
Related links
COMESA brief overview
Most popular
Contact us

11. Access to COMSTAT The COMSTAT Data Portal The Dashboards
These show:-
Tables
Maps
Graphs
….. That can be exported to:-
Excel
pdf
PNG or
printed

12. Database Update The COMSTAT Data Portal Trade Statistics:
To be facilitated by monthly trade data files received
from Member States as per the standing SLAs between
most Member States and the COMESA Secretariat
Other Indicators:
e.g macroeconomic, demographic e.t.c entail a commitment from the Directors/coordinating ministries to facilitate the process.

13. Data Context The COMSTAT Data Portal
Member States (MS) capture and process statistical data
MS NSOs submit statistical data to COMESA
Data converted into suitable harmonized format
Harmonized and summarized data uploaded to COMSTAT by COMESA (Seek help for larger uploads from developers)
Updates for IMTS supposedly after 3 months (t+3) when available, Monthly for HCPI, annual for others
Data users the world over query the data portal

14. The Harmonization Process (trade data)
The COMSTAT Data Portal
The Harmonization Process (trade data)
Country codes converted to ISO3166 if not and validated
HS codes trimmed to 6 digits of HS02/07/12 and validated
Trade flows and types validated according to CPCs
Values in national currencies converted to USD
Country file trimmed to structure of COMSUM according to
General Trade System
Country file grouped on coded fields and summed on numeric
Residual data files uploaded to COMSTAT

15. In 2009, a consultant engaged to develop a data validation tool
The COMSTAT Data Portal
The COMSTAT Validation Tool
Above process initially performed manually
In 2009, a consultant engaged to develop a data validation tool
Tool used to validate trade data

16. Data Challenges The COMSTAT Data Portal
Delays/non-compliance to SLA/non response by some MS
Lack of adequate data checking/validation by some MS
High staff turnover/transfers and need to retrain new ones
Poor liaison between MS and Secretariat whenever data updates occur
Inadequate skills for data manipulation/management in some MS
Poor collaboration between NSOs and Revenue Authorities in some MS

17. The COMSTAT Data Portal
Measures (for data challenges)
Continuous engagements with Members States ( s, phone calls etc)
Encourage MS to validate data, we also do in-house checking of data
Continue to offer TA/missions (when resources permit)
Refresher trainings/support
We encourage MS to form TWG and hold stakeholder meetings to share ideas/challenges

18. Conclusion The COMSTAT Data Portal
With additional financial support from the AfDB, a new portal is underway, we hope to see some challenges experienced previously addressed, like uploading of large datasets
Will continue to explore ways of increasing visits to both the DP and the ODP
For regional, comparable and harmonized data, remember to visit:

19. Thank you
Merci