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African Think Tanks convene in Addis Ababa to look at ways to contribute to Agenda 2063

Harare
Zimbabwe
02 Apr, 2015

The African Capacity Building (ACBF), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Think Tank and Civil Society Programme of the University of Pennsylvania (TTCSP) have partnered to hold the Second Africa Think Tank Summit, on the theme, The Rise of Africa’s Think Tanks – Practical Solutions to Practical Problems from 6-8 April at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The aim of the Summit is to explore the ways in which Africa’s think tanks are currently making a difference in the continent’s transformation, and how they can become increasingly relevant and important contributors as the vision for Africa in 2063 rolls out.

The TTCSP has been organizing a series of regional and global “think tank summits”, bringing together professionals of top-ranked think tanks to connect as a trade association for networking, reflection and discussions on the pressing issues of the day.  Over nine summits have been held so far, including regional convocations for Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and North America, the G20 countries, and most recently a Global Think Tank Summit in Geneva.

In attendance will be representatives from major Think Tanks, including Emmanuel Nnadozie, Executive Secretary, ACBF, Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary, ECA,   Arkebe Oqubay Minister and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Ms. Monde Muyangwa, Director, Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson Centre Prof. Lemma W. Senbet, Executive Director, Africa Economic Research Consortium, among others.

The First Africa Think Tank Summit was held on 3-5 February 2014 at the Pride of Africa Irene Country Lodge in Pretoria, South Africa.  It was organized in a partnership between the ACBF, the African Leadership Center, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Konrad-Andenauer-Stiftung, TTCSP, and the Institute for Security Studies as the host. Over 50 of the leading think tanks from 25 countries in Africa participated in the Summit, including the think tanks and policy institutes supported by ACBF.  The Summit focused on the organizational and policy challenges facing think tanks in the region and how they might increase their sustainability, value and impact.  The participants made a number of important recommendations that fall into four areas: capacity development, knowledge sharing and networking, resource mobilization and regionally based initiatives and partnerships.

All media are welcome to attend a press conference scheduled on Wednesday 8 April 2015 at the UN Conference Centre.

For media interviews, please contact

John Kaninda

Senior Communications Officer, ACBF,

[email protected]

Thomas Kwesi Quartey

ACBF has been granted the status of a specialized agency because of the potential to transform Africa through capacity development.


H.E. Thomas Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson, AU Commission
Erastus Mwencha

The recognition of ACBF as the African Union’s Specialized Agency for Capacity Development launches the beginning of a new era for capacity building by ACBF, which will require an appropriate level of political commitment and financial support from all stakeholders.


H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Chair, ACBF Executive Board
Lamin Momodou

The remarkable achievements ACBF has registered over the past 26 years is not by accident in our opinion. They have come through hard work, dedication, commitment, purposeful leadership, support from the member countries as well as productive partnership building.


Mr. Lamin Momodou MANNEH, Director, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
Goodall Gondwe

Africa needs ACBF as much, probably more now, than at the time it was created in 1991.


Hon. Goodall Gondwe, former Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance – Malawi
Ken Ofori Atta

Ghana’s partnership with ACBF is a tremendous blessing for us and therefore the opportunity for Ghana to host the 26th ACBF Board of Governors Meeting is something that we treasure.


Hon Ken Ofori Atta, Chair of the ACBF Board of Governors and Minister of Finance - Ghana
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