AERC 2021-2025

In line with the strategic plan, the following is an update of progress made in the fiscal year 2023/2024: Improvement of quality and efficiency of the research program - Improved communication with all researchers by holding pre-and post- biannual online meetings; - All comments sent out within 2 weeks of the completion of biannual and about 90% of all revised research papers received by end of February for June biannual; - Mandatory proposal guideline prepared and uploaded in RMS; - Careful vetting and intensive mentoring (80% rejection; 20% shortlisted for intensive proposal writing workshop in April 2024) Improved synergy between collaborative and thematic research The collaborative research programmes are tailored for middle and senior researchers addressing topical development issues of the day. During the year under review, the AERC implemented, at different stages, a total of 19 projects that address the current global economic priorities for Africa and other regions. Thematic Research The AERC thematic research modality of learning-by-doing research remains a key avenue for enhancing the pool of locally based economists in sub-Saharan Africa with improved skills and competencies to conduct economic policy-relevant research. Strengthening Technical Capacity The AERC continues to improve the skills and capacity of the individual researchers to carry out relevant policy research and to influence policy action. In this area, 5 technical workshops were conducted. Improved quality and delivery of university-graduate level economics curriculum Several activities were undertaken to ensure that quality and delivery of the Collaborative Masters Programme in Economics (CMAP), the Collaborative Masters in Agricultural and Applied Economics (CMAAE) and the Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) at partner universities improves and keeps up with global standards. There have been inconsistencies in the attainment of gender equality across the universities. Whereas award of scholarships is within the control of the AERC and progress towards attaining gender parity has been significantly realized, enrolment of students at the respective universities is not. This implies that every effort towards realizing gender equality in enrolment of students should be in partnership with the universities. An in-depth gender analysis is planned to be undertaken with support from Sida and the Nordic Consulting Group (NCG), to identify supply bottlenecks that result to few women enrolling. The outcome of the survey on gender will inform the measures to be undertaken to mainstream gender in the AERCs programmes and partnering universities. Capacity Building outcomes - 27 collaborative research framework and country case studies published in internationally referred journals. - 5 thematic and graduate students research papers published in internationally referred journals. - 4 thematic research papers generated from broader themes of collaborative research. - 35 early career researchers conducting thematic research. - 35 senior researchers participating in AERC research. - University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal - admitted into CPP as Non-Host Degree awarding university. - University of Pretoria, South Africa - admitted into CPP as Non-Host Degree awarding university. Improved collaboration with economic policy decision-making institutions During the period under review, the AERC partnered with several institutions of governments, foundations, non-state actors and regional institutions to jointly undertake policy research to inform policy on the continent. 1. National level: Background research to inform the Kenyan tax reform; Africa Policy Dialogues (INCLUDE) 2. Continental engagement: AEC (AfDB, UNDP and UNECA); 2024 AfDB annual meetings; UNDP AUDA-NEPAD Technical Advisory Group; Africa in G20; The African Think Tank Summit (ACBF). 3. International : IMF, Climate & Development Taskforce; Climate finance & Debt; SDR and IDA replenishment; IMF Taskforce on Debt burden, public spending, & climate change Gender Mainstreaming An in-depth gender analysis and gender audit of the AERC as an organization and of its core activities (research, graduate training, and policy outreach) was conducted in September 2022 by the Secretariat with the support of the Nordic Consulting Group (NCG) appointed by the AERCs funding partner, Sida. A report of the audit was produced and an action plan developed. A Gender Working Group comprising 9 members from all the units within the AERC Secretariat was established in June 2023, with the main mandate to champion gender mainstreaming within the institution and in activities undertaken with various stakeholders. The Group is responsible for further development of the AERC gender action plan and the oversight of the implementation of the action plan. A two-day training on mainstreaming gender for all the AERC staff was conducted on 25-26 September 2023. The workshop was part of the AERC gender action plan and aimed to contribute to an overall deeper understanding of gender concepts, how to promote gender equality both at the AERC Secretariat and in the operations of the AERC. During the workshop, the AERC team reviewed the status of gender mainstreaming at the AERC and identified some of the priority areas in the coming years. The AERCs future interventions will gradually build from lessons from current and past activities with the aim of closing the gender gap. The team has prioritized the conducting of a survey study on women economists in Africa in early 2024/25 to understand the root causes of low women's participation in doctoral studies, research and leadership roles as lead authors, resource persons, steering committees, among others. This is expected to inform