The COMESA Statistics & Research Unit, in collaboration with Statistics Sweden, through its bilateral projects at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), hosted a three-day RStudio training for COMESA and ZamStats staff from 12–14 August 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. The course is part of a Sida-funded migration statistics capacity development project (2023–2026) involving six Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

RStudio is a leading platform for statistical computing and visualization which is being introduced to COMESA and ZamStats staff members. Participants are learning how to set up RStudio, perform basic data wrangling, and conduct survey analysis.

Facilitated by Mr. Kjell Tambour, Senior Adviser at COMESA from Statistics Sweden, the training aimed at enhancing the availability of quality migration statistics for policymaking. Sessions were conducted in English and featured practical, hands-on lessons. 

This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to strengthening Africa’s statistical capacity for better migration data and informed decision-making.

The training was officially opened Mr. Gabriel Masuku, Director of  Legal and Corporate Affairs at COMESA Secretariat. In his remarks, he noted that the main objective of the course was to build capacity in using RStudio for data analysis, thereby enhancing the harmonization of knowledge between COMESA and its Member States.

In addition, Mr. Wilson Kamali, Head of the COMESA Statistics & Research Unit,  expressed appreciation for the training and the support provided through Statistics Sweden’s bilateral projects, emphasizing that this initiative will contribute to improving the efficiency of statistical work within COMESA and ZamStats.