Time for Growth (T4G)

Shaping better policies and investments with time use data to improve people’s lives and support economic growth.

A man and a woman wearing hard hats and protective clothing examine industrial machinery in a factory, with the man operating the equipment while the woman observes and holds a tablet.

About the Program

Time use data show how demands on people’s time affect their work, income, and productivity. Across Africa, there is growing interest in using these data to guide policy. Roughly one-third of African countries have carried out at least one time use survey, but these data are still rarely used to inform policy decisions.

The Time for Growth (T4G) Collaborative works with governments to combine time use data and economic analysis to inform better policies and public investments. Starting with priorities identified by ministries of finance and planning, T4G connects policymakers, statistical offices, and researchers. It also helps countries share lessons so others can build on their experience. Open Data Watch (ODW) serves as the Secretariat, coordinating this work and connecting policy priorities with technical expertise.

T4G is supported by the Gates Foundation. Initial implementing partners include the Kenya State Department for Economic Planning (SDEP), Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Uganda Ministry of Finance (MOfPED), Economic Policy Research Centre Uganda (EPRC), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) through its Africa Centre for Statistics (ACS). The collaborative is designed to grow, bringing additional countries and partners together to strengthen how time use evidence informs economic policymaking across Africa.

What We Do

Policy Action

We work with governments to identify policy questions that time use data can help answer. Our work in Kenya and Uganda focuses on health, agriculture, economic planning, and budgeting. By starting with government priorities, we help ensure that time use evidence informs practical decisions about policies and public investments.

Economic Analysis

We combine time use data with economic analysis to show how demands on people’s time affect work, income, and productivity. This evidence helps governments understand the economic value of time and how public investments could affect people’s lives. It also supports policies that promote more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Knowledge Sharing

We connect countries, researchers, and regional and global partners to share knowledge and learn from one another. Working with the UNECA, we are developing an online resource for time use data, research, and practical tools to help countries access evidence and build on each other’s experiences.

Data Improvement

We work with countries to identify gaps in existing time use data and better understand what governments need. Drawing on these experiences, we help develop tools and approaches that make time use data easier to collect, understand, and use. This supports stronger data systems and more effective use of evidence in policymaking.