Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e Members of the Consortium Department for International Development (DFID) Non-member funders: The MacArthur Foundation African Development Bank (AfDB) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark (DANIDA) African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) The National Treasury, Government of Kenya German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) Global Development Network (GDN) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) United Nations University-World Institute for Development US Agency for International Development (USAID) Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) The World Bank (IBRD) United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) AERC African Central Bank Governors Forum

Board of Directors Programme Committee Mthuli Ncube, Chair of the Board; Director at Large; Professor of Public Policy, Geoffrey Ngungi Mwau, Chair of the AERC Programme Committee; Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, UK Economic Secretary, The National Treasury, Kenya Christopher Adam, Vice Chair of the Board and Interim Board Treasurer; Caleb Fundanga, Executive Director, Macroeconomic and Institutional Director representing the Department for International Financial Management Institute for Southern and Eastern Africa Development (DFID); Professor of Development Economics, DFID, University (MEFMI), Zimbabwe of Oxford, UK Sarah Alade, Deputy Governor, Bank of Nigeria Joyce Lewinger Moock, Secretary to the AERC Board; Director at Large; Prof. Ondo Ossa Albert, Department of Economics, University of Capacity Building Advisor, New York, USA Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon Jeppe Søndergaard Pedersen, Chief Technical Adviser, Technical Advisory Ibi Ajayi, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark University of Ibadan, Nigeria Francisco H. G. Ferreira, Institutional Director representing The World Bank, Victor Murinde, Professor, Department of Economics, University USA; Chief Economist, Africa Region, Washington, D.C., USA of Birmingham, United Kingdom Paulin Basinga, Institutional Director representing The Bill and Melinda Gates Abena Frempoma Daagye Oduro , Department of Economics, Foundation; Senior Program Officer, Integrated Delivery Team, Seattle, USA University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana Kamau Thugge, Institutional Director representing The National Treasury, Ahmadou Aly Mbaye , Professor, Department of Economics, Kenya; Principal Secretary, Kenya Université Cheikh anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal Trine Lunde*, Institutional Director representing the Norwegian Agency for Jean-Yves Duclos, Professor of Economics, University of Laval, Development Cooperation (Norad); Head of Section, Development Strategy Quebec, Canada and Governance, Norway Henrik Hansen, Professor, Institute of Food and Resource Elphas Ojiambo**, Institutional Director representing the Swedish Economics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); Senior Regional David E. Sahn, Professor, Cornell University & CERDI, Programme Manager (Economic Integration and Anti-corruption), Section for Universite d’Auvergne, New York, USA Regional Development Cooperation, Kenya Laurence Harris, Professor, School of Oriental and African Studies James B. Whitaker, Institutional Director representing the United States (SOAS), University of London, United Kingdom Agency for International Development (USAID) Division Chief, Economic Lemma Senbet, Ex-officio member; Executive Director, AERC Growth, Environment and Agriculture, Africa Bureau, Washington, D.C., USA Benno Ndulu, Director at Large; Governor, Bank of Tanzania Nii Sowa, Director at Large; Director General, Securities and Exchange Comission, Ghana Frannie A. Léautier, Director at Large; Partner and CEO, Mkoba Private Equity Fund Bernadette D. Kamgnia, Director at Large; Division Manager, Development & Policy Dialog Division (ADI 2), African Development Bank, Tunisia Louis Kasekende, Director at Large; Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda Jean-Louis Ekra, Director at Large; President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Export-Import Bank, Cairo, Egypt Geoffrey Ngungi Mwau, Ex-officio member; Chair of the AERC Programme Committee; Economic Secretary, The National Treasury, Kenya Lemma Senbet, Ex-officio member; Executive Director, AERC

*Up to February 2015 **Up to September 2014

ii a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

African Economic Research Consortium

Consortium pour la Recherche Economique en Afrique

Annual Report 2014/15

For the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 i Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

AERC Annual Report 2014/15

Published by: African Economic Research Consortium P.O. Box 62882 City Square Nairobi 00200, Kenya

© 2015 African Economic Research Consortium

ii a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Table of Contents

Members of the Consortium Inside front cover

Board of Directors Inside front cover

Programme Committee Inside front cover

Foreword v

Overview 1

Objective 1: Scale up Capacity Building for Policy 9 Research and Graduate Training

Objective 2: Develop and Implement an Enhanced Research Model 23 to Mobilize the Expanding Research Community in Africa

Objective 3: Facilitate Universities to Take Full Responsibility for 29 Postgraduate Studies

Objective 4: Enhance Communication, Outreach and Policy Engagement 35

Objective 5: Strengthen and Diversify the AERC Resource Base 46

Summary Financial Report 56

Annexes 63 Secretariat Management and Staff 72

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The African Economic Research Consortium

Vision Sustained development in sub-Saharan Africa, grounded in sound economic management and an informed society.

Mission To strengthen local capacity for conducting independent, rigorous inquiry into problems pertinent to the management of African economies, through a synergetic programme combining research with postgraduate training in economics.

Objectives i. Enhance the capacity of locally-based researchers to conduct policy-relevant economic inquiry, ii. Promote the retention of such capacity, and iii. Encourage its application in the policy context.

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Foreword

Prof. Lemma W. Senbet, Executive Director, AERC he fiscal year 2014/15 was a remarkable turning point for the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) in many ways. In particular, it marked the end of the strategic period 2010-2015 with great Tsuccess stories, including the AERC African Central Banks Governors’ Forum adopting a resolution to have its members join the Consortium. This was a historic achievement for helping put AERC in a more sustainable basis while enhancing African stakeholder-ship and voice on AERC’s governance. The Governors’ Forum has reaffirmed the AERC value propositions for our longstanding partners, including those who have helped nurture AERC since inception, at this defining stage of the Strategy 2015-2020. I am pleased to inform you that all of our existing partners have now reaffirmed continuing membership in the Consortium and remain core supporters to AERC. Deep gratitude to all of them on behalf of AERC and its vast network.

The AERC Strategic Plan for 2015–2020 was approved for implementation at the AERC March 2015 Board meeting. The Plan describes the AERC enduring capacity building framework, characterized by its research, collaborative graduate training, policy outreach, network and institutions and then highlights key AERC achievements followed by its comparative advantage and value propositions. The Plan is informed by challenges and opportunities facing transforming Africa.

The novel features of the Strategy, 2015–2020, include inclusive capacity building measures to address the under represented groups, fragile and post-conflict states, and engagement with the private sector in mutually beneficial training, research and policy outreach activities. Private sector contribution is vital to Africa’s development, and hence the need to engage with the private sector. Among other things, the private sector would also be expected to support AERC in mobilizing resources. The strategy also recognizes the need for enhanced African stakeholder-ship of AERC for its viability, diversity and sustainability. African governments have been prime beneficiaries of AERC, but they need to have a “skin in the game” both in helping diversify the resource base and in having a greater voice in AERC governance. As mentioned above, this has already began happening as witness by the emergence of AERC African Governors of Central Banks Forum.

The strategy builds on the remarkable successes that AERC has scored over the quarter of a century, underpinned by its diverse yet integrated programmes spanning research, collaborative graduate training and policy outreach. Informed by the evolving needs and present development imperatives in sub-Saharan Africa, the strategic objectives for the 2015–2020 plan period are to: 1. Enhance capacity building for economic policy research and graduate training in sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Build and strengthen national, regional and global linkages to generate high quality economic policy research and graduate training. 3. Leverage the private sector in its contribution to development. 4. Enhance AERC visibility, outreach and policy engagement to maximize the uptake of AERC products in Nam inum alia policy. adicia Am ipsapid 5. Maximize mutual benefits through diversified resource base and stakeholder-ship for sustainability.mi, eici Tem faccum vendaeped.

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Through this strategic period 2015–2020, AERC will, in addition to its regular capacity building activities, design targeted capacity building programmes to promote participation of the currently under-represented countries. The Consortium will ensure it does not cannibalize the high value created in existing programmes. Efforts will be directed at building institutional capacity of universities and research institutions in fragile countries to offer quality training in economics and respectively conduct rigorous and policy relevant research.

Another major activity during the fiscal year was the successful AERC’s Senior Policy Seminar (SPS XVII) on “Agriculture in Africa’s Transformation: The Role of Smallholder Farmers” held in Maputo, Mozambique from March 26-27, 2015. The seminar brought together 102 participants from 25 countries across sub- Saharan Africa who included ministers, governors of central banks, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials. The participants later made a declaration to support small holder agriculture in Africa’s transformation. The policy makers, for the first time in such an event hosted by the AERC, adopted a declaration as an affirmation of their strong commitment to supporting smallholder agriculture as an engine for growth and transformation on the continent, and its centrality to the agenda of financial sector development in Africa.

Other AERC flagship activities during the fiscal year were two biannual research workshops in June and December 2014. One was on the theme “Public Finance: Tax and Expenditure Reforms in Africa” for the Plenary Session. This was held in Accra, and the chief Guest was Dr. Henry A.K. Wampah, Governor of Central Bank of Ghana. The other was on “Youth Employment in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges” was held in Lusaka, Zambia, and was officially opened by Dr. Michael Gondwe, Governor, Bank of Zambia, on behalf of Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, Minister of Finance, Republic of Zambia. At the opening of each of the biannual plenary sessions, I have found it useful to talk about the AERC capacity building framework and updates on recent activities and outcomes.

Once again AERC was featured among the top think tanks in the Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI). AERC was ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa and 25th globally in category of International Development Think Tanks Worldwide 2014. In another international ranking, AERC was again conferred the supreme five (5) star rating by Transparify. This is an initiative devoted to advocating for greater think tank transparency worldwide, including financial transparency. Transparify assessed 169 think tanks worldwide in the 2015 report and only 31 of these, including AERC, achieved the maximum 5-star rating. While we are pleased with high international recognition among think tanks, it should be recognized that AERC is not just a think tank. It is a think tank plus with an enduring capacity building framework spanning research, collaborative training, policy outreach, and a vast network with a “think tank” just only a part of this integrated knowledge and capacity building organization.

As I conclude, as the Strategic Plan makes it clear, AERC’s achievements have been remarkable, including informed policy making as witnessed by a multitude of its alumni occupying positions at mid to highest levels of policy positions in the continent. We are determined to take this highly successful organization to the next level of excellence. The activities that are detailed in this annual report are part of the process and contribute to the realization of our vision for sustained African development. I wish to acknowledge the hard work and commitment to excellence by the AERC management and staff, network members, including international resource persons, as well as members of the AERC Board, the Programme Committee, and Academic Advisory Boards. Last but not least, my deep appreciation goes to our funding partners, including our longstanding members of the Consortium, for helping sustain this precious African success story.

I am, thus, pleased to present this Annual Report for 2014/15, with a summary of the audited financial statements, to the members of the Consortium, the Board of Directors, the Programme Committee, and other AERC stakeholders. We could not have managed without the support of all of you.

