African voices on research, policy, and international development in sub-Saharan Africa
Past Event
What entry points exist into domestic policy processes in sub-Saharan Africa?
Can local researchers and aid agencies work together to strengthen policy decisions and outcomes? Too often there is a disconnect between the advice of research of scholars on the ground and the international actors and African policymakers themselves, despite their shared goals of positive impacts on social and economic development. Much potential for growth, implementation of innovation, and opportunities for fresh interventions are being missed. So, what are the obstacles preventing these conversations from bearing fruit? Have there been successful areas of collaboration between aid agencies and African academics? How might we foster more success stories?
Under this theme, on October 6, the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative, the Global Development Network, and the African Economic Research Consortium hosted an event in which African researchers and aid agency staff engaged African policymakers in conversations on the present and future of policy in two key areas for the continent—financial inclusion and agriculture—based on available policy knowledge and scientific evidence. The event was part of a USAID-funded program through which GDN and AERC specifically are supporting the emergence of African voices in academic and policy debates on aid to sub-Saharan Africa.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
Oren E. Whyche-Shaw
Coordinator for Trade Africa - USAID
Panel 1: What entry points exist for researchers and international development agencies into domestic policy processes in sub-Saharan Africa?
Augustin K. Fosu
Professor, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) - University of Ghana
Lemma Senbet
William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance - University of Maryland
Member, Distinguished Advisory Group - Africa Growth Initiative
Saharah Moon Chapotin
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Food Security - USAID
Abebe Shimeles
Manager, Macroeconomic Division - African Development Bank (AfDB)
Panel 2: Financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa: Is local, national, regional or continental innovation the way forward?
Lemma Senbet
William E. Mayer Chair Professor of Finance - University of Maryland
Member, Distinguished Advisory Group - Africa Growth Initiative
Robin J. Lewis
Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow - Governance Studies
Deputy Director - Leveraging Transparency to Reduce Corruption
John Rwangombwa
Governor - Central Bank of Rwanda
Peter Quartey
Head, Department of Economics - University of Ghana
Oren E. Whyche-Shaw
Coordinator for Trade Africa - USAID
Panel 3: Boosting agricultural productivity through innovation: What role for researchers and aid agencies in supporting policy design?
Rob Bertram
Chief Scientist, Bureau for Food Security - USAID
Shenggen Fan
Director-General - International Food Policy Research Institute
John W. McArthur
Director - Center for Sustainable Development
Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development
Julie Howard
Senior Adviser - Global Food Security Project, Center for Strategic & International Studies
Senior adviser to the associate provost and dean for international studies and programs - Michigan State University
Closing Remarks
Francesco Obino
Head of Programs - Global Development Network
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