interventions to be undertaken during the next strategic plan period to mainstream gender in all programmatic activities and policies. In addition, a gender review will be conducted of key policies and guidelines of the AERC to ensure that they are more gender responsive. Given the prominence of sex and gender-based analysis in research, the AERC will engage a team of gender experts to develop a common course to be offered to all its masters and doctoral students at the JFE/SFSE. The AERC also intends in the next review of its masters and PhD courses to infuse gender studies and analysis where applicable. Teaching faculty retooling workshops will be organized and conducted to enlighten teaching faculty and supervisors on integrating gender dimension in both teaching and research. Affirmative action in the award of scholarships to qualified female students will continue to be applied as well as application of female/family-friendly policies. In addition, under the collaborative research, the AERC has made strides in ensuring both the studies and project steering committee has representation from both male and female. Several studies have also been conducted in the fragile and post conflict states as well as ensured that a gender component has been integrated into research through conducting specialized gender mainstreaming workshops as well as having gender specialists in the projects. The AERC will target to build a fund for women-only scholarships with the aim of achieving a critical pool of women researchers, teaching faculties, policy analysts and leaders in various institutions. Expand Influence 27 Research papers produced and distributed/ disseminated. 59 Policy briefs in both French and English produced and posted on the website. 73 Working Papers for Framework papers and Country Case Studies produced. Promotional materials produced include: forty-eight (48) weekly updates and 186 digital campaigns. Three quarterly AERC newsletter. All publications were uploaded on the website and effectively promoted through a combination of Social Media, AERC Updates and AERC Insight Hence the increase in posting, dissemination and reach. Challenges The changing funding global environment experienced over the current strategic planning period has continued to be a challenge for the AERC. Slow funding commitments and increasing competition for resources from funding partners. The shifting of funding priorities by partners to support targeted research projects rather than long-term capacity building initiatives (Masters and PhD scholarship support). Over reliance of the AERC support by several partnering universities to implement their graduate programmes. With the dwindling funding support for scholarships and low or no enrolment of privately sponsored students, several partnering universities have been unable to mount their programmes. Low enrolment of women in the research and graduate training programmes as well as integration of gender studies in the curricula. Opportunities New opportunities of funding targeted towards research activities related to the research that influence policy while partnering with various governments as well as new strategic partnerships with like-minded institutions on the pandemic. Integration of gender in studies by conducting gender mainstreaming workshops for the researchers within the region. The virtual approach of delivery of the training programmes has helped to reduce costs of delivery of the JFE/SFSE and enhanced inclusivity irrespective of categorization of universities. Using e-learning platforms, the collaborative training model can further be expanded to include partnerships with universities across the globe that offer During the year 2022/23 research and training activities were implemented in line with the five-year strategic plan period. The strategic plan focuses on transforming AERCs capacity building model to strengthen research output quality and utilize the collaborative research model to push and signal quality of thematic research projects for younger researchers entering the AERC network and for the vast network of researchers, faculty, students, and policymakers. STRATEGIC THEME 1 - IMPROVE QUALITY At the end of the strategic period, the AERC anticipates achieving the following three key outcomes whose progress will be tracked periodically against set targets: 1.1 Improved enabling environment for high-quality policy-oriented research 1.2 Improved researchers capability and dissemination capacity 1.3 Improved quality of graduate students To that end, during the year, the AERC engaged in a total of 18 collaborative research projects: 1. AERC-ERF Disruptive Technologies Project Informed by accelerations in technological progress over the last few decades that are affecting the future of work across the globe. The AERC commissioned country case studies in four SSA countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa). Five policy briefs and five AERC working papers published from the project were presented at a hybrid regional policy forum in September 2022 in Nairobi where over 20 policy makers attended in person and about 200 virtually. 2. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Livelihoods in Africa Jointly implemented by the AERC and Oxfam, with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and comprises country case studies conducted in six African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia. The final review workshop was held at the end of March 2022, followed by a policy brief training workshop in May 2022. All papers from this project have been published as AERC working papers and policy briefs. Two of the papers have been published in refereed journals while the remaining 4 are going through the review process. 