Prof. Lemma W. Senbet Executive Director African Economic Research Consortium. v i a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Overview

he current fiscal year marked a significant 30 November to 4 December 2014 in Lusaka, period for AERC as the Consortium Zambia, with a total of 91 researchers (of whom 12 Tentered the final year of the strategy were CPP students). There were 13 women (15%) period 2010–2015. It provided an opportunity to among the participants. take stock of our achievements and to continue to restructure in a bid to achieve the goals we Plenary sessions marking the beginning of the set in the strategic plan. The year also witnessed biannual research workshops are renowned remarkable efforts channelled towards developing vehicles for updating researchers and policy the AERC Strategic Plan 2015–2020. makers on frontier topics in the economics discipline—with a bearing on economic Programmes development in Africa. The 39th Plenary Session During this period, efforts were geared towards of the biannual research workshop on Public broadening our geographical outreach and Finance: Tax and Expenditure Reforms in Africa increasing the participation of women in AERC was officially opened by Dr. Henry A.W. Wampah, research and training activities in line with the 2010–2015 Strategic Objectives current strategy’s ambitions to increase the 1. Scale up capacity building for policy presence of under-represented countries and research and graduate training groups. The annual Senior Policy Seminar and 2. Develop and implement an enhanced the 2014 Biannual Research Workshops were research model to mobilize the expanding successfully convened. research community in Africa 3. Facilitate universities to take full The June 2014 biannual workshop was held in responsibility for the collaborative master’s Accra, Ghana, from 1 to 5 June 2014 with a total of programmes 93 researchers – of whom 20 were Collaborative 4. Enhance communication, outreach and PhD Programme (CPP) students – in attendance. policy promotion In total, there were 16 female participants. The 5. Strengthen and diversify the AERC December 2014 biannual workshop was held from resource base

Members of the AERC Board of Directors at a recent meeting that was held in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Governor, Bank of Ghana, and On training, the 2014 Joint AERC among top think tanks in was chaired by Prof. Ernest Facility for Electives (JFE), for 2014 Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor, the Collaborative Masters Once again, AERC featured University of Ghana. The plenary Programme (CMAP) was held among the top think tanks in session provided an opportunity from 23 June to 26 September the Global Go To Think Tank for the Executive Director, Prof. 2014 at the Kenya School of Index (GGTTI). AERC is ranked Lemma W. Senbet, to update Monetary Studies (KSMS) in first in sub-Saharan Africa and the network on AERC activities. Nairobi. The year 2014 marks the 25th globally in the category The plenary sessions attracted third year of the JFE under the of International Development a broad range of participation new CMAP architecture. As was Think Tanks Worldwide 2014 by policy makers, donors the case in 2013, 59 students as a premier capacity building and academia. Among the participated. A total of 29 of institution for policy oriented international participants were the 59 students were female, economic research and training. staff of the African Development which represents 49% female Bank Group (AfDB), the participation, marking the highest World Bank, the International level of female participation at of the 26 students, 11 (42%) Monetary Fund (IMF), the the JFE since its inception in were female. The 2014 Shared UN World Food Programme 1993. The previous record was Facility for Specialization and (WFP) and the United Nations 38% in the 2011 JFE. With the Electives (SFSE) was held from University World Institute new architecture, a total of 112 4 August to 28 November 2014 for Development Economics students took elective courses at the University of Pretoria, Research (UNU-WIDER). The at the respective Category C South Africa, and was officially workshop also provided an universities, namely Addis Ababa opened by the AERC Executive opportunity to organize special University; University of Dar es Director. A total of 82 students sessions by AERC partners who Salaam; University of Ghana; participated compared with 68 included the World Bank, IMF and University of Nairobi. The students in 2013. There were 35 and WFP. 2014 CPP JFE was held from (43%) female students compared 30 June to 31 October 2014. A to 37% female participation in 2013. The theme for the 40th total of 26 students attended, Plenary Session was “Youth compared with 17 in 2013. Out Employment in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges”. The plenary session was officially opened by Dr. Michael Gondwe, Governor, Bank of Zambia, on behalf of Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, Minister of Finance, Republic of Zambia. Dr. Michael Gondwe, chaired the plenary session while Dr. Caleb Fundanga, Executive Director, Macroeconomic and Finance Management Institute for Eastern and Southern Africa Women policy makers at a recent policy seminar hosted by African Economic (MEFMI), chaired the policy Research Consortium in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP). roundtable.

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Members of the AERC Governors’Forum in a meeting. The forum has joined the consortium in accordance with the AERC bylaws for core support. In continued efforts to build Senior Policy Seminar transformation provided a synergies between the research on Agriculture in timely forum for dialogue and training departments, joint Africa’s Transformation: between senior policy makers monitoring visits were made to Smallholder Farmers and thought leaders, among under-represented countries A successful AERC Senior Policy policy makers. This debate to sensitize researchers on Seminar (SPS, XVII) under the was conducted in the best of the opportunities available at theme “Agriculture in Africa’s AERC traditions, guided by AERC. A team from the AERC Transformation: Smallholder rigour and evidence. This is Secretariat made a monitoring Farmers” was held in Maputo, where research meets policy. and sensitization tour to Mozambique, on March 26-27, The seminar was inspired by a University of Cape Town on 2015. The conference, which productive partnership between 13 May 2014. A monitoring attracted 102 senior policy AERC and WFP on the P4P pilot and sensitization mission makers from across the region, programme,” said Prof Senbet. to Egerton University, Njoro, was jointly hosted by AERC and Kenya, was undertaken on 21 the UN World Food Programme AERC among top think June 2014. This mission was (WFP) with the support from the tanks in 2014 global based on the opportunity of Bank of Mozambique and the index and awarded the Collaborative Masters country’s Ministry of Agriculture five-star rating for Programme in Agriculture and and Food Security. More than transparency Applied Economics (CMAAE) 25 African countries were Once again, AERC featured theses dissemination workshop represented at the forum. The among the top think tanks in for Kenya held at the university. AERC Executive Director, Prof the Global Go To Think Tank The mission established that the Lemma W. Senbet, delivered an “Very good seminar, it has given programme is progressing well opening speech, highlighting me the opportunity to notice with the university improving the significance of the topic where the problem lies in the student gender representation which stemmed from the AERC/ strategy and policy to Transform and completion. WFP collaborative project on Agriculture in Africa.” smallholder agriculture. -- a policy maker at the Senior “This senior policy seminar Policy Seminar XVII on agriculture in Africa’s

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Participants following proceedings during one of AERC’s many workshops.

Index (GGTTTI). In 2014, AERC memoranda of understanding web-based alumni platform has ranked first among economics were signed with new partners as been developed to enhance think tanks in sub-Saharan part of AERC efforts to promote outreach and continuous Africa, and 25th globally among regional and global linkages and participation, retention International Development partnerships. This is undertaken and growth of members. Think Tanks. The launch of the with the aim of strengthening Implementation of the AERC 2014 Global Go To Think Tank the quality of AERC research events portal has contributed Index was hosted by Centre outputs and facilitating the to the agenda of a paperless for Strategic and International adoption of best practices for workshop. Additionally, the Studies (CSIS) in Washington, research and policy. In addition, live web casting of the AERC D.C., USA, on 22 January collaboration with world class biannual research workshop 2015. AERC was one of the academic institutions continued plenary session and the SPS 80 organizations in 60 cities as a means of enhancing the has allowed a global audience and 50 countries around the quality of graduate training in to participate in the institution’s world that took part in the sub-Saharan Africa. flagship events. Going forward, simultaneous launch. AERC seeks to enhance the During the period, substantial integration of technology into all AERC was also awarded the efforts were made towards its operations and programmes highest possible five-star rating developing the information and for greater efficiency and added by Transparify for the periods communications technology value. 2013 and 2014 (the results were (ICT) strategy, a significant announced in May 2014 and component of the AERC Strategic Transforming February 2015 respectively). Plan 2015–2020. Priority human resource, These ratings make AERC the initiatives undertaken include administration and only highly transparent large the development of the online finance processes think tank in Africa. research paper submission and for efficient service review system to improve the delivery Collaboration with existing research management process. To support programmes and partners through various Following the launch of the AERC ensure their quality and reach, mechanisms continued while Alumni Association in 2013, a the administration function this

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year focused on transforming Cooperation Agency (Sida) was Following the presentation the internal processes, undertaken in May 2014 as a of the draft framework of operational efficiency and mechanism for monitoring the the plan to the AERC Board effectiveness of activities across progress of AERC programme in March 2014 and wide the Consortium. During this activities funded under the ACBF consultations with a broad period, activities undertaken partnership. range of stakeholders, the were aimed at strengthening draft AERC strategic plan for performance management, Evaluations of AERC 2015–2020 was presented to monitoring systems and and development of the Programme Committee at enhancing the efficiency and AERC Strategic Plan its June 2014 meeting. A special effectiveness of the financial 2015–2020 meeting of the Board was held management processes and The evaluation of the AERC in November 2014 to review systems. Strategic Plan 2010-2015 the draft strategy. The finalized undertaken by Prof. John AERC Strategic Plan 2015–2020 Staff seminars held in May and Loxley, University of Manitoba, was presented at the AERC October 2014 served as forums Canada, and Dr. Caleb Fundanga, Board meeting in March 2015 to not only discuss the draft Macroeconomic and Financial and officially approved by the AERC strategy for 2015–2020 Management Institute of Eastern Board. but also engage in team building and Southern Africa (MEFMI), and bonding. A staff satisfaction was completed in May 2014. The Resource survey was undertaken in May evaluation report considered mobilization 2014 as a follow-up to the one comments made on the draft Efforts to increase the resources done in 2013. The outcome of following presentations made available for programme the survey is aimed at increasing to the Executive Committee activities continued to be Management’s understanding and the Board of Directors prioritized throughout the period. of the areas that need to be in March 2014. The strategy Among the key strategies improved within AERC. evaluation was conducted is deepening partnerships alongside the review of the with current donors. A grant In relation to financial thematic research programme agreement in support of core management and control, by Prof. Stephen O’Connell, programmes for SEK18 million statutory external audits and Swarthmore University, USA, (US$2.7 million) from Sida was specialized project audits and Dr. Dominique Njinkeu, the signed in April 2014. The Danish were conducted in May World Bank, USA. A mid-term Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2014 in compliance with the review of the CMAAE programme through the Danish International set regulations. The Global was conducted concurrently by Development Agency (Danida), Development Network (GDN) Dr. Alex F. McCalla, University also awarded AERC a grant of undertook a financial review of California, Davis, USA, and DDK10 million (US$1.8 million) of AERC grant management Prof. Hans P. Binswanger- for core programme support. systems in April 2014 in Mkhize, formerly at the World AfDB confirmed that its Board compliance with the regulations Bank and currently a visiting had approved a grant to AERC of the World Bank, a key donor professor, University of Pretoria, of US$720,000 towards the to GDN. A joint mission by South Africa. Reports from the Exchange Programme for the African Capacity Building programme reviews fed into the Research and Mentorship Foundation (ACBF), the evaluation of the Strategic Plan between AfDB and AERC over World Bank and the Swedish 2010–2015. a two-year period. Furthermore, International Development a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 5 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

