Over the last few years, several researchers have challenged African statistics. Among the many examples was the article written by World Bank economist Shantayanan Devarajan in 2013, “Africa’s Statistical Tragedy.” It painted a gloomy picture of African statistics as affected by the lack of capacity of statistical institutions, an unclear administration of responsibilities, a lack of stable state funding, and the destabilising effect of donor funding. This public questioning of public statistics in Africa provoked reactions. Read on