African Union Launches Strategy to Inform Policy Decisions with Research and Analysis
The African Union is implementing a strategy to ensure that economic, social, and health research and analysis genuinely influence policy decisions across the continent. To achieve this, it is supporting three major networks of African think tanks that cover all regions and key themes such as economic transformation, food security, and digital transition. The goal is to produce reliable and relevant analyses to guide public policy at the continental level.
Key Objectives and Benefits
Each consortium has access to funding of up to $10 million over two and a half years, enabling them to produce solid analyses that are directly useful to decision-makers and, indirectly, to economic actors. For entrepreneurs or CEOs, this means:
- Access to reliable and up-to-date data on the African market
- Opportunities for partnerships or collaborations with these think tanks to anticipate trends and policies
- Strategic vision of the continent: understanding where Africa is investing in research can guide expansion, innovation, or investment decisions
The Three Key Consortia
- RAISED Africa (Economic Research Forum): specializes in the economies of the Middle East and North Africa
- BRIDGE-Africa (African Centre for Economic Transformation, ACET): focuses on economic transformation and structural development
- Consortium APHRC (African Population and Health Research Centre): expert in demographic and health data
Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs
These networks cover all regions of the continent, from West Africa to Southern Africa, and offer in-depth analyses of strategic sectors (economy, digital, health, food security), which can help anticipate market trends and regulation. The initiative, funded by the World Bank over five years, aims to transform knowledge into a driver of development and bring research closer to public decision-making. This initiative follows a call for applications launched in July 2025.
Conclusion
The African Union's strategy to support think tanks and research networks has the potential to drive economic growth, improve health outcomes, and enhance food security across the continent. By providing entrepreneurs and CEOs with access to reliable data and analysis, this initiative can help inform business decisions and drive investment in key sectors. As the continent continues to evolve and grow, the importance of data-driven decision-making cannot be overstated.