3. Inclusive Finance in Fragile and Post Conflict States in Africa A hybrid Policy Brief training workshop was held in May 2022 in Nairobi. This was followed by in-country dissemination workshops. The papers are under review for publication in a special issue journal of the Review of Development Economics. 4. Building Policy Research Institutions to Support Human Capital in Africa This BMGF-funded collaborative research project covers seven SSA countries - Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda, where the AERC is collaborating with eight national think tanks in these countries to deliver on African policy research institutions country case studies in terms of generating ideas for policy analysis and research as well as conducting various policy engagement activities geared towards influencing public policy and practices in government and private sector. To ensure that the researchers produce a paper of high quality and publishable in highly ranked international journals, a hybrid master class to build capability for advanced research was held for both think tanks and individual country case study researchers in July 2022 in Nairobi. 5. Advancing Digital Financial Services for the Poor in the East African Community Region The project seeks to build a facility that leverages AERC's network of institutions and policy outreach as well as (a) Study and detail financial inclusion and market development in the East African region that can be used to advance knowledge base and policy drive for SSA economies and (b) Characterize financial market developments as well as electronic payments interoperability for lessons that can guide policy drive. The AERC conducted a gender and mainstreaming technical workshop in July 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda to build the researchers capacity to integrate gender into research and policy. Framework papers are under consideration for publication as a AERC book volume. 6. Re-Examining the Growth, Poverty, Inequality and Redistribution Relationships in Africa Examined how the growth-poverty-inequality nexus in sub-Saharan Africa is affected by redistributive policies and strategies. 7. Addressing Health Financing Gaps and Vulnerabilities in Africa due to the COVID-19 Pandemic This AERC-SIDA collaborative research project aims to examine the multidimensional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic starting from the macroeconomic tremors it has already caused, and tracing them to the household and individual levels, with a focus on the health and healthcare for poor and vulnerable populations. The final review workshop for the framework phase was held in May 2022. 8. Climate Change and Economic Development in Africa The project was launched in December 2019 with support from NORAD with the goal to radically improve the capability of the continent (and its policy makers) to confront climate and environmental change, and leverage the opportunities they present, as it confronts its development challenges. All the 14 country case study papers have been published as AERC working Papers with 10 of these being published in the Sustainability journal and 1 in World Development Perspectives journal. 9. Climate Change and Central Banking in Africa The AERC, with funding from Boston Universitys Global Development Policy Center, is undertaking a study on climate change and central banking in Africa. This is an offshoot to the Climate Change and Economic Development in Africa (CCEDA) project with the South African Reserve Bank and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) taking the lead, while the AERC is working with the IMF and Boston University. Under this collaboration, the AERC will write three-four papers over a 2-year period and engage in collective meetings with other members of the Task Force to advance collective and individual policies toward a development centred climate agenda at the International Monetary Fund. 10.Value Chain Development, Trade and Economic Transformation in Africa The project aims to explore global and regional value chains development dynamics in terms of upgrading opportunities for African countries and the development policy implications and imperatives for economic transformation. The final workshop for the framework phase was held virtually in April 2022. 11.African Public Service Delivery Index This project is funded by the Ford foundation and seeks to conduct a survey in Africa to build a composite indicator (PSDI) that covers the full stream of public services that can help to enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery across all the sectors in Africa. 12.Data Governance and Policy in Africa Phase II The AERC has commenced implementation of the Data Governance and Policy in Africa Phase II titled The Political Economy and Institutional Structure of Data Policy and Governance in Africa: Opportunities, Challenges and Risks. Calls for Framework Papers and Country Case Studies were circulated in January 2023, attracting 19 proposals. The inception workshop will be held in June 2023 for shortlisted 16 proposals. 13.Exploring the Impacts of the War in Ukraine on Lower Income Countries The objective of this joint collaborative study between AERC, ERF and Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) is to examine the macroeconomic channels, impacts, and potential responses to the Russian-Ukrainian War (RUW) shock both in the short to medium run and in the long run under alternative scenarios of the shocks size and duration. 14.Evidence to Drive Reforms for SDR Financing in SSA Economic Recovery Explores Special Drawing Rights financing, to facilitate the dissemination of that research to policymakers and the public, and strengthen the capacity of African policy research institutions. 