following the submission of a to discuss their support to the (US$1,150,700) was signed in concept note for support from new strategy. The World Bank, March 2015. the Bank’s African Development in February 2015, confirmed the Fund in February 2014, a approval of funding to AERC for AERC continues to re-engage mission to prepare the appraisal a period of two years and has with USAID, which hosted report was undertaken in shared a draft funding agreement the March 2014 AERC Board October 2014. It is expected that to support AERC with US meeting in Washington, D.C., the project would be presented $200,000 for the current fiscal and provided opportunities to for approval during the next year. Discussions on potential have AERC forums, including Bank’s Board meeting. funding from DFID with effect the CSIS forum on “AERC: from April 2015 took place. Research Meets Policy in In related efforts, the AERC Africa”. In response to a request Executive Director visited A concept note submitted to for bridge support, USAID has the UK Department for the Bill and Melinda Gates used a channel outside the International Development Foundation to fund CMAAE traditional Africa Bureau, to (DFID) in September 2014, Phase II received favourable support AERC through GDN where he held meetings with feedback. The Executive for the Africa Voice project. A the DFID Chief Economist, Prof. Director and the Director of memorandum of understanding Stefan Dercon, and the Growth Training held meetings with the on this project and a sub-grant and Research Team. Similar Foundation’s team in Seattle, agreement for US$285,000 meetings were held in October USA, in February 2015 to pursue was signed between AERC and 2014 with the World Bank and discussions of this funding and GDN in February 2015. For the the United States Agency for to present the upcoming strategy. long term, Management is in International Development A funding proposal to WFP is communication with USAID for (USAID), in Washington, D.C. being developed based on the fully fledged re-engagement Further meetings were held with successful pilot phase of the through the African Bureau. Norad and Danida in Oslo and Data Analysis and Knowledge In this regard, a meeting was Copenhagen respectively. A Management Hub (DAKMAH) held with USAID in October meeting was also held with Sida project, grant expired in March 2014 and resulted in high level in Nairobi in November 2014. 2015. representation of USAID to the The meetings with key current special meeting of the AERC core funders provided forums Another key strategy for resource Board in November 2014 in to update partners on AERC’s mobilization is re-engage with Nairobi. A follow-up meeting upcoming strategic priorities donors who had exited. Efforts to was held in January 2015 at the and to seek support for the new re-engage with previous donors USAID offices in Washington strategy. Following discussions continue to realize positive D.C. The discussions to date with key donors during the results. Following meetings with indicate that USAID will support special meeting of the Board IDRC, the AERC funding proposal AERC Strategic Plan 2015– to review the draft strategy for research activities focusing 2020. held in November 2014, AERC on fragile and post-conflict submitted funding proposals states was positively evaluated. The AERC Executive Director to Norad and Sida in February In December 2014, IDRC and the Director of Research 2015 requesting their support for confirmed the approval of the met with the Managing Director the new strategy. The Executive grant support request and a grant for Africa at the Rockefeller Director visited Sida offices in agreement for CAD1,300,000 Foundation in Nairobi in July Stockholm in February 2015 2014, to pursue the possibility of

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the foundation re-engaging with deputy governors from Kenya, to AERC through a modality AERC as a previous funder. Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania that would allow for annual and Uganda. As a result, the contributions to AERC. This Yet another strategy is Governor of the Bank of Tanzania would in turn provide African enhancing African stakeholders. offered to co-host an agreed Central Banks a bigger voice in Relentless efforts continued Alumni Governors’ Forum. AERC through a proposed group in reaching out to African directorship to the AERC Board. governments and institutions The first ever AERC Central Bank The proposed modality was as part of our strategy of Governors Forum was held on discussed with the governors at ensuring sustainability of the 13–14 August 2014, in Zanzibar, a meeting held in October 2014 Consortium’s programmes. Tanzania. The meeting was an in Washington, D.C., during the At the SPS XVI held in Addis outstanding success with 10 annual meetings of the World Ababa, Ethiopia, in April central bank governors and Bank and IMF. 2014, a presentation of the deputy governors in attendance. emerging AERC framework The Forum discussed the role A meeting co-hosted by the for the next strategy for the of African governments and Bank of Zambia was held in period 2015–2020 was made institutions in supporting AERC Livingstone, Zambia, on 19–20 to senior policy makers. This activities for sustainability, in February 2015 to formalize the provided an opportunity to addition to increasing their framework of the Governors emphasize the importance of an voice in the governance of the Forum. At this meeting, the increased African stakeholder- Consortium. The 10 central banks members of the Governors ship in AERC activities through represented at the beginning Forum signed a resolution resources from African (Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, to join the Consortium and governments and institutions. Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, provide core support in line Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and with AERC by-laws. The Forum A meeting was held in May 2014 Zimbabwe) agreed to become the welcomed the participation of with the Principal Secretary Founding Members of the AERC the new members, South African and other senior officials of Governors Forum and to co- the National Treasury in Kenya opt the Bank of Nigeria, whose Dumisani Zondiwe Moyo holds an during which AERC updated the governor was unable to attend MSc in Agricultural and Applied team of recent developments the meeting. Economics (CMAAE) obtained within the organization and the from Bunda College of Agriculture emerging priorities for the next On presentation of a financing of the University of Malawi. He AERC strategy. gap for CMAP and CPP, the says: “I am currently working with governors present at the the United Nations Development The AERC Executive Director Zanzibar meeting pledged a Programme’s Malawi Country also took the opportunity total of US$650,000 to help Office as Programme Analyst of the IMF-organized Africa close this financing gap. At the for Environmental and Natural Rising conference in Maputo, end of this fiscal year, a total Resources (ENR). The knowledge Mozambique, in May 2014 to of US$400,000 had been I acquired from CMAAE was key meet with numerous senior disbursed to AERC, with the to enabling me to secure the UN African government officials, balance promised before the job and for sure, I am performing who included those from end of the current financial the job effectively. I am also the ministries of finance and year. The major outcome of the developing a PhD concept note central bank governors and August meeting was a long- that will develop this thinking.” term engagement and support a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 7 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Reserve Bank and Reserve Bank African Studies Centre (ASC) reach and impact on capacity of Malawi at the Livingstone in Leiden, the Netherlands, for building and policy formulation. meeting. The framework for the the Knowledge platform on Forum’s engagement with AERC development policies project, Enhanced communication, was approved by the AERC which is an initiative of the outreach and policy promotion Board in March 2015. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the is a focus for the future and Netherlands. AERC is part of will be supported by a robust The message of the need for an a consortium led by ASC that communications strategy to enhanced African stakeholder- will provide the secretariat for enable AERC to present its ship was reiterated during the the knowledge platform. AERC value propositions to diverse meeting of the AERC alumni is responsible for knowledge stakeholders. The enhanced which was held in Accra, Ghana, brokering on social protection integration of technology into in June 2014 within the biannual and the engagement of all of AERC’s operations and workshop. The attendance African policy makers as well programmes is expected to of senior alumni members as organizing workshops and create greater efficiency and (attending as panellists on the platform meetings in Africa. provide added value in its plenary policy roundtable and activities. resource persons) provided Moving forward an important forum to request The future will be geared towards Diversity of resources for their support in connecting the implementation of the new sustainability of the AERC AERC with their governments AERC Strategic Plan 2015– programme will continue to be and other institutions they are 2020. Objectives for the next a high priority. Strategies are involved with. strategy emphasize the need to already being implemented enhance capacity building for and will be enhanced towards Engaging with the under-represented groups, mobilizing resources for the new and non- focusing on post-conflict and new strategy. The priority traditional fragile countries, and on women. strategies include: enhancing Existing partnerships will be our partnerships with current partners enhanced while linkages with funders; re-engaging with Still on partnerships to increase new ones will be developed previous funders; reaching resources, AERC submitted with a wide range of institutions out to African governments a funding proposal under the within Africa and beyond, and institutions; and engaging China–Africa Joint Research and with special emphasis on with new and non-traditional Exchange Programme, which engagement with non-traditional partners, including the was based on a meeting held partners from Asia and Latin private sector. A key focus between the Chinese Embassy America. This is expected to area is the enhancement of in Nairobi and AERC in May promote national, regional and African stakeholder-ship for 2014. The programme is part of global linkages as a foundation sustainability. the Forum on the China–Africa for the implementation of the Cooperation (FOCAC) initiative new strategy. Furthermore, and has the potential to broaden plans are under way to promote the AERC resource base to engagement with the private include non-traditional partners. sector in mutually beneficial research and training activities A contract was signed in June as a mechanism to increase our 2014 between AERC and the

8 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m Objective 1 Scale up capacity-building for policy research and graduate training

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Scale up Capacity Building for Policy Research and Graduate Training

his section of the report provides updates the peer review process intended to maintain on progress in thematic research and and yield high quality research output on topical Trelated activities, including the June and African economic development issues. The June December 2014 biannual research workshops, 2014 Biannual Research Workshop was convened technical workshops, visiting scholars programme in Accra, Ghana, from 1 to 5 June 2014 with a total and facilitation of research opportunities for of 93 researchers (of whom 21 were CPP students) network members. It also covers activities of the in attendance. The thematic researchers and Collaborative Master’s Programme (CMAP), the CPP participants were drawn from 20 African Collaborative Master of Science in Agricultural and countries. Out of the 73 thematic researchers, Applied Economics (CMAAE), the Collaborative 23 participated for the first time. There were 16 PhD Programme (CPP), and related projects such (18%) female participants. Concurrent sessions as the AERC/World Food Programme (WFP) featured 77 presentations: 34 proposals, 10 Purchase for Progress (P4P) Data Analysis and interim reports, 13 final reports and 20 CPP Knowledge Management Hub (DAKMAH). thesis proposals. Of the 34 proposals, 23 were recommended to proceed to interim report stage, Improving technical two were recommended for revision and future competence of researchers presentation at the biannual workshop, and nine and students were recommended for withdrawal. The AERC thematic research modality of learning- by-doing research remains a key feature of the The second biannual research workshop was biannual research workshops as exemplified by held from 30 November to 4 December 2014 in

AERC Joint Facility for Electives (JFE) students listening keenly to proceedings during the official opening of the facility.

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Lusaka, Zambia, with a total total of 45 research grants were Research Workshop in Accra, of 91 researchers (of whom 12 awarded. Details of the grantees Ghana. A total of 15 students were CPP students). Together, and more statistics on the (five of whom were women) of the researchers and CPP thematic research programme the CPP Class of 2012 defended participants were drawn from are provided in Annex A2. their thesis proposals while 17 African countries. Of the another five (two women) of the 79 thematic researchers, 26 Thesis workshops for CPP Class of 2011 presented were participating for the first the CPP Class of 2012 their post-fieldwork reports to time. There were 13 women Two thesis workshops were held an audience of fellow students, (15%) among the participants. in the year in line with the primary supervisors, resource persons Researchers from under- objectives of ensuring that and other participants (see represented countries such as theses produced by the students Table 1). The total number of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, are of high quality, students 15 students in the CPP Class Chad, Lesotho, Malawi, Niger, complete their theses within the of 2012 reflects a significant Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, allotted time, and that students decrease from the 43 students Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe are integrated into the AERC of the CPP Class of 2011 participated in the two biannual research workshops. students (with 16 or 37% being workshops. The first workshop was held women) who defended their on 2–4 June 2014 for the CPP proposals in June 2013. The As an outcome of the two Class of 2012 in conjunction with decrease is explained by the biannual research workshops a the May/June 2014 Biannual lower number of admissions of Table 1: CPP Class of 2012 Thesis Proposal Workshop student distribution by country, gender and thematic group June 2014 December 2014 Country of CPP Gender Total per CPP student Gender Total per CPP student participants country presentation country presentation by thematic by thematic concurrent group concurrent group M F A B C D E M F A B C D E 1 Benin 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 Cameroon 0 1 1 1 3 Chad 1 0 1 1 4 Ghana 1 0 1 1 5 Kenya 5 2 7 2 1 2 2 4 1 5 1 1 2 1 6 Lesotho 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 Malawi 0 1 1 1 7 Nigeria 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 8 Sierra Leone 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 9 Tanzania 1 0 1 1 10 Uganda 0 1 1 1 1 11 Zimbabwe 4 0 4 1 2 1 2 0 2 2 Total 15 5 20 5 4 4 3 4 9 3 12 3 3 2 3 1 Key: Thematic groups A: Poverty, Income Distribution and Food Security D: Trade and Regional Integration B: Macroeconomic Policies, Investment and Growth E: Political Economy, Natural Resource Management C: Finance and Resource Mobilization and Agricultural Policy Issues a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 11 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

