This document presents a benchmarking framework for Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) in Africa and beyond, highlighting the critical role of quality data and statistics in higher education. It underscores the development of norms and standards to ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of education statistics, which are essential for effective governance, planning, and accountability within higher education institutions.

The benchmarking framework is intended to help African universities establish comprehensive EMIS in higher education that meet international standards, thereby enhancing their capacity to produce reliable data. The framework includes a set of norms that cover policy and legal frameworks, resource availability, statistical processes, and education information reporting. These norms are designed to guide institutions in improving their data collection, processing, and reporting practices, ultimately supporting better decision-making and strategic planning.

This approach enables African universities to assess their performance against international benchmarks, identify areas for improvement, and adopt best practices from other institutions. The collaborative nature of benchmarking, where institutions share data and insights, is also emphasized as a means to enhance the quality and relevance of education statistics across the continent.