15.PROPEL Health The AERC in partnership with Palladium US Group and funding from the USAID is implementing a project 'PROPEL Health in Botswana' in 2023. The PROPEL Health project in Botswana will focus on Human Resources for Health (HRH) with interest in labour market assessment for health care system and capacity building through the Ministry of Health (Policy and Planning Department) and the Ministry of Finance. 16.Policy Analysis for Sustainable and Healthy Foods in African Retail Markets In October 2022, AERC signed a project grant with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to implement the Policy Analysis for Sustainable and Healthy Foods in African Retail Markets (PASHFARM) project. The project utilizes lessons learnt in the project, Agricultural and Food Policies Analysis for Nutrition Outcomes (AFPON) and focuses on frontiers in nutritious foods research revolving around the food environment, the roles of markets, pricing, affordability, and access to nutritious foods by households in sub-Saharan Africa. 17. The AERC World Bank Kenya Analytical Program on Forced Displacement The World Bank, in collaboration with the AERC, is implementing a thematic research project - KAP-FD. The project is to promote empirical research on forced displacement in Kenya utilizing selected datasets. The target of the project are graduates with Master's degree or PhD students studying Economics, Sociology, Demography, Migration or closely related courses, enrolled in Kenyan Universities. The broad themes of the project are: employment and livelihoods, education, migration and social cohesion, vulnerability and resilience to shocks gender, age, and diversity. 18. Domestic Resource Mobilization: Tax Reforms in Kenya The work on domestic resource mobilization is one among other several research projects planned to be undertaken in a 3-year phase commencing in July 2023. This is a collaborative research work between the AERC and the University of Copenhagen-Development Economics Research Group (UCPH-DERG), supported by the Danish Government, to assist the Republic of Kenya in policy framing and decision making. Improved incentives for thematic and collaborative research The thematic research features the biannual research workshop which is the main vehicle for peer review process intended to maintain and yield high quality research output on topical African economic development issues. The AERC held the June 2022 biannual research workshop virtually with the concurrent and technical sessions featuring presentation of 80 reports (38 thematic research proposals, 16 interim reports, 22 final reports and 4 CPP best chapter papers from PhD thesis). In total, 110 researchers (of whom 4 were CPP students) drawn from 23 African countries and 81 thematic resource persons were in attendance. There were 26 women (24%) among the participating researchers. Out of the 110 thematic researchers and CPP students, 53 (48%) were from 10 Francophone countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo DR, Côte dIvoire, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo) and 1 (0.01%) from Lusophone (Mozambique). With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually abating, the AERC held the first hybrid biannual research workshop at the end of November 2022 in Nairobi. The 56th plenary session was held virtually on May 30, 2022, on the theme Poverty, growth, redistribution, and social inclusion in times of COVID-19 pandemic in Africa with a total of 309 participants in attendance. The session provided a forum for updating researchers on innovations in their disciplines, and for deepening thematic areas through paper presentations, keynote address and/or policy round table discussions. Strengthening Technical Capacity The AERC continues to improve the skills and capacity of individual researchers to carry out policy relevant research and influence policy through technical research workshops and visiting scholars exchange and mentorship programmes. Technical Workshops were held on "Regulations on Agent Banking and Digital Financial Services"; "Agent-Based Modeling of Educational and Social Systems Technical Workshop"; "Summer Master Class on Advanced Research Methods"; and "BMGF Technical Workshop for Thematic Researchers". Important to note is the attendance of three AERC thematic researchers at the Centre for the Study of African Economic (CSAE) Conference at St. Catherine College, Oxford University in the UK from 19 -21 March 2023. The AERC special session was themed 'Financial Development, Industrialization, Migration, and Productivity in SSA'. Three papers were presented at the conference by the AERC researchers. Exchenge programmes included the the Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship programme, a collaboration of the AERC, Cornell University (USA) and University of Sussex (UK) which sponsored 6 research fellows for the year 2022/23. Also, the AERC/World Bank visiting scholars programmes resumed. The programme started in January 2023 for the period 2022/2023 with two researchers being competitively selected to participate. Institutional Attachment Grants were awarded to a total of 12 think tank and individual researchers under the BMGF/AERC Human Capital Development project agreement. The grants allow the researchers to visit other think tanks and leading research centres around the world for a short period of time to work on their AERC sponsored human capital research. Improved quality and delivery of university-graduate level economics curriculum In the fiscal year 2022/2023, several activities were undertaken to ensure that quality and delivery of the collaborative training programmes at partner universities improve and keep up with global standards. Activitis included several Joint Facility for Electives (JFE) and Shared Facility for