students into CPP Class of 2012 University, The Netherlands, The IMF is currently reviewing owing to reduction in funding of as the instructor. A total of 38 the draft MoU to have it signed. the CPP. researchers participated in the Once the MoU is signed, the two technical workshops: 20 programme will continue to During the thesis research in the Survey Methodology (of be implemented and the three workshop held in December whom 13 were women) and 18 in researchers (Ronald, Jules 2014 in Lusaka, Zambia, a total Research Methodology, Proposal and Josephine) will visit the of 12 Class of 2012 students Preparation and Presentation IMF. In February 2015, the IMF (three of whom were women) Skills (of whom 7 were women). confirmed the approval of the presented their post-fieldwork budget for the programme and it papers. The reduction in the Learning-by- is expected that the programme number of post-fieldwork doing research will resume in May 2015. presentations can be attributed through attachment to the absence of three students Another attachment programme, who did not complete their programmes the AERC/Journal of African reports on time. The AERC/International Economies Visiting Scholars Monetary Fund (IMF) Visiting Programme enables network Scholars Programme provides Technical workshops members who have completed opportunities for AERC Courses offered through the an AERC-supported research researchers to work on their technical workshops modality project to visit the University work-in-progress or final reports aim at familiarizing AERC of Oxford, where they write a using facilities at the IMF, and researchers—particularly publishable journal article from to interact with IMF staff in those from under-represented their research reports. While their areas of research. Two countries and groups (especially at Oxford, the researchers researchers—Jonathan Chipili women)—with analytical tools participate in academic and from Zambia and Jonathan and software to develop their research activities at the Danladi from Nigeria—visited capacity to apply the tools to Centre for the Study of African the IMF offices in June 2014. policy research and analysis. Economies (CSAE) and present Three other researchers—Ronald The first technical workshop on their research outputs within the Mangani from Malawi, Jules Rene Research Methods, Proposal context of a seminar. It should Minkoua Nzie from Cameroon Writing and Presentation Skills be noted that a total of 26 and Josephine Ndambuki was held on 2–13 February researchers have participated in from Kenya—were selected 2015 in Arusha, Tanzania, the programme since 2007. Of in June 2013 to participate in with Dr. Anthony Wambugu, the 26, three researchers – Epo the programme. Following University of Nairobi, Kenya, Boniface Ngah from Cameroon, the meeting in June 2014 as the instructor. This was Fred Matovu from Uganda between the AERC Executive the third time the course was and Eme Dada from Nigeria – Director and Chief of the IMF being offered, bringing together will be attending the scholars Africa region, it was agreed researchers from fragile and programme during the first half that there was a need for a post-conflict countries. The of 2015. A call for expression memorandum of understanding second workshop on Survey of interest for participants in (MoU) to accommodate the Methodology was also held the first half of 2016 will be new arrangement, where AERC in Arusha, Tanzania, on 5-13 posted on the AERC website researchers are to be hosted by February 2015 with Prof. and circulated widely to network the Research Department and Remco Oostendorp, Free members in June 2015. the African Region of the IMF.

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Participants following presentations during the June 2014 AERC’s biannual research workshop. These workshops bring together a large number of economists from the African continent and outside. programme between July and Raising policy December 2014. AERC and the World Bank makers’ awareness: launched the AERC/World Bank Robert McNamara Women’s Feedback from the two The June 2014 Fellowship Programme that is participants indicates the Biannual Research targeted at building the research usefulness of the programme Workshop capacity of African women in providing an opportunity to economists. A call for proposals advance their thesis research The plenary session made during the launch of the work. Onelie has already Plenary sessions marking programme at the June 2013 submitted her thesis for defence the commencement of the biannual in Arusha, Tanzania, while Susan is in the process biannual research workshops yielded a total 12 applications. of completing her thesis work. are renowned as vehicles for Four applications selected by a The participants also had the updating researchers and policy panel comprising Prof. Margaret opportunity to present their makers on frontier topics in the Chitiga (Human Sciences theses and received valuable economics discipline. The 39th Research Council, HSRC, comments from both researchers and 40th plenary sessions were South Africa); Prof. Bernadette and practitioners. In addition, held in June and December Kamgnia (African Development the day-to-day interaction with 2014 respectively. The 39th Bank); and Dr. Witness peers was helpful in shaping Plenary Session on “Public Simbanegavi, the AERC Director their research. Further, the Finance: Tax and Expenditure of Research, were recommended researchers attended seminars Reforms in Africa” was officially to the World Bank for the related to their work, enabling opened by Dr. Henry A.W. final selection. Two female them to improve their research Wampah, Governor of Bank researchers, Onelie Nkuna from work and enhance their analytical of Ghana, and was chaired by Malawi and Susan Watundu skills. The programme also Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice from Uganda, were selected to accorded them the exposure Chancellor, University of Ghana. participate in the fellowship at and experience of being at an The session chair appreciated the World Bank in Washington, international institution in a the timeliness of the topic, D.C., USA. Ms. Nkuna visited multicultural setting. The two its important contributions the World Bank from 1 March to researchers thanked AERC/ to knowledge and the lively 30 September 2014 while Ms. World Bank for the opportunity. discussions, pointing out that Watundu participated in the the topic forms a potential area a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 13 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

for collaborative research. The and Public Investment in by Dr. William Baah-Boateng of plenary sessions attracted a Africa”, was presented by Prof. the University of Ghana. broad range of participation Christopher Adam, University of by policy makers, donors and Oxford. The paper illustrated the The third paper, “Tax Evasion, academia. The theme for the implication of bringing two issues the Provision of Public 40th Plenary Session was (i.e. taxation inflicts deadweight Infrastructure, and Growth: A “Youth Employment in Africa: costs and public investments General Equilibrium Approach Opportunities and Challenges”. impose ongoing budgetary costs to Two very different Countries, The Plenary Session was for operation and maintenance Egypt and Mauritius”, was officially opened by Dr. costs for which provision is presented by Prof. Andrew Michael Gondwe, Governor, inadequate) from the periphery Feltenstein, Department of Bank of Zambia, on behalf of to the core of conventional IMF Economics, Andrew Young Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, analysis of public investment, School of Policy Studies, Minister of Finance, Republic growth and debt sustainability. Georgia State University, USA. of Zambia. Dr Gondwe chaired Dr. Domenico Fanizza, Assistant The paper constructs a dynamic the plenary session while Dr. Director, African Department, multi-period general equilibrium Caleb Fundanga, Executive IMF, USA, led discussion on the model to analyse prospects for Director, Macroeconomic and paper. growth in Egypt and Mauritius. Finance Management Institute The analysis shows that modest for Eastern and Southern Africa The second paper, “Pro-Poor increases in spending on public (MEFMI), chaired the policy Tax Review in South Africa: infrastructure, compensated for roundtable discussion. Potential and Limitations”, was by corresponding decreases presented by Dr. Ramos Mabugu, in current spending, can lead Welcoming remarks were Research and Recommendations to increases in real gross given by Prof. Lemma Senbet, Programme, Financial and Fiscal domestic product (GDP) growth. Executive Director, AERC, and Commission, Republic of South Beyond certain levels, however, Prof. Stephen Simukanga, Vice- Africa. The paper uses a dynamic more infrastructure spending Chancellor, University of Zambia. computable general equilibrium will actually lead to a decline Three papers were presented (CGE) model, with endogenous in real GDP growth. Leading at the plenary session. The last labour supply which integrates a the discussion on this paper session of the plenary was a range of tax instruments (direct was Prof. Festus Egwaikhide, policy roundtable discussion and indirect) that contribute to University of Ibadan, Nigeria. with Dr. William Baah-Boateng, financing government expenses University of Ghana, presenting to analyse the impact of South The policy roundtable focused a special paper before African Government policies to on the theme “Tax and discussions by panellists. increase economic growth and Expenditure Reforms in Africa” Among other participants in the reduce poverty and inequality. and was chaired by Prof. Ernest plenary session were staff of the The paper concludes that Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor, AfDB Group, the World Bank, the implication for economic University of Ghana. The IMF, WFP and UNU-WIDER. growth from tax policy changes panellists included Mr. Ismail is limited, but the potential Momoniat, Tax and Financial The plenary papers for poverty reduction is more Sector Policy, National Treasury, The June 2014 plenary featured pronounced when VAT revenues Republic of South Africa; Dr. presentation of three papers and are recycled through direct Ramos Mabugu, Research a policy roundtable discussion. transfers to poor households. and Recommendations The first paper, “Fiscal Reforms Discussion on the paper was led

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Programme, Financial and Africa. It analyses the broader on the meaning, content and Fiscal Commission, Republic of economic development trends in context of youth employment in South Africa; Prof. Akpan Ekpo, the last decade or so, and what sub-Saharan Africa. Emerging University of Uyo, Nigeria; and they mean for efforts to develop evidence points to the informal Dr. Kupukile Mlambo, Deputy the country-specific strategies economic activities as the Governor, Reserve Bank of and programmes. The paper epicentre of youth employment Zimbabwe. argues that the heart of the youth in sub-Saharan Africa for years employment problem lies with to come. The discussant was Three papers were presented sub-Saharan Africa’s economic Dr. Ita Mannathoko, Economic during the December 2014 development model. Discussions Advisor and Consultant, plenary session on “Youth on the paper were led by Dr. Botswana. Employment in Africa: Pamela Kabaso, Zambia Institute Opportunities and Challenges”. for Policy Research and Analysis “The impact of Exogenous The first paper, “Skills or (ZIPAR), Zambia. Policy Shocks on Young Jobs? A Diagnostic of Youth People: The Case of Sectoral Employment Challenges in Sub- The second paper, “What is in a Minimum Wages in South Saharan Africa”, was presented Job? The Social Context of Youth Africa” was the third paper, by Dr. Louise Fox, University (Un)employment in Africa”, was and it was presented by Prof of California, Berkeley, USA. presented by Dr Olawale Ismail, Haroon Bhorat, University of The paper provides a context King’s College, London, UK. The Cape Town, South Africa. This for country youth employment paper presents a social analysis paper examined the impact strategy development and of youth employment in Africa, of the introduction of sectoral project selection through a exploring its socio-cultural, minimum wage laws on youth review of the development political and environmental employment in six sectors. The economics of the youth undercurrents as it conditions paper shows a lower number employment problem in the opportunities and constraints. of young workers in minimum low and lower middle income The notion of “what is in a job” wage sectors relative to workers countries of sub-Saharan foregrounds critical reflections in comparable sectors not covered by minimum wages. The ratio of youth to adults in the covered sectors decreases over the period, while the opposite trend takes place in non-covered sectors. This suggests a move away from younger workers over time in these sectors, but not necessarily as a result of minimum wages. Discussions were led by Prof. Francis Baye, University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon Participants in a technical workshop. Courses offered through these workshops are aimed at equipping AERC’s researchers - particularly those from under-represented countries/groups - with analytical tools to apply those to policy research analysis.

