The African Capacity Building Foundation’s (ACBF) Director of Knowledge Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Thomas Munthali, has invited African think tanks to step up and play their full role as strategic partners in informing decision makers at the regional and continental levels on importance of evidence-based policy making for inclusive and sustainable development on the continent.
Speaking at the opening of the 5th Consultative Forum of the ACBF Policy Institutes Committee (PIC) held in Kigali, Rwanda from 21 to 23 October, Dr Munthali said the current global strategic transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation by the African Union of its Agenda 2063 called for the Foundation and African think tanks to play the unique and very determinant function of providing public policy research, analysis and advice.
“As discussed in previous gatherings, think tanks have a role to play in helping continental and regional institutions as well as individual countries assess the capacity Africa requires for its development over the coming years,” Dr Munthali added.
ACBF is already providing technical support to the African Union (AU) with a view to successfully support the implementation of the Agenda 2063. The Foundation has conducted studies on the “Internal and external risks associated with the implementation of AU Agenda 2063” and the “Agenda 2063 Capacity Needs Assessment and its Capacity Development Plan”.
“Both studies, which will be soon published are critical in successful implementation of the continental agenda,” said Dr Munthali. “In its journey to strengthen capacities and support the successful implementation of the continental agenda, the Foundation will strongly rely on think tanks.”
Think Tanks were also encouraged to take full advantage of the Network. The Network will every year conduct country reviews and Country Policy Institutional Assessments. The findings and recommendations of which will inform and influence policy making on the continent and in their respective countries.
“The PIC Network is expected to greatly contribute to the extant knowledge base as well inform the going policy dialogue pertaining to Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development. The continent’s leaders are looking up to us for guidance on how to address the capacity challenges that are preventing the continent from unlocking its full development potentials. Let us work together to make this network highly powerful, efficient, relevant and impactful,” concluded Dr Munthali.
The Policy Institutes Committee was established by ACBF to offer a platform for its various supported think tanks and policy institutes to meet regularly in order to exchange information, ideas and experiences on African policy developments. The Network offers also an opportunity to present and examine country reviews, discuss strategic policy issues, and share knowledge and experiences on the management of think tanks and policy institutes in Africa.
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