Specialization and Electives (SFSE), delivered virtually. Final examinations were administered and invigilated at the respective home universities of the students. Moreover, presentations of PhD thesis research work by CPP students in the concurrent thematic groups at the biannual research workshops has remained a key component of strengthening quality as students benefit from the peer review mechanism and from the large pool of international resource people. At the June and December 2022 Biannual Research Workshops, a total of 9 PhD thesis research proposals and 5 best chapter papers were presented in the concurrent thematic groups. Also, 9 PhD thesis research grants were awarded to the CPP students after obtaining favourable comments from the resource persons during their proposal presentations at the concurrent sessions. The AERC also awards Ph.D. thesis research grants to support non-CPP 17 Africans studying for PhD degrees in economics in recognized universities within or outside Africa. A total of 15 PhD thesis research grants were issued in the fiscal year 2022/2023. Masters students are also eligible for award of thesis grants to undertake field work upon successfully participating in the JFE/SFSE. A total of 126 masters thesis research grants (32 CMAP and 94 CMAAE) were issued in the fiscal year 2022/2023. A total of 37 new CMAP scholarships (5 full and 32 partial tuition and fees in-country) were awarded (21 (57%) to females) to first year students between August and December 2022. Out of the 5 full scholarships, 4 were awarded to students from fragile and post-conflict countries (1 Rwanda (1) and Liberia (2) and Sierra Leone (1)) admitted to the University of Nairobi, Ghana and Cape Coast. A total of 20 (11 full and 9 partial tuition and fees in-country) new CPP scholarships were awarded to first year students in 2022/2023. In terms of gender distribution, 9(45%) of the 20 CPP scholarships were awarded to women in 2022/2023. STRATEGIC THEME 2 ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY In the fiscal year 2022/23, the AERC has undertaken various activities to support institutional capacity building in the region. During the period under review, the AERC partnered with several institutions of governments, foundations, non-state actors and regional institutions to jointly undertake policy research to inform policy on the continent. The AERC recognises that long-term sustainability depends on the AERC diversifying its partnership with African governments, like the Government of Kenya Capacity Building for Policy Analysis Project which is on-going. The AERC also fostered and continues to develop critical institutional partnerships for the purpose of utilizing comparative advantages, convening power and policy outreach to critical policy publics with actors such as the T20 Think Tanks, Inclusive Development Knowledge Platform Project, Cameroon Policy Analysis and Research Center (CAMERCAP-PARC) and the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER). The funding environment for non-for-profits has shifted, donors funding strategies changing and donors taking a different approach to funding various organizations. The AERC requires taking an aggressive approach to realize the required funds to support the strategy and carried out several fundraising efforts over the reporting period. With a major success being the granting of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) award in support of the project on Policy Analysis for Sustainable and Healthy Foods in African Retail Markets (PASHFARM). STRATEGIC THEME 3 EXPAND INFLUENCE Several platforms have been used to provide timely and customized support to influence policy decision making in sub-Saharan Africa. - Sixty-eight (68) Policy Briefs were produced from thematic and collaborative research projects during the period under review and posted on the AERC website and knowledge management repository for wider circulation. - Thirty-six (36) research papers were produced and distributed. - Over 500 AERC publications are now available on RePEC (Research Papers in Economics. The connection to RePEC has seen a marked increase in downloads of the AERC publications. - An outcome of the partnership with the Kenya Library Information Services Consortium (KLISC) is the AERCs ability to provide access to over 60 online journals and databases including JSTOR, Science Direct, SpringerLink, Oxford, Taylor & Francis, as well as EBSCO Host. - A total of one hundred and fifteen (115) Working Papers were published. Moreover some key initiatives and innovations undertaken in the AERC online library during the first quarter include: -AERC publications have now been organized allowing for easy search, filtering of the publications by author, automated auto generation of thumbnails from uploaded pdf content and email notification of new content in the DSpace as well as uploaded publication on the platform. -Online Journals and Databases: Subscription was made for Elsevier Science Direct to make journals accessible to the AERC network members and scheduled Elsevier to be part of induction training or JFE/SFSE this year. The AERC has also taken proactive steps towards improving dissemination of its research findings to its stakeholders with several social media outreach activities, media and newslet activities and more. In line with the strategic plan, the following is an update of progress made in the fiscal year 2023/2024: Improvement of quality and efficiency of the research program - Improved communication with all researchers by holding pre-and post- biannual online meetings; - All comments sent out within 2 weeks of the completion of biannual and about 90% of all revised research papers received by end of February for June biannual; - Mandatory proposal guideline