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The last session was a policy “Linking Smallholder Farmers to de Hoop, International Labour roundtable discussion. The Markets: Lessons Learned from Organization (ILO)/UCW. The session was chaired by Dr. Caleb the WFP-Purchase for Progress final special session was on Fundanga, Executive Director, (P4P) Pilot Programme” by Ken “The Government Revenue MEFMI). Dr. William Baah- Davies, P4P Global Coordinator; Database—An Introduction to Boateng, University of Ghana, Clare Mbizule, Monitoring and a New Tax Database” compiled made a special presentation on Evaluation (M&E) Advisor, WFP; by the International Centre for “Youth Employment Challenges and Paulo Dias, Project Manager Taxation and Development in Africa: Policy Options and for P4P Hub. The session was (ICTD) by Prof. Oliver Morrissey, Agenda for Future Research”. chaired and moderated by the Nottingham University, UK. Thereafter, there was a panel AERC Executive Director and The session was chaired discussion involving several Director of Training, respectively. and moderated by the AERC panellists. These were Dr. Louise Executive Director. Fox, University of California, The June 2014 biannual Berkeley, USA; Mr. Hazele workshop also provided an Back-to-back Chilala, Zambia Federation of opportunity for the steering workshops within the Employers (ZFE), Zambia; and committee of the AERC Alumni biannual research Ms Everlyne Mulenga, President Association to meet with AERC workshop of Zambia Famers Union. network members and update Capitalizing on the large them on the progress of the gathering of researchers and Special sessions Association. Dr. Rose Ngugi and resource persons that is a during the June and Prof. Peter Quartey, members trademark of the AERC biannual December 2014 of the steering committee, workshops, two workshops biannual research provided the update and led the were convened back-to-back workshops discussions. with the June 2014 biannual in The June 2014 Biannual Accra, Ghana, and the December Research Workshop featured The special session during biannual workshop in Lusaka, three special sessions. The first the December 2014 biannual Zambia. was on “Accelerating Poverty workshop featured three Reduction in Africa” presented presentations. The first was on The CMAAE Faculty Research by Dr. Francisco H.G. Ferreira, “Dynamic Industrial policy in Workshop held on 31 May 2014 Chief Economist, and Dr. Luc Africa: Innovative Institutions, provided an opportunity for Christiaensen, Senior Economist, Effective Processes and Flexible CMAAE faculty to present their both from World Bank’s Africa Mechanisms” by Dr. Adam research papers for peer review Region. The session was B. Elhiraika, United Nations and to receive comments from chaired and moderated by Economic Commission for resource persons. The AERC the AERC Executive Director Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa, Executive Director made the and the Director of Research Ethiopia. The second session opening remarks in the session respectively. was on “Potential Funding that witnessed the presentation Opportunities for AERC Graduate of five research papers. The second session was on Students’ Research on child Fostering inclusive growth by Labour and Youth Employment: The Global Development Dr. Domenico Fanizza, African An introduction to the research Network (GDN)/AERC Training Department, IMF, and was collaboration between the Workshop on policy briefs chaired by the AERC Executive AERC and Understanding and research communication Director. The last session was on Children’s Work” by Dr. Jacob

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was held on 6–8 June 2014, under-represented countries, core courses (microeconomics, bringing together a total of 18 namely: Gambia (2), Rwanda (1), macroeconomics and participants: 13 researchers, Sierra Leone (1) and Zambia (3). quantitative methods). A total of two policy makers from Ghana In terms of gender distribution, 13 scholarships were awarded, and three facilitators. The main just like it was in 2013, 53% of the a significant decrease from the purpose of the workshop was scholarships were awarded to 34 awarded in 2013/2014. The to train researchers on how to female students. drop is attributed to a decline communicate research findings in funding for CPP as several to policy makers. A total of 96 students from the grants had not been renewed. In seven accredited departments addition, there was a decline in The Capital Flight and Tax were admitted into CMAAE the number of Kenyan students Havens Interim Report programme. Thirty-five of the awarded the Government of workshop was held on 6–7 96 first-year students admitted Kenya scholarships. Of the December 2014. Nine interim were awarded scholarships 13 scholarships awarded in reports were presented during to study at Egerton University 2014/2015, 10 were awarded the workshop. The researchers in Kenya, Lilongwe University to Kenyan students while the were expected to revise their of Agriculture and Natural remaining three were awarded research reports based on the Resources in Malawi, Makerere to other students admitted at comments received and submit University in Uganda, Sokoine the University of Dar es Salaam the revised drafts by 15 March University of Agriculture in (1), the University of Ibadan 2015. Tanzania, and the universities of (1) and the University of the Nairobi (Kenya), Pretoria (South Witwatersrand (1). One of the Enriching Africa) and Zimbabwe. Of the scholarships had been awarded 35 scholarships, 20 (58%) were to a student admitted at the the learning awarded to qualified female University of Cocody, who failed experience students – a 3% improvement on to take it up. In terms of gender, 2013’s awards (55%). Among the six (46%) scholarships were Admissions for 2014 beneficiaries are students from awarded to female students. and Scholarship Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia Awards and South Sudan—countries The 2014/2015 admissions for that have had either limited PhD Fellowships and the three programmes—CMAP, participation in the programme or Grant Awards under CMAAE and CPP—were none at all. CMAAE and CPP successfully concluded. During the reporting period, the Under CMAP, all the category Admissions for the CPP Class CMAAE programme continued B and C universities made of 2014 were completed to support five PhD fellows who admissions. A total of 19 CMAP with students undertaking are currently in their third year of scholarships were awarded, an course work at the CPP host- study. Two fellows are currently increase from the 15 awarded degree universities of Dar es undertaking research work in 2013/2014. Out of the 19 Salaam and Ibadan reporting at the University of Pretoria, scholarships, 10 were awarded in November 2014. However, having successfully completed to Kenyan students under the the group admitted at the their course work at Cornell AERC/Government of Kenya universities of Cape Town University under a sandwich Capacity Building Project for and the Witwatersrand during arrangement. Another two Policy Analysis, and seven the same period, reported in fellows are pursuing theses were awarded to students from January 2015 for teaching of a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 17 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Table 2: CPP JFE 2014 student participation by university and gender Degree-awarding CPP Class of 2013 students Of which non- university Male Female Total AERC sponsored 1 Benin 1 0 1 0 2 Cape Town 5 5 10 0 3 Felix Houphouet- 1 0 1 0 Boigny 4 Dar es Salaam 4 1 5 1 5 Ibadan 2 0 2 0 6 Nairobi 3 2 5 0 7 The Witwatersrand 0 0 0 0 8 Yaoundé II 0 2 2 0 Total 16 10 26 1 The University of Cocody in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, has been officially renamed Felix Houphouet-Boigny University (Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny). research at the Lilongwe at the same time as the May/June The 26 CPP students were University of Agriculture and 2014 biannual research workshop drawn from eight African Natural Resources, Bunda, in held in Accra, Ghana. nationalities, which is the same Malawi and the University of nationality spread as in 2013, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The 2014 CPP Joint but understandably lower The other fellow, who was Facility for Electives than the 14 and 17 nationalities admitted at the University of The 2014 CPP Joint Facility for represented in the 2012 and 2011 Pretoria, has also completed Electives (JFE) was successfully JFE sessions respectively, when course work and commenced held from 30 June to 31 October the overall student enrolments research work in May 2014. 2014. A total of 26 students in were significantly higher. The Cumulatively, a total of eight the CPP Class of 2013 attended significant increase in the PhD fellows have benefitted the JFE compared with the 17 participation of Kenyans in the from the CMAAE staff CPP Class of 2012 students who programme in the past three development fellowships. Three attended the course in 2013. years is due to the targeted of the eight had successfully Out of the 26 students, 11 (42%) sponsorship by the Government graduated by December 2014. were female, a number notably of Kenya (GoK) under the AERC- These are Jackson Langat higher than 24% in 2013 and GoK project. Out of a total of 26 (registered at Egerton University, 36% in 2012. Table 2 shows the CPP Class of 2013 students, 14 Njoro, Kenya) and Elias distribution of the students by (54%) were Kenyans. Kuntashula and Christopher university and gender. Fakudze (admitted to the CPP JFE 2014 courses University of Pretoria, South The University of the and visiting lecturers Africa). Witwatersrand was not A total of six elective courses, represented at JFE 2014, because namely, Development The period also witnessed the it had not admitted students for Economics, Econometrics, award of thesis research grants two consecutive years, 2011 and Environmental Economics, to 16 CPP Class of 2012 students 2012. Health Economics, International who successfully presented their Economics and Public Sector proposals at the thesis proposal Student distribution by Economics plus French and workshop held on 2–4 June 2014 nationality English language modules were offered. Six visiting lecturers per semester were appointed 18 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

to teach the elective courses Department. A total of 82 in the CMAAE class of 2013. and one additional instructor to students participated. This is an Through continued sensitization teach the language modules. increase of 20% from 68 in 2013. missions to network A total of 16 elective courses were universities, the programme The 2014 CMAAE offered and examined without expects to increase female Shared Facility for any challenges. The SFSE 2014 participation to at least 50% in Specialization and was concluded successfully on the next two years. Electives 28 November 2014. The 2014 Shared Facility for For the first time, students Specialization and Electives SFSE 2014 student from Lesotho participated (SFSE) commenced successfully distribution by gender in the programme. With the at the University of Pretoria and nationality admission of the University of on 4 August 2014. An event The proportion of female Juba from South Sudan in the to mark the official opening of students stood at 43%, which CMAAE network in 2013, and the facility by AERC Executive is an improvement from 34% in the needs assessment and Director Prof. Lemma Senbet 2013. This is partly attributed sensitization mission to Angola, was held on 11 August 2014. The to the sensitization missions in the programme expects to reach event provided an opportunity 2012 that saw a larger number out to many post-conflict and for an introductory lecture of female applicants admitted fragile states. delivered by the Comprehensive in 2013. In addition, a new Africa Agriculture Development scholarship selection procedure The 2014 CMAP Joint Programme (CAADP) Process was introduced in 2013 that Facility for Electives Project Coordinator, Mr. Andre raised the chances of qualified The 2014 edition of the JFE Lechapelle, from the Food female students being awarded for the CMAP Class of 2013 and Agriculture Organization scholarships. This resulted in students admitted in Category of the United Nations 50% of all scholarships being B universities commenced (FAO) Investment Planning awarded to female students on 23 June 2014 and ended

Colloborative Masters in Agriculture and Applied Economics (CMAAE) students listen to presentations during the official opening of the shared facility for specialization at University of Pretoria, South Africa. The proportion of female students was 43%, an improvement from 34% in 2013.

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on 26 September 2014. The Out of a total 59 students who the years. JFE was held at the Kenya participated in the CMAP JFE School of Monetary Studies 2014, 29 (49%) were female. This CMAP JFE student (KSMS) in Nairobi. A total of six marks the highest level of female distribution by elective courses were offered, participation in the programme nationality namely: Corporate Finance since the inception of the JFE in The participating students at and Investments; Econometric 1993, and a significant milestone the JFE 2014 were drawn from 14 Theory and Practice; Health in the programme’s continued African nationalities, double the Economics; International efforts towards achieving gender nationality spread in last year’s Economics; Monetary Theory parity in graduate training JFE, and significantly higher and Practice; and Public Sector and research in economics. than the 10 recorded in 2012. Economics. A total of 59 Previously, the record of highest Figure 1 compares the students’ students drawn from all the female enrolment stood at 38% nationality distribution in 2013 seven Category B universities that was recorded in 2011. The and 2014. (Botswana, Cape Coast, Malawi, University of Botswana has Mauritius, Namibia, Makerere maintained its consistency in While there is remarkable and Zimbabwe) attended the high female enrolment with improvement in nationality JFE. Sixty students took part in 75% (12 out of 16 students) distribution, the current the 2012 session. The student being female, while remarkable Category B universities – numbers had risen to 143 (at the improvements have been made particularly Cape Coast, JFE 2011) before the elevation by most of the other universities, Makerere, Malawi and of the four universities (Addis except the universities of Malawi Zimbabwe – need to increase Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Ghana and Namibia. Overall, there have efforts to admit foreign and Nairobi) into Category C. been gradual and significant students. improvements in the enrolment CMAP JFE 2014 of women in the programme over In 2012 and 2013, no student gender distribution from under-represented Figure 1: CMAP JFE 2013 and 2014 student distribution by nationality

