The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), has launched the Economic Commission of Africa's (ECA) Country Profiles for 20 African nations, covering not only economic and social performance, but also analysis of the most pressing transformational issues and policies.

Giovanie Biha, ECA Deputy Executive Secretary, said that "in the long run, country profiles would be used as a tool through which the ECA will monitor the pace of structural transformation on the continent".

The profiles cover the following countries: in Central Africa: Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo and São Tomé and Príncipe; in East Africa: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda; in North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, and Sudan; in Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia; and in Western Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Senegal.

The ECA believes that country profiles will assist member states to take more control of their own developmental narratives, putting them in a better position to make evidence-based policy decisions.

They are also intended to assist countries to identify niches for transformation.

The ECA will update the country profiles on a quarterly basis, working with national statistical agencies and think tank organizations, as well as other institutions and leaders on the continent.

By 2017, all African states will be covered by the survey.

The analysis uses statistics and national data collected from credible domestic sources such as central banks, relevant ministries and others, in line with the push to build Africa's statistical capacity and credibility.

The data reflects five years of analysis, from 2010 to 2015, with as much information collected in this time-frame as possible, although not all categories or years are covered in every instance.

Estimates are made for 2015 figures, with projections for 2016.

Given that more than 60% of Africa's population still works in agriculture, the country profiles provide broad coverage of this sector.

The reports highlight the importance of accelerated structural change and they focus on the need to shift resources out of traditional agricultural into higher value-added activities in manufacturing and services, while not neglecting the importance of modernizing the agricultural sector itself.

The ECA Country Profiles were launched during the African Development Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.