A few words
About Us
History
We started in 2009 in Durban, South Africa at the 57th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI).
We are Young Africans in Africa and in the diaspora who are:
- Demographers, statisticians, demographers, population scientists, geographers, data scientists, environmental scientists, development economists and scholars of the host of disciplines that drive data for evidence-based planning and policy-making in Africa
- Young Africans learning from our elders and mentors, waiting to take over the baton of responsibility for knowledge-driven, data-driven, research-driven development in Africa
- Young scientists who want to be part of the solution, part of the engagement, part of the conversation on a better Africa by the Year 2063
- Remain indebted to Statistics South Africa for the foundation laid to make YASA today’s new reality for Young African Statisticians
- Professionals, students, and researchers. We are the African thought leaders of tomorrow
We have grown since 2008 when the seed was first planted to develop young African statisticians. Today we are an independent, registered non-profit organization (volunteer association) called the Young African Statisticians Association (YASA)
Our vision: To be a leading multidisciplinary African association in capacity building and empowerment of Young African statisticians and demographers through education, training, and research.
Our Mission: To empower and build the statistical, administrative, and research capacity of young statisticians and early career researchers in Africa through education, training, and research on public health, development, demography/population, administrative leadership, and management.
Leadership Team
Ms. Dorcas Kareithi (Kenya)
President
Dorcas Kareithi is statistician with the Biostatistics Research Group at Newcastle University UK, and the cofounder of Jasiri Cancer Research Foundation Kenya. She holds a MSc. in Biometry/Biostatistics from the University of Nairobi and a BSc. in Economics and Mathematics, Kabarak University.
Dorcas has over a decade of experience in the health industry as an analyst, researcher and epidemiological consultant, working with several organizations in Africa and abroad to develop, implement and evaluate health products and services.
She was previously a Head of Research (Research Design and Analysis) at CcHUB Africa -Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and a Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: KENYA. Her research interests include, Cancer Research, Routinely Collected Data
Dr. Felix Mamba (eSwatini)
Vice President
Dr Felix holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science (University of the Western Cape, South Africa). He is a senior lecturer (University of Eswatini, Department of Geography, Environmental Science & Planning) and a former coordinator of the ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: SWAZILAND.
His research interests include Climate Change and climate variability; climate-smart agriculture, Food Security, Urban Agriculture and urban livelihoods; climate-induced displacement and migration; and Development and environmental studies.
Dr. Naomi Setshegetso (Botswana)
SECRETARY GENERAL
- Holds a Ph.D. in Economics (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
- Senior Lecturer (Department of Economics, University of Botswana)
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: BOTSWANA
- Research interests include, Microeconomics, Health Economics, Health Financing
Mr. Alex Keza (Burundi)
Deputy Secretary- General: Francophone Portfolio
Axel is a young Burundian statistician committed to civic engagement and promoting the role of statistics in society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Lake Tanganyika University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Technology and Management University. He is completing a Master’s in Biostatistics at the University of Abomey-Calavi.
He has held several leadership roles in student and professional organisations, including President of the Club Statistique at Lake Tanganyika University. He currently serves as Deputy Secretary General for the Francophone region of the Young African Statisticians Association (YASA), a member of the Executive Committee of APROSTAB, and National Coordinator of YASA Burundi. Axel also contributes to research initiatives and capacity-building activities, including training on data collection using Kobo Toolbox.
Dr. Alia A. Amer (Egypt)
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 1: Arab portfolio
Dr Alia is a demographic expert with a PhD in African and Demo-Geographical Studies from Cairo University. They serve as a researcher, lecturer, and Head of the Equal Opportunities Unit at the Cairo Demographic Centre (CDC). She has authored several scientific books focusing on demography, gender, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Demographic Applications at the Faculty of Graduate Studies for Statistical Research, Cairo University, and also contributes to the Strategic Forum for Peace. Her professional affiliations extend internationally, including membership in the Union of Arab Statisticians in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
She represents North African countries in the African Union for Population Studies (UAPS), where she is also part of the Gender Committee, and serves as the representative of the Young African Statisticians Association (YASA) for the Arabic Portfolio. Previously, she worked as a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, and served as the Coordinator of the ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter in Egypt.