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countries, including the post- followed by the University Applications). Addis Ababa conflict and fragile states, of Dar es Salaam (38). Addis University offered six elective participated in the JFE. Ababa University maintained its courses (Microeconomic Understandably, the nationality admission of 30 students every Policy, Macroeconomic spread has diminished academic year. There has been Policy, Environmental and considerably in recent years a gradual drop of admission of Natural Resource Economics, following the exit of the four students at the University of Environmental Valuation Category C universities in 2012. Nairobi to 13 in 2014/2015, down and Policy, International from 22 in 2013/2014, 26 in Trade Theory and Policy, and Teaching of CMAP 2012/2013, and 33 in 2011/2012. International Finance Theory JFE Courses This could partly be explained and Policy). Twelve visiting lecturers were by the change in preferences of engaged to teach the six elective students to enrol into the part- Quality assurance courses. Each field was taught time evening programme, which has been occasioned by the under the new by two lecturers, one for each CMAP architecture semester. Out of a total of 75 declining scholarship support to To ensure that the MA applications for CMAP visiting Category C universities. programme offered by Category lectureship, only four were by C universities maintains the female applicants, two of whom Regarding the teaching of level of quality that has been were competitively appointed to elective courses at the four the hallmark of CMAP since teach Econometrics Theory and Category C universities, the inception, several measures Practice (Dr. Angelica Njuguna), University of Dar es Salaam have been put in place. First, and International Economics offered five elective courses the academic members of (Prof. Imogen Patience Mogotsi). (Corporate Finance and staff from the Category C However, Prof. Mogotsi withdrew Investment, Econometrics Theory universities were among the her participation citing other and Practice, Environmental experts who participated in work commitments. Economics, Health Economics the two subject specialist and International Economics) workshops held in February in 2014 to CMAP class of CMAP Category C 2014 to review the three core 2013 students. University of universities courses (Microeconomics, Ghana offered seven elective The year 2014 marked the Macroeconomics and courses (Development third year since four Category Quantitative Methods), and in Economics, Environment C universities took full September 2014 to review five Economics, Health Economics, responsibility for teaching elective courses offered at the International Economics, both core and elective courses, JFE (Agricultural Economics, Managerial Economics, Money and did not send students Development Economics, and Banking, and Public to JFE. The total number of Environmental Economics, Finance), while University of students admitted in Category Industrial Economics, and Nairobi offered six elective C universities increased Monetary Theory and Practice). courses (Corporate Finance significantly to 138 in 2014/2015, The Category C universities and Investment, Economic compared with 112 in 2013/2014, are expected to implement the Policy Analysis and Planning, 125 in 2012/2013, and 117 in newly revised core and elective International Economics, 2011/2012. The University of course outlines. Management Decision Analysis, Ghana recorded the highest Public Sector Economics, and admission (57) in 2014/2015, Research Methods and Computer The Secretariat conducted

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monitoring visits to Addis Ababa a. The number of students Babatunde Israel Ekundayo— University and University of Dar enrolled in the programme CPP Class of 2009 graduate es Salaam in November 2014. in various Category C from University of Ibadan The main aim of the visits was to universities was not assess the quality of teaching of large enough to allow the “I started my PhD immediately core and elective courses at the respective universities to I finished my MSc programme. respective universities. offer a wide menu of elective I was not employed in any paid courses, as was the case at job then because I was a full- time student. Upon successfully The measures that have been the JFE. completing my studies in 2013, put in place by the universities b. Several Category C I was employed as a research to enhance quality of teaching universities lacked fellow in a Federal Government of core and elective courses adequate office space Research institute, Nigerian include: for lecturers, classrooms, Institute of Social and Economic • Introducing co-teaching computer laboratories and/ Research, situated in the city of in several core and or postgraduate resource Ibadan, Nigeria.” elective courses. A course centres to accommodate coordinator is appointed for the increasing number of are expected to standardize the each course, who assigns students. In addition, they teaching of elective courses, each lecturer topics and lacked sufficient number of encourage networking between hours of course coverage. computers and statistical students from Category C software, as well as reference • Conducting student and universities and those from textbooks. peer evaluation of lecturers. Category B, promote efficiency, c. The dwindling sponsorship The reviews are usually and minimize costs of offering for MA students admitted to taken into consideration in elective courses in the long run. the promotion of academic the programme had resulted members of staff. in the reduction of the number of students enrolling CMAP/CPP subject • Establishing a Quality specialist workshop Assurance Unit to monitor in CMAP. A joint CMAP/CPP subject service delivery in the d. Lack of participation of specialist workshop was held on universities. Category C universities at the 1–4 September 2014 in Nairobi, JFE eroded the networking whereby CMAP/CPP electives, among students in the CMAP Finally, the Secretariat, in namely, Agricultural Economics, network. collaboration with the Category Development Economics, To enhance the sharing of B and C universities continues Environmental Economics, resources in the teaching to engage external examiners Industrial Economics and of elective courses, AERC to jointly externally examine Monetary Economics Theory proposes the introduction of the teaching of all courses in and Practice were revised. It video conferencing and blended a Category C university and is expected that the updated e-learning at the JFE and at in at least two Category B course outlines and reading lists Category C universities during universities. produced at the workshop will the strategic plan period 2015– be used in the next academic 2020. Efforts will be made to The following challenges year, 2015/2016. encourage lecturers to develop were, however, identified as online course materials for impediments faced by Category elective courses. These measures C universities:

22 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m Objective 2 Develop and implement an enhanced research model to mobilize the expanding research community in Africa

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Develop and Implement an Enhanced Research Model to Mobilize the Expanding Research Community in Africa

Intensifying the generation WIDER to develop a full proposal for the joint Climate change project. A draft proposal was and use of policy-oriented submitted early in the year, and AERC developed research a concept note to facilitate resource mobilization By design, collaborative research projects efforts for the project. At the same time, as a serve as vehicles for retaining built capacity, result of consultations held between AERC and increasing outreach and drawing in policy makers UNU-WIDER, the institutions are jointly working by producing a body of sound policy-relevant on mounting a far-reaching research project on research. Climate change in Africa that can leverage the strengths of both the institutions. Thus, AERC, in Climate change (Window 1) collaboration with UNU-WIDER and JPEG-MIT, The capacity for effectively addressing the issues engaged in the process of developing a broader of poverty, gender, economic growth and climate proposal for a joint research project, responding change—as well as a whole range of cost– to a call by the UK Department for International benefit analyses of climate change adaptation Development (DFID). The consortium’s “C” strategies—does not currently exist in the AERC expression of interest was successful, paving the network. AERC previously engaged professors way for the submission of a fully-fledged proposal. Channing Arndt and Wisdom Akpalu from UNU-

Participants follow discussions during one of AERC’s research workshops.

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Unfortunately, the Consortium in Nairobi, Kenya, where draft in November 2012 yielded recently abandoned the interim research reports were draft interim reports that were proposal development, owing presented. Researchers were presented at a paper review to financial technicalities expected to revise their work workshop held in March 2013 in associated with some of the and submit draft final research Kigali, Rwanda. partners. AERC and UNU- reports by April 15, 2015. A final WIDER have since agreed reports review workshop is An edited final manuscript of to jointly pursue the climate planned for mid-August 2015. the book containing framework change research agenda, but papers of the project was would have to fundraise for it, a Health care financing submitted in February 2014 process which has begun. in sub-Saharan Africa to Oxford University Press AERC proposes launching a (OUP) with professors Leonce Financial sector collaborative research project Ndikumana and Ibi Ajayi as reforms and on Health care financing in editors. The book was published development sub-Saharan Africa. In this during the fourth quarter of To shed light on these complex regard, AERC engaged Prof. 2014. Some of the framework issues pertaining to financial Martine Audibert from Centre papers provided input into the sector development, and d’Etudes et de Recherches sur AERC Senior Policy Seminar on its linkages to economic le Développement International Capital flight from Africa held on performance in Africa, and to (CERDI), France, to develop a 9–10 April 2014 in Addis Ababa, better support financial sector full proposal on the project. Ethiopia. policy efforts in Africa, AERC Prof. Audibert developed and launched a project on financial submitted the final revised Following an inception and sector reforms and development proposal in August 2014 capacity building workshop in Africa. A total of 67 proposals following comments from AERC. in March 2014 for 12 pre- were received in 2013 and sent Out of the full proposal, AERC selected country case studies out for external review. developed a concept note with under this project, the a budget to use for fundraising authors submitted inception Following the review process, purposes. research reports in April 2014. 13 were selected for further The inception reports were work. The authors were asked Capital flight and tax assigned among five resource to revise their proposals, based havens persons—who constitute the on the comments given by To provide insight into the steering committee for Phase external reviewers, in readiness problem of capital flight, AERC 2 of the project. Based on the for a brainstorming workshop with support from the Norwegian review reports, nine research that was held on 20 March Agency for Development projects were commissioned 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya. During Cooperation (Norad), launched in June 2014 while three were the workshop Prof. Isaac a special research project on discontinued. Otchere, Carleton University, capital flight. Following approval Canada, was selected as from the Programme Committee, An interim review workshop the Project Coordinator. The a call for expressions of interest was held on 6–8 December selected research projects for framework papers posted 2014 back-to-back with the were commissioned in April on the AERC website yielded biannual research workshop. 2014. AERC held a framework 40 proposals. Fifteen papers The researchers were expected paper review workshop from that were commissioned after to revise their research reports 31 January–1 February 2015 a brainstorming workshop held using the comments received a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 25 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

for service- delivery related communication and public accountability. The duration of the SDI project, which commenced in October 2013, is three years. Unfortunately, due to the strict World Bank financial Prof. Germano Mwabu (left in spectacles) of University of Nairobi guiding researchers to expand management their capacity for analysis and use of Service Delivery Indicators data in national policy dialogue and on education and health issues in Kenya. The course was held on 18-24 August 2014 in Nairobi, procurement Kenya. procedures, the and submit the revised drafts A total of 30 proposals received activities of the project have on 15 March 2015. A final review in March 2013 have undergone been considerably delayed. workshop is expected to be held three rounds of external review, Nevertheless, a basic SDI on 29–30 May 2015 back-to- with three of them on the theme training course was held in back with the AERC June 2015 Youth unemployment considered Kenya on 18–22 August 2014 Biannual Research Workshop. promising. Given funding with Prof. Germano Mwabu, constraints, the need to manage Dr. David Muthaka, Dr. Eldah this research programme and Senior Scholars Onsomu and Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye comments from reviewers, the Research Programme as instructors. The Senior Scholars Research Secretariat has decided to award two grants under the SSRP. Programme (SSRP) provides an A basic training course for opportunity for senior members Tanzania planned for 23–27 of the network to engage in Capacity for Service February 2015 was postponed AERC research. The objective Delivery Indicators due to the delay in the launch of of the programme is to retain The Capacity for Service Delivery the SDI survey results (country senior scholars in the AERC Indicators (CSDI) project has report). It is expected that network. A call for proposals been developed jointly by the launch and the training was developed and posted on AERC and the World Bank. The course will be held in May 2015. the AERC website and sent to objective of the project is to Meanwhile, the country report network members in November expand the capacity for analysis for Nigeria was launched in 2012. The themes of the call and use of SDI data in national Abuja, Nigeria, in September were “Youth Unemployment; policy dialogue on education and 2014. It is expected that the Sources and Spread of Growth health issues in Kenya, Nigeria basic training for Nigeria will be Opportunities and Distribution and Tanzania. The CSDI project held in June 2015. of Benefits; and Natural resource has three components: Capacity management, climate change for SDI analysis; Capacity for SDI and economic development policy dialogue; and Capacity nexus”.

