What is MASEDA?

The Malawi Socio-Economic Database (MASEDA) is a database that allows users to retrieve data on
human development indicators in the country and present the information in different formats including
tables, graphs and maps.

MASMASEDA is a monitoring tool developed by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in collaboration with the
United Nations in Malawi. MASEDA is the national indicator database that presents data on development
results in the country.

The software promotes common understanding across development stakeholders of the progress towards
the achievement of the objectives of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) and the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and therefore better planning for accelerating efforts.

When was it started?

The development of MASEDA started in November 2001 when the National Statistical Office developed
the first version of MASEDA 1.0 with 147 key socio-economic indicators.

The updated MASEDA 2.0 was launched in November 2004. This was based on the new DevInfo software. The UN Development Group adopted the DevInfo software as the platform for national indicator databases worldwide and is now used in more than 90 countries.

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What is MASEDA 3.0?

MASEDA 3.0 is a new improved version of the database providing a comprehensive overview of human,
social and economic development in Malawi. MASEDA 3.0 contains over 600 indicators - MGDS
indicators, MDG indicators and sector-specific indicators. It includes user-friendly presentation of data in
the form of tables, graphs and maps. The software can also produce presentations of trends over time
with a focus on outcomes and impact.

The new features will enable more evidence-based policy planning and monitoring based. These include the powerful new Map Wizard that shows more than one indicator at a time on the same map. It can produce map insets and generate maps with time series. Thematic maps can be projected onto satellite maps and include features such as roads or health posts to extract more information and make better decisions. Separate maps for each district with TA boundaries are available in this new version.

In addition to software enhancements, MASEDA 3.0 has data on indicators derived from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2006), Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS 2004), Integrated Household Survey (IHS 2004-5) and other sources. The indicators are organized in line with the national priorities as elaborated in MGDS, MDGs, etc.

Who uses MASEDA?

MASEDA is accessible to all development planners or other users who need comprehensive data on all sectors of Malawi. It is an essential tool for monitoring and planning especially for policy makers and development planners. Institutional users include government ministries and departments, assemblies, educational and research institutions, development partners, private organizations, civil societies and media.

What is monitoring?

Monitoring is a continuous process of collecting and analyzing data to measure the performance and impact of a policy, strategy or programme against set targets and goals.
A performance indicator is a quantitative or qualitative measure to verify achievements in specific development interventions, including economic, social and environmental targets.

What is the role of the United Nations?

GlobalGlobally, the United Nations supports governments to achieve their national development objectives and achieve the Millennium Development Goals through nationally owned strategies. Monitoring progress in achieving the MDGs is an important element. MASEDA enables efficient monitoring of the national development strategy.

MASEDA is supported by the UN System in Malawi as an integral component of the national Monitoring and Evaluation Road Map. Since 2006, various activities such as MASEDA user trainings have been supported through a three-year Joint Programme
on Monitoring and Evaluation.

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What is the objective of the Joint M&E Programme?

The Joint Programme on Monitoring and Evaluation aims to strengthen the M&E systems at national, sector, district and community levels. The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development coordinates and implements the programme in close collaboration with National Statistical Office, Office of the President and Cabinet, sector ministries, assemblies, civil society organizations and local communities. In addition to Government support, funding is provided through a basket fund with contributions from the UN System, the EU and GTZ and parallel funding from donors such as USAID and DFID.

What are some achievements of the Joint M&E Programme?

M&E Officers have been recruited in all 40 Assemblies and majority of them have undergone MASEDA user training. Coordination mechanisms are being strengthened at national and district levels. M&E capacities are being improved within sector ministries. A pilot to promote community-based M&E will start soon.

What are opportunities for MASEDA?

MASEDA provides easy access to development indicators in health, education, agriculture, HIV and AIDS and other sectors. A web-based MASEDA is already available (www.maseda.info). Using MASEDA will enable improved planning and prioritizing of development efforts in Malawi. MASEDA for example enables comparison of how districts are progressing in all social and economic sectors.

All senior decision-makers in Government and development stakeholders should be encouraged to use MASEDA so that national efforts are properly coordinated.

All sectors should release and make available electronically their sectoral data to NSO for uploading into MASEDA so that it has current data on all sectors to ensure an integrated approach in all development efforts.

For more information contact:
National Statistical Office
MASEDA Unit
maseda@malawi.net
www.maseda.info