The International Comparison Program (ICP) was a global statistical initiative established in 1970 to produce internationally comparable price and expenditure levels to facilitate cross-country comparisons of GDP and it’s sub-aggregates in real terms and free of price and exchange rate distortions. ICP Africa was not only a source of reliable and policy relevant data; it was also a comprehensive and coherent regional platform for statistical capacities. ICP had both the country-specific and region-wide capacity building elements. In May 2004 the ACBF Executive Board approved a grant of US$ 1 million for ICP Africa.
The program aimed at improving the quality, comparability and consistency of economic data, and establishing and maintaining an up-to-date databank.