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Knowledge Platform platform meeting from 20 to An edited final manuscript of Development Project 21 October 2014 in The Hague, a book proposal containing the Netherlands. The first day framework papers of the project The knowledge platform on was a workshop with Platform was submitted on 28 April 2014 inclusive development policies members and representatives to OUP with professors Andy brings together researchers from the research groups that McKay and Erik Thorbecke as from Africa and the Netherlands have been granted funding editors. It is expected that the who work with the private by NWO/WOTRO. During the book will be published later in sector, non-governmental workshop the research groups the year (2015). Meanwhile, the organizations (NGOs) and introduced themselves and their country case studies have also governments in exchanging research projects and discussed been completed and plans are information and ideas about their research uptake activities. under way to publish a book how to achieve better research– The second day was a meeting volume. policy linkages on economic for Platform members to discuss transformation and inclusive the future knowledge activities. development. The platform is Sub-project on one of five knowledge platforms health, economic that were initiated by the Wrap up of old growth and poverty Netherlands Ministry of Foreign collaborative reduction in Africa Affairs to generate knowledge research projects This sub-project was initiated that increases the effectiveness primarily to explore the effects of health-related variables of (Dutch) donor policies and Growth–poverty nexus contributes to knowledge and (preventive and promotive The Growth–poverty nexus effective policies in developing measures such as vaccination project has three components: countries. The Secretariat of the and nutrition, spread of health two related to health and one Platform, which is responsible facilities, HIV/AIDS infection related to growth–poverty links for the Platform’s knowledge rates, malaria, etc.) on poverty as discussed in the following management, is being hosted by via their impact on economic sections. the African Studies Centre (ASC) growth in 10 African countries. in Leiden. It is a consortium Because empirical evidence made up of ASC, AERC, The Sub-project on on the interactions among Broker and the International understanding the health, economic growth and Institute of Social Studies (ISS/ links between growth poverty in Africa is lacking, EUR). and poverty reduction the research project on Health, in Africa economic growth and poverty The project seeks to identify the During the reporting period, reduction in Africa was expected nature of economic growth that stakeholder mapping in both to facilitate evidence-based results in poverty reduction. This Kenya and Mozambique policy responses to managing project is coordinated by Prof. in the areas of productive the African health crisis. The Andy MacKay and began in June employment, strategic actors project, which began in 2008 2007. It has 10 framework papers and social protection was and has eight framework papers and 13 country case studies: Two undertaken and reports and 15 country case studies, is each for Cameroon and Nigeria, finalized and submitted. The coordinated by Prof. David Sahn. and one each for Benin, Burkina Knowledge Platform Secretariat Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, organized a workshop for An edited manuscript of a book Guinea, Kenya, Malawi and the research consortia and a volume that contains selected Senegal.

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framework papers and country September 2014 began in May 2006 and has case studies was submitted in 8. The Institute of Statistical, 13 framework papers and 20 March 2014 to the University of Social and Economic country case studies. Nairobi Press with Prof. Sahn Research (ISSER), Ghana, 8 as the editor. It is expected to May 2014 Selected papers from the project be published under the AERC 9. Centre Autonome d’Etudes were submitted in January imprint in 2015. et de Renforcement 2014 to the Journal of African des Capacités pour le Development (JAD) to be Several grants have been Développement au Togo published in a special issue with awarded to national think tanks (CADERDT), Togo, 30 July Prof. Germano Mwabu as the to organize national stakeholder 2014 guest editor. Five papers have workshops where researchers 10. Action en Faveur de since been selected from among from this project got another l’Elimination du Travail des the thematic papers dealing opportunity to disseminate their Enfants au Niger (ONG with the issue of health and are research findings. The think AFETEN), Niger, 23 April 2014 currently under review by JAD. tanks are: 11. Economic Policy Research Prof. Mwabu will remain the 1. The Economic Policy Unit (EPRU), Sierra Leone editor of this special issue. Research Centre (EPRC), (date to be decided; delayed Uganda, 8 October 2013 by the Ebola outbreak) In an event held recently on the 2. The Nigerian Institute side-lines of the AfDB annual of Social and Economic The main challenge to this project meetings, a participant from Research (NISER), Nigeria, is that the research methodology the United Nations Population 19 November 2013 is difficult to comprehend. Fund (UNFPA) indicated that 3. Zimbabwean Economic However, the support received the research results from this Policy Analysis and from the steering committee has project have a very powerful Research Unit (ZEPARU), been very helpful. message—that reproductive Zimbabwe, 22 January 2014 health can now be looked at 4. Botswana Institute of Sub-project on as an investment with positive Development Policy reproductive health, impacts on economic growth Analysis (BIDPA), Botswana, economic growth and and poverty reduction rather 1 April 2014 poverty reduction in than as a population control 5. Centre d’Etudes et de Africa strategy. He commended AERC and the researchers for their Recherche sur les Analyses The purpose of the project good work and said that this is et Politiques Economiques was to investigate the complex a new vision that should have a (CERAPE), Congo interactions among reproductive positive impact on the advocacy Brazzaville, 30 April 2014 health, economic growth and functions of organizations like 6. Human Sciences Research poverty reduction in sub- UNFPA that are interested in Council (HSRC), South Saharan Africa, considering the promoting reproductive health Africa, 28 March 2014 initial conditions in each of the services in Africa and beyond. 7. The Kenya Institute for countries where case studies Public Policy Research and will be conducted. The project Analysis (KIPPRA), Kenya, 11

28 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m Objective 3 Facilitate universities to take full responsibility for the collaborative master’s programmes (CMAP)

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Facilitate universities to take full responsibility for the collaborative master’s programmes (CMAP)

his section of the report provides updates Economics, Health Economics and International on activities carried out in order to Economics. The examinations were subsequently Tsupport the collaborating universities conducted at the universities of Cape Town, Dar take full responsibility of the respective es Salaam, Ibadan and Yaoundé II between 11 collaborative postgraduate programmes – CMAP, February and 3 March 2014. A total of 17 students CMAAE and CPP. sat the examinations, which were then graded by internal and external examiners during the period Maintaining academic 18 March to 30 April 2014. Subsequently, the PhD Academic Board approved the results at its 26th excellence meeting held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 May 2014. Setting and grading of comprehensive examinations under The CPP Class of 2012 students, who had sat, but CPP failed, the JFE elective courses and comprehensive As part of the coursework requirement, examinations sat supplementary examinations in students write comprehensive examinations the respective units in August 2014. The scripts in microeconomics, macroeconomics and two were graded by internal examiners in September elective fields. To facilitate this activity, a meeting 2014 and the results were approved at a PhD of experts to set comprehensive examinations for Academic Advisory Board (AAB) meeting held on the CPP Class of 2012 students was held in Dar 2 February 2015. es Salaam, Tanzania, from 1 to 3 February 2014. Seven examination papers were set, namely, The meeting of the PhD Academic Advisory Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Board was held concurrently with that of experts Economics, Econometrics, Environmental to set comprehensive examinations for the CPP

Professor Lemma W. Senbet (centre) poses for a photograph with students from various African Universities who had congregated at Univesity of Pretoria in South Africa for a joint programme.

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Class of 2013 students held in JFE. The second meeting was Pieterse Duncan—CPP Class of Nairobi on 1–3 February 2015. held in November 2014 in 2009 graduate from University Eight examination papers Entebbe, Uganda, and involved of Cape Town were set (Microeconomics, the Committee on Programme “Before I joined CPP, I worked Macroeconomics, Development Evaluation and Institutional as a Project Manager, with Economics, Econometrics, Development, and the CMAP Kaiser Associates Economic Environmental Economics, Academic Advisory Board, which Development Practice. Upon Health Economics, International considered and approved the attaining my doctorate degree Economics and Public Sector 2014 JFE results. in 2013, I am working as Economics) and conducted Director, Microeconomic Policy at the host-degree awarding The Academic Sub-Committee at the National Treasury, South universities from 10 February of the CMAAE programme also Africa.” 2015 to 3 March 2015. Thereafter, held its meeting on 26 May 2014 electives and visiting lecturers the examinations were graded in Nairobi, Kenya, to consider for the 2014 JFE. On 2 February by internal examiners in March and approve the list of visiting 2015, the Executive Committee 2015 and sent to external lecturers, the venue for the 2014 considered and approved the examiners together with the SFSE and the external examiners supplementary examination JFE examinations for review. for the SFSE courses. This was results on behalf of the PhD Both results are scheduled to followed by the main Academic Academic Advisory Board. be presented for approval at the Advisory Board meeting held The decision of the Executive meeting of the PhD Academic on 15 October 2014 in Dar es Committee will be ratified Advisory Board in May 2015. Salaam, Tanzania to consider during the May 2015 meeting programme implementation. of the PhD Academic Advisory The second meeting of the Enhanced quality Board. Going forward, AERC Academic Sub-Committee and assurance through plans to consolidate or merge the Academic Advisory Board Academic Advisory some of the board meetings as was held on 27–28 January Board meetings part of enhancement of both 2015 in Kampala, Uganda, to During 2014/15, all the AAB operational and cost efficiency. meetings and their sub- consider and approve the 2014 committees were held as SFSE examination results. Supporting CMAP, planned in the three respective All the meetings went on CMAAE and CPP collaborative graduate smoothly and accomplished universities programmes. Under CMAP, two their mandate, paving the way Annual operating grants were back-to-back meetings were for implementation of the issued to all participating CMAP held. The set of meetings was programme in 2015/2016. Category B and C universities, held from 5 to 6 May 2014 in and to the eight CPP universities Nairobi, Kenya, and involved the Similarly, CPP Academic in support of their operations for Committee on Core and Elective Advisory Board meetings were the 2014/2015 academic year. Courses, and the Executive held on 13 May 2014 in Cape The grants cover programme Committee. The Executive Town, South Africa, to consider operating costs, allowances to Committee considered and and approve the 2014 JFE and university officials involved in approved the supplementary comprehensive examination programme implementation examination results for CMAP results for CPP Class of 2012. and fees for students (including 2013 JFE, as well as the list The meeting of the Committee thesis supervision fees). of visiting lecturers for JFE, on Core and Electives was held Expenditure on maintenance of paving the way for the 2014 on 14 May 2014 to consider the a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 31 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Ms. Sithole N. Lamie from Swaziland receiving a prize for being the best student at the SharedFacility for Specialization 2013 from Prof. Lemma W. Senbet, AERC Executive Director who presided on the award ceremony.

computers and other equipment Agro-Biotechnology (ILTAB) where two CMAAE faculty is also covered by the grants. project successfully presenting members in Ethiopia and Hence, among other things, final results of the project at Mozambique are undertaking the grants improve teaching a one-day workshop held at a study on impact assessment and research facilities at the the AERC premises on 26 and lessons learnt on the universities as part of AERC’s September 2014. The workshop intervention of rural financing institutional capacity building. was attended by, among others, by AFRACA. This project is the ILTAB coordinator Dr. the pilot phase for the AERC The Secretariat also renewed Claude Fauquet, and the interns’ engagement with AFRACA, and service grants to eight supervisor Dr. John Lynam. Ms. is expected to end in June 2015. universities for the CPP Class Ayele Yahnabeba, who is the The output from the survey work of 2011 and 2012 (universities only intern in the third cohort, is is expected in the form of policy of Benin, Cape Town, Cocody, attached to Hawassa National briefs and some case study Dar es Salaam, Ibadan, Research Institute in Ethiopia. reports from interns. Nairobi, Yaoundé II, and the In January 2015, the programme Witwatersrand). recruited four new interns Blended learning under the International Fund for and CMAAE mid-term Transitioning Agricultural Development-African review Rural and Agricultural Credit graduates into In an effort to re-examine Association (IFAD-AFRACA) policy analysis and the structure of CMAAE and project on Rural finance and employment through develop appropriate strategies knowledge management. This internship to reduce the delivery cost group of interns is attached to The programme continued of the programme, the AERC AFRACA country projects in to support internship, with Secretariat hired a platform Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland and the second cohort of interns development consultant Zambia. The project also has who have been under the in January 2015 to develop a survey research component International Laboratory for the delivery modalities

