The Ethiopian Statistical Service (ESS) has announced plans to launch a nationwide Economic Establishment Census in September. The census aims to provide updated information on the country’s business landscape, covering both formal and informal sectors across micro, small, medium, and large enterprises.

ESS Director General Beker Shale (PhD) stated that the census is part of the agency’s Statistical Development Program for the 2016 - 2018 Ethiopian Calendar. The census will apply different methods depending on location, using sample surveys in rural areas and full enumeration in urban areas - to reflect the variation in business activities.

According to ESS, the data will help support policy development, planning, and sectoral strategies. “The census will generate data that can inform decisions across different economic sectors,” Beker said during the launch of the preparatory phase.

Senior Economist Zelalem Getachew noted that reliable data on the size and characteristics of businesses is important for policy formulation, especially in addressing employment and investment planning. He also highlighted the importance of including informal sector data for a more complete economic picture.

The ESS has encouraged collaboration from government institutions, private actors, and communities as it prepares for the data collection. The census is expected to contribute to ongoing economic planning and development efforts.

Source: Capital Ethiopia