prepared and uploaded in RMS; - Careful vetting and intensive mentoring (80% rejection; 20% shortlisted for intensive proposal writing workshop in April 2024) Improved synergy between collaborative and thematic research The collaborative research programmes are tailored for middle and senior researchers addressing topical development issues of the day. During the year under review, the AERC implemented, at different stages, a total of 19 projects that address the current global economic priorities for Africa and other regions. Thematic Research The AERC thematic research modality of learning-by-doing research remains a key avenue for enhancing the pool of locally based economists in sub-Saharan Africa with improved skills and competencies to conduct economic policy-relevant research. Strengthening Technical Capacity The AERC continues to improve the skills and capacity of the individual researchers to carry out relevant policy research and to influence policy action. In this area, 5 technical workshops were conducted. Improved quality and delivery of university-graduate level economics curriculum Several activities were undertaken to ensure that quality and delivery of the Collaborative Masters Programme in Economics (CMAP), the Collaborative Masters in Agricultural and Applied Economics (CMAAE) and the Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) at partner universities improves and keeps up with global standards. There have been inconsistencies in the attainment of gender equality across the universities. Whereas award of scholarships is within the control of the AERC and progress towards attaining gender parity has been significantly realized, enrolment of students at the respective universities is not. This implies that every effort towards realizing gender equality in enrolment of students should be in partnership with the universities. An in-depth gender analysis is planned to be undertaken with support from Sida and the Nordic Consulting Group (NCG), to identify supply bottlenecks that result to few women enrolling. The outcome of the survey on gender will inform the measures to be undertaken to mainstream gender in the AERCs programmes and partnering universities. Capacity Building outcomes - 27 collaborative research framework and country case studies published in internationally referred journals. - 5 thematic and graduate students research papers published in internationally referred journals. - 4 thematic research papers generated from broader themes of collaborative research. - 35 early career researchers conducting thematic research. - 35 senior researchers participating in AERC research. - University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal - admitted into CPP as Non-Host Degree awarding university. - University of Pretoria, South Africa - admitted into CPP as Non-Host Degree awarding university. Improved collaboration with economic policy decision-making institutions During the period under review, the AERC partnered with several institutions of governments, foundations, non-state actors and regional institutions to jointly undertake policy research to inform policy on the continent. 1. National level: Background research to inform the Kenyan tax reform; Africa Policy Dialogues (INCLUDE) 2. Continental engagement: AEC (AfDB, UNDP and UNECA); 2024 AfDB annual meetings; UNDP AUDA-NEPAD Technical Advisory Group; Africa in G20; The African Think Tank Summit (ACBF). 3. International : IMF, Climate & Development Taskforce; Climate finance & Debt; SDR and IDA replenishment; IMF Taskforce on Debt burden, public spending, & climate change Gender Mainstreaming An in-depth gender analysis and gender audit of the AERC as an organization and of its core activities (research, graduate training, and policy outreach) was conducted in September 2022 by the Secretariat with the support of the Nordic Consulting Group (NCG) appointed by the AERCs funding partner, Sida. A report of the audit was produced and an action plan developed. A Gender Working Group comprising 9 members from all the units within the AERC Secretariat was established in June 2023, with the main mandate to champion gender mainstreaming within the institution and in activities undertaken with various stakeholders. The Group is responsible for further development of the AERC gender action plan and the oversight of the implementation of the action plan. A two-day training on mainstreaming gender for all the AERC staff was conducted on 25-26 September 2023. The workshop was part of the AERC gender action plan and aimed to contribute to an overall deeper understanding of gender concepts, how to promote gender equality both at the AERC Secretariat and in the operations of the AERC. During the workshop, the AERC team reviewed the status of gender mainstreaming at the AERC and identified some of the priority areas in the coming years. The AERCs future interventions will gradually build from lessons from current and past activities with the aim of closing the gender gap. The team has prioritized the conducting of a survey study on women economists in Africa in early 2024/25 to understand the root causes of low women's participation in doctoral studies, research and leadership roles as lead authors, resource persons, steering committees, among others. This is expected to inform interventions to be undertaken during the next strategic plan period to mainstream gender in all programmatic activities and policies. In addition, a gender review will be conducted of key policies and guidelines of the AERC to ensure that they are more gender responsive. Given the prominence of sex and gender-based analysis in research, the AERC will engage a team of gender experts to develop a common course to be offered to all its masters and doctoral students at the