# **Forging a Social Contract for Data**

The note has detailed the data challenge rampant in the region. Bridging the MENA gap requires a multipronged approach to develop sustainable data ecosystems. Where governments lack capacity to generate data, investments are needed to build capacity. Where governments are unwilling to share data, agreements and understanding need to be developed in concert with a clear agenda highlighting the benchmarks of good data ecosystems and the crucial role of data in generating good policies and social harmony. And when important topics are under-researched in the region and require specific data, investments could be made for one-off data collection activities to set up a baseline of knowledge in the region. There is also the promise of digital technologies. If data and digital technologies are combined effectively, there is scope to improve vital services and allow for policies that consider feedback from citizens and businesses. These are key aspects of strengthening the social contract between the state and its citizens.

The 2021 World Development Report on Data for Better Lives calls for a new social contract on data around the world. This is much needed in the MENA region. This is only possible through the existence of an enabling environment. Such an enabling environment has several components. It consists of a mix of legal “safeguards” - ensuring protection of personal data and cybersecurity; and “enablers” that include e- transactions, open data and access to information. Independent, capable, and well-resourced institutions are needed to enforce laws effectively. Part of the process is building the right infrastructure and harmonizing technical standards. The trust engendered could incentivize people and firms to participate in the data economy. To ensure effective and active participation, data literacy and the capacity of civil servants and the broader population will have to be scaled. The evolving social contract also includes the responsible use and reuse of data for development purposes, built on trust that encourages individuals and firms to contribute that essential data. When used in an effective and trustworthy way, data and digital technologies effectively can be crucial enablers for improving service delivery, the accuracy of decisionmaking, fighting corruption, and increasing transparency.

There are important roles for governments, the private sector and civil society to enable data to create value. Governments play a key role in developing strategies and rules to govern data, with input from civil society and the private sector. Governments also play a key role in producing the data and statistics to inform about developmental progress. The private sector’s role as a producer and user of data is also vital to enable the region to compete within the global digital economy. For that to happen, bottlenecks must be removed to enable access to quality and freely available traditional data sources such as surveys and censuses with open licenses for reuse. Investments in the production of statistics are much needed. There needs to be strong commitment to traditional data (which the WDR 2021 terms “public intent data”) – the kind of data that is used for public good, that improves service delivery and that measures progress specifically for the most vulnerable. This kind of data holds governments accountable and has the potential to empower individuals and groups in fragile and conflict-affected settings where traditional micro data has been sorely lacking. Empowering civil society organizations and academia to research and advocate for the better use of data and the protection of data rights may increase trust in the data economy.

International institutions such as the World Bank can play an important role in developing a social contract around data. One way forward for the World Bank, especially with improving traditional sources of data, would be to create a Statistics Compact for the region.<sup>6</sup> The goal of the Statistics Compact is twofold: (i) close the microdata gap (data collection and sharing) and (ii) invest in statistical modernization. The Statistics Compact would support investments in a minimum set of microdata sets comprising of population

> 6 <u>https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/scaling-support-official-statistics-middle-east-and-north-africa-mena-datacompact</u>

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