The data availability landscape in seven sub-Saharan African countries and its role in strengthening sugar-sweetened beverage taxation

ABSTRACT

Background: Credible data and indicators are necessary for country-specific evidence to support the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation.

Objective: A cross-country analysis was undertaken in seven Sub-Saharan African countries to describe the potential role of available data in strengthening SSB taxation. The objectives were to: document currently available data sources; report on public access; discuss strengths and limitations for use in monitoring SSB taxation; describe policy maker's data needs, and propose improvements in data collection.

Methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach involving a secondary data analysis of publicly available documents, and a qualitative exploration of the data needs of policy makers’ using primary data. Findings were synthesised and assessed for data strengths and weaknesses, including usability and availability. SSB taxation-related data availability was critically assessed with respect to adequacy in strengthening taxation policy on SSBs.

Results: Findings showed a paucity of SSB taxation-related data in all seven countries. National survey data are inadequate regarding the intake of SSBs and household expenditure on SSBs. Fiscal data from SSB tax revenue, value added tax from SSB sales, corporate income tax from SSB companies and SSB custom duty revenues, are lacking. Accurate information on the soft drink industry is not easily accessed.

Conclusion: Timely, easily understood, concise, and locally relevant evidence is needed in order to inform policy development on SSBs. The relevant data are drawn from multiple sectors. Cross- sector collaboration is therefore needed. Indicators for SSBs should be developed and included in current data collection tools to ensure monitoring and evaluation for SSB taxation.

Responsible Editor:

• Jennifer Stewart Williams

KEYWORDS:

• Non-communicable disease
• Botswana
• Kenya
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the study participants and those consulted in all countries for their invaluable contributions to this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contribution

Conceptualization: KH, SAK, AE, AMT. Participated in the data collection and analysis: MNW, CR, GA, GA, HA, LG, MM, TN. Drafted the manuscript: AE. All authors reviewed and approved the manuscript for submission.

Ethics and consent

All interviews conducted were subject to human research ethics approvals, from the relevant in-country ethics committee.

Paper context

In the face of the high non-communicable disease burden across Sub-Saharan Africa, sugar-sweetened beverage taxation could have substantial health and economic benefits. Its success requires credible data to inform a strong evidence base. This study enhances the understanding of data availability and missing information required for strengthening sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. This study contributes to knowledge of appropriate design, successful implementation and evaluation of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the International Development Research Center grant [#108648-001]. KH, SAK, AE are supported by South African Medical Research Council/Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science – PRICELESS SA, University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg South Africa [D1305910-03]. The funding source had no role in the conduct of the research.