Despite a steady uptick in Africa’s economic growth, poverty levels remain high. Work to find an answer to this paradox has led to collaboration between the economic commission for Africa (ECA) and African states, to develop the African social development index (ASDI). The implementation of the ASDI will require African countries to provide various aspects of national data such as economic and market integration and access to productive resources, although availability of this data still remains a challenge in Kenya, thus hampering transparency in the development sector.  Plans to promote equitable development and access to infrastructure are expected to get a boost from the ASDI which will from now on is a complementary tool used by the ministry of planning.