Her research interests focus on gender, migration, and the labour force.
Dr. Justin Dansou (Benin)
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 2: french portfolio
- Holds a Ph.D. in Reproductive Health (University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
- Assistant-Professor of Demography (School of Statistics, Planning and Demography, University of Parakou, Benin)
- Previously a Research Assistant (Training and Research) at Institute of Demographic Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: BENIN
- Research interests include, Population and Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Education, Nutrition, Youth Inclusion and Family Transformation
Ms. Maphoka Qhobela (Lesotho)
TREASURER
- Holds a Masters in Applied Statistics (University of the Free State, South Africa) & currently a Ph.D. student in statistics (University of the Free State, South Africa)
- Research Assistant, Center for Teaching and Learning (University of the Free State, South Africa) and Independent Tutor: Rosebank College
- Previously a Lecturer at Rosebank College. Lecturer at National University of Lesotho. LePHIA regional coordinator.
- Former Coordinator of ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: LESOTHO
- Research interests include, HIV/ AIDS among youth and health statistics, Multivariate Analysis
Mr. Cavin Tolman (South Africa)
EXECUTIVE: OPERATIONs
- Holds a Higher Diploma in Statistics (Ecole Nationale Superieure de Statistiques et d’Economie Appliquee Cote d’Ivoire) and Certificate of Statistical Theory & Application (India)
- Assistant Statistical Officer (Statistics South Africa)
- Previously a Teaching assistant and Tutor at various schools (South Africa),
- Former ISIbalo programme coordinator (Stats SA)
- Research interests include, Migration, Immigration Patterns and the demand on health services in SA
Dr. Sean Sithole (Zimbabwe)
EXECUTIVE: marketing and COMMUNICATION
Dr Sean Holds a PhD in Development Studies (University of the Western Cape, South Africa). He is a research Fellow (University of the Western Cape, South Africa): Projects supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) and Remitting for Resilience (R2): Mi FOOD (Migration and Food Security in the Global South) network. He is also a Balsillie Scholar: Technology Governance Initiative, Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA), Canada and a Research Affiliate/Fellow: International Migration Research Centre (IMRC), Canada.
His previous research and collaborative work (supported by or conducted in collaboration with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA), United Nations agencies, and the European Commission).
He is a former EXCO member and Coordinator of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), and ISIbalo Young Statisticians Country Chapter: ZIMBABWE. His research interests include digital remittances, financial technology (Fintech), mobile transfers, the synergies between international migration, the COVID-19 pandemic and urban food security, the nexus between social media and migrant networks, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change and the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in development.
Dr. Edmond Sanou (Cameroon)
EXECUTIVE: membership and STAKEHOLDER management
Edmond Sanou is a statistician with a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Université Évry Paris-Saclay. His research focuses on statistical and machine learning methods for complex datasets, with applications to multi-omics and biological data. He is currently a Research and Teaching Assistant at AIMS Cameroon.
Ms Lyne Nziza (Burundi)
Executive: Capacity Building Programmes
Lyne Nziza is a data analyst with over a decade of experience in statistical analysis, data management and research, primarily in the field of research for development. She has worked for more than ten years with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the German Federal Institute on Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) on mineral traceability in the Great Lakes Region.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in applied Statistics from the National University of Rwanda and has pursued additional training in statistical evaluation with R, data visualization, and database systems management. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven solutions to promote sustainable development.
Ms Sarah Mutheu (Kenya)
Executive: Strategy and Research Programmes
Mutheu is a Researcher and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) professional with experience in data-driven programming, systems change and evidence generation in humanitarian and development contexts. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where she studied Economics and Statistics, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science at the University of East London.
Mutheu currently serves as MEL Manager, Field Building and Systems Change at Refuge Point, where she supports the generation and use of evidence to strengthen programs and inform strategic decision-making. Mutheu is passionate about leveraging data and research to strengthen decision-making, amplify community voices, and advance equitable and sustainable solutions across the continent.