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before conducting a content and Melinda Gates Foundation. the training programme fully development workshop by April admitted University of Juba, 2015. As part of the 2015–2020 Graduation of South Sudan, as a Category A strategic plan the Training universities as (or non-accredited) university. Department plans to implement evidence of built This has already started yielding the blended learning modules institutional capacity fruit, with one student from to help overcome challenges As stipulated in the Strategic South Sudan being admitted at the SFSE and JFE in terms of Plan 2010–2015, AERC plans under the CMAAE programme at large student numbers and high to increase the number of CPP the University of Nairobi. costs to the programmes, and degree-awarding universities to ensure wider outreach of the from eight to 12 with three of Joint enforcement of programme. The ultimate goal is these earmarked for francophone standards through to teach at least 50% SFSE/JFE Africa for wider outreach monitoring and courses through the e-learning and coverage across the sensitization visits to platform by 2017/18. subcontinent. A total of three network universities universities have applied to and to under- On the CMAAE mid-term join the CPP degree-awarding represented countries review, this was successfully university status. These are: During the 2014/2015 completed in July 2014 through Addis Ababa University in financial year, a team from the a submission of evaluation Ethiopia, University of Botswana AERC Secretariat conducted report by the evaluators. in Botswana, and University of monitoring and sensitization Recommendations from the Abomey-Calavi in the Republic of visits to three CMAP report form an important Benin. universities, namely Addis component of the AERC 2015– Ababa University, Makerere 2020 Strategic Plan. The report Under CMAAE, the year University and University of Dar also forms the basis for ongoing witnessed accreditation of es Salaam, in November 2014. phase II funding from the Bill Haramaya University to host A similar monitoring visit was CMAAE core courses. The conducted in May 2014 to the Beatrice Wambui Muriithi, a accreditation mission (made up University of Cape Town, which young professional scientist of four AAB members and the is a CPP host-degree awarding and a CMAAE graduate from AERC Secretariat) undertook university. During the visits, Egerton University, says: “After evaluation of the university the Secretariat held meetings finishing CMAAE, I was awarded on 14–15 April 2014. The Sub- with the heads of department, a prestigious DAAD scholarship Committee report was positive teaching members of staff by the German Government and was formally approved and students. The Secretariat in the year 2010 to pursue a during the 15 October 2014 noted that the universities PhD course in Development meeting of the AAB, paving had sufficient infrastructural Economics at the Centre for the way for admission of and teaching capacity to Development Research (ZEF), Haramaya University as the offer graduate training and University of Bonn, Germany. eighth accredited department supervision of thesis research. I have also worked with the under CMAAE. Consequently, However, among the challenges International Livestock Research the university will commence faced by some universities are Institute (ILRI), and I am currently admission of CMAAE students in inadequate stock of relevant working with ICIPE as a socio- September 2015. textbooks and journals in the economist.” During the period 2014/15, libraries, and lack of adequate space and equipment in

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the computer laboratories to assessment mission to the period, the programme received accommodate the increasing Agostinho Neto University five new proposals, which were number of students. in Angola in October 2014, to presented at a side meeting evaluate whether the university held on 31 May 2014 during the Under the CMAAE, the is suitable to join the CMAP June 2014 biannual research Secretariat held a monitoring and and CMAAE network. At the workshop held in Accra, sensitization mission to three moment, the Eduardo Mondlane Ghana. The presentations were universities: Egerton University University in Mozambique is reviewed by biannual resource on 21 June 2014, Sokoine the only university from the persons, with four of the five University of Agriculture on 16 Lusophone countries in the proposals being approved as October 2014 and Makerere CMAP and CMAAE network. A work-in-progress. As part of the University on 27 January 2015. follow-up mission to finalize the full integration of CMAAE into All the missions were successful partnership with Agostinho Neto mainstream AERC research, this as the team held discussions University is planned for 2015. group of grantees will present with students and staff besides their work-in-progress within sensitizing potential students CMAAE thematic Group 5: Political Economy, about joining the AERC faculty research Natural Resource Management programmes. support and Agricultural Policy Issues at To facilitate contribution to the biannual thematic research workshop in December 2015. In an effort to ensure policy, research and networking, inclusiveness in capacity the CMAAE programme building for policy making in continued to support faculty Lusophone countries, the AERC members to undertake empirical Secretariat conducted a needs research. During the reporting

Students listening to speeches during the official launch of the shared facility for specialization 2013 at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Participation of female students has increased in the recent years

34 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m Objective 4 Enhance communication, outreach and policy promotion

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Enhance Communications, Outreach and Policy Engagement

were represented at the forum. The AERC Publicizing AERC through Executive Director delivered an opening speech policy outreach and other by highlighting the significance of the topic, activities which stemmed from an AERC/WFP collaborative project on smallholder agriculture. Senior Policy Seminar XVII “This senior policy seminar on agriculture in on “Agriculture in Africa’s Africa’s transformation provided a timely forum Transformation: The Role of for dialogue between senior policy makers and Smallholder Farmers” thought leaders, and among policy makers Senior policy makers from sub-Saharan Africa themselves. This debate was conducted in the assembled in Maputo, Mozambique on 26-27 best of AERC traditions, guided by rigour and March 2015 to discuss “Agriculture in Africa’s evidence. This is where research meets policy. Transformation: The Role of Smallholder Farmers.” The seminar was inspired by a productive This was a successful policy seminar which ended partnership between AERC and WFP on the P4P with a declaration. The conference, which saw pilot programme,” said Prof Lemma W. Senbet, participation of 102 senior policy makers from Executive Director of AERC. across the region, was jointly hosted by AERC and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) with Media coverage support from the Bank of Mozambique and The AERC Secretariat made significant effort the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to ensure that the seminar drew extensive Mozambique. More than 25 African countries media coverage, with the result that leading

African Senior Policy Makers and participants pose for a photograh during the Senior Policy Semina XVII held in Maputo, Mozambique on the theme “Agriculture in Africa Transformation: The Role of small holder farmers.

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local newspapers, as well Other television stations that got 112 followers on twitter with as television and FM radio covered the workshop were TV3, a total of 188 re-tweets. In total, stations allocated considerable Independent Television (ITV), there were 7,357 impressions. space and time to enlighten and Metro TV. The Daily Graphic, Interviews with presenters were the Mozambicans on the one of the two state-owned daily broadcast on Zambian television event. The O Pais, Domingo, newspapers in Ghana and the stations. and The Noticias all had paper with the highest circulation, articles about the seminar. The Ghanaian Times, Daily News, AERC among top The Mozambican National the Guardian, Business Times, think tanks Broadcasting Corporation, (a The Citizen, and Daily Guide AERC has once again featured national television station) with all carried articles about the among the top think tanks in a massive reach also had slots conference. the Global Go To Think Tank between their programmes Index (GGTTI). AERC is ranked for the seminar. The television As for radio, Citi FM, and Ghana first in sub-Saharan Africa and station also carried interviews Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) 25th globally in the category with seminar participants. These Radio (a state-owned radio of International Development interviews received more than station with satellite stations Think Tanks Worldwide 2014. three minutes of airplay on the in all the regional capitals in AERC is a premier capacity national broadcaster. Ghana) carried the story, which building institution for policy was also available on the GBC oriented economic research AERC biannual website at http://www.gbcghana. and training in sub-Saharan research workshops: com/1.1750502. Peace FM, Joy Africa. AERC was second in this June and December News, Hot FM and Adom FM particular category in the last 2014 also fully covered the meeting. ranking. In the new category of The plenary sessions of the The sessions were also streamed International Economic Policy AERC biannual research live and AERC network members Think Tanks, AERC is ranked workshops held in June and who were not able to participate number two in sub-Saharan December 2014, on “Public physically were able to follow the Africa and 35th globally. In the Finance: Tax and Expenditure in proceedings and send in their narrow category of economic Africa and Youth Employment: comments through Twitter. See policy focused think tanks Challenges and Opportunities” also: http://www.ghana.gov.gh/ in sub-Saharan Africa, AERC respectively, attracted good index.php/2012-02-08-08-32- emerged second, and overall it media presence and coverage. 47/general-news/5762-african- was placed in position 11 out of Proceedings of the opening and economicresearch-consortium- the 469 think tanks assessed. the plenary sessions received workshop-opens- for additional The global launch of the 2014 extensive media coverage as coverage of the workshop. Go To Think Tank Index was local media houses and news hosted by Centre for Strategic agencies in Accra, Ghana, and During the December 2014 and International Studies (CSIS) Lusaka, Zambia, covered the plenary in Lusaka, the Times of in Washington, D.C., USA, on events. Zambia, ZNBC Television, Daily 22 January 2015. About 80 Mail, ZANIS, ZBS, 5 FM, MUVI organizations in 60 cities and At the June 2014 plenary, Television, Comet Radio, and HOT 50 countries around the world, state-owned Ghana Television FM had articles or clips about took part in this simultaneous (GTV), which prides itself for the workshop on air. AERC also launch. AERC was one of the providing coverage throughout had the event on live stream, organizations chosen to take the country, covered the event. with a total of 139 viewers. We part in this live event. a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 37 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

AERC attains maximum five star Transparency award The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) was conferred the supreme five (5) star rating by Transparify. Transparify is an initiative devoted to advocating for greater think tank transparency worldwide, including financial transparency. It rates the extent to which think tanks publicly disclose their sources of funding, the funding levels, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u (foreground), Governor Central Bank Kenya, listening to proceedings at the AERC Senior Policy Seminar. These are annual forums and specific research projects, convened by AERC that provide high level African Policy makers the opportunity in an open and timely manner, to come together to learn about results of AERC research and exchange policy in addition to disclosure on experiences with each other. website. Transparify assessed Theses dissemination WFP-P4P Data 169 think tanks worldwide for workshops its 2015 report and only 31 of Analysis and To empower smallholder farmers these, including AERC, achieved Knowledge with best practices and policy the maximum 5-star rating. This makers with evidence-based Management Hub means that AERC is among recommendation for policy, the (DAKMAH) Project the global leaders in terms of CMAAE programme successfully AERC has since March 2011 financial transparency, a select held two theses dissemination partnered with WFP to establish group that includes some of workshops during the 2014/2015 and run a Data Analysis and the best-known names in the period. The first workshop was Knowledge Management Hub field. AERC is in the top 20% held at Egerton University, (known as “the Hub”) in support of think tanks worldwide, and Kenya, on 24–25 June 2014, of the Purchase for Progress apparently they only found while the second one was held (P4P) pilot programme. The two highly transparent think on 26 January 2015 at Speke partnership was planned to tanks in Africa this year, both of Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. run for a period of four years them from Kenya namely AERC The workshop at Egerton had ending March 2015 and was and the Institute of Economic a total of 102 participants, intended to secure high quality Affairs (IEA). “We are delighted while the Kampala workshop monitoring and evaluation with this top transparency attracted 45 participants. As (M&E) technical support for the ranking. AERC endeavors to usual, the attendees were drawn WFP/P4P programme. Under observe best global practices from smallholder farmers, this partnership, AERC technical in everything it does, and farmer group representatives, support to WFP had to deliver on it is encouraging that our extension officers, policy the following objectives: outstanding efforts are receiving makers, NGOs, local media • Establishing a solid global acknowledgment,” said and theses supervisors. The foundation for