JFE/SFSE. The AERC also intends in the next review of its masters and PhD courses to infuse gender studies and analysis where applicable. Teaching faculty retooling workshops will be organized and conducted to enlighten teaching faculty and supervisors on integrating gender dimension in both teaching and research. Affirmative action in the award of scholarships to qualified female students will continue to be applied as well as application of female/family-friendly policies. In addition, under the collaborative research, the AERC has made strides in ensuring both the studies and project steering committee has representation from both male and female. Several studies have also been conducted in the fragile and post conflict states as well as ensured that a gender component has been integrated into research through conducting specialized gender mainstreaming workshops as well as having gender specialists in the projects. The AERC will target to build a fund for women-only scholarships with the aim of achieving a critical pool of women researchers, teaching faculties, policy analysts and leaders in various institutions. Expand Influence 27 Research papers produced and distributed/ disseminated. 59 Policy briefs in both French and English produced and posted on the website. 73 Working Papers for Framework papers and Country Case Studies produced. Promotional materials produced include: forty-eight (48) weekly updates and 186 digital campaigns. Three quarterly AERC newsletter. All publications were uploaded on the website and effectively promoted through a combination of Social Media, AERC Updates and AERC Insight Hence the increase in posting, dissemination and reach. Challenges The changing funding global environment experienced over the current strategic planning period has continued to be a challenge for the AERC. Slow funding commitments and increasing competition for resources from funding partners. The shifting of funding priorities by partners to support targeted research projects rather than long-term capacity building initiatives (Masters and PhD scholarship support). Over reliance of the AERC support by several partnering universities to implement their graduate programmes. With the dwindling funding support for scholarships and low or no enrolment of privately sponsored students, several partnering universities have been unable to mount their programmes. Low enrolment of women in the research and graduate training programmes as well as integration of gender studies in the curricula. Opportunities New opportunities of funding targeted towards research activities related to the research that influence policy while partnering with various governments as well as new strategic partnerships with like-minded institutions on the pandemic. Integration of gender in studies by conducting gender mainstreaming workshops for the researchers within the region. The virtual approach of delivery of the training programmes has helped to reduce costs of delivery of the JFE/SFSE and enhanced inclusivity irrespective of categorization of universities. Using e-learning platforms, the collaborative training model can further be expanded to include partnerships with universities across the globe that offer frontier online courses that can be availed to students and faculty.

AERCs fundamental goal is to strengthen local capacity for independent, rigorous inquiry into problems pertinent to the management of African economies, through a synergetic programme combining economic research with postgraduate training in economics, supported by an interactive communications and policy outreach programme. The AERC 20202025 Strategic Plan overall goal is to contribute to greater economic stability and growth in sub-Saharan African economies through capacity development and research output that will support the implementation of evidence-based economic policy. The two end-of-strategy outcomes are: - Improved cooperation and information sharing on economic policy across Africa; and - Improved proactive policy engagement and outreach. Strategic themes The AERC has adopted a new theme-based approach, focusing on outcomes and impact measurement. The 2020-2025 Strategic Themes are as follows: 1. High quality research and graduate training. 2. Achieve organizational sustainability. 3. Greater influence on economic policy. Strategic objectives The strategic objectives for the period 2020-2025 are as follows: Objective 1: Scale up inclusive capacity building in economic policy research and graduate training, to build a critical mass of economists in Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective 2: Strengthen and deepen national, regional and global linkages and partnerships for leadership in economic policy research and capacity development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective 3: Diversify resource and stakeholder-ship base of the AERC for long-term sustainability in capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective 4: Enhance AERCs brand visibility and policy engagement to broaden reach and impact. Motivation for each strategic objective is provided in the AERC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, together with a set of proposed activities. IMPROVE QUALITY: Transforming the AERC capacity building model to strengthen the quality of research and training outputs At the end of the strategic period, AERC anticipates achieving the following three key outcomes whose progress will be tracked periodically against set targets: 1.1 Improved enabling environment for high-quality policy-oriented research 1.2 Improved researchers capability and dissemination capacity 1.3 Improved quality of graduate students In line with the strategic plan, the following is an update of progress made in the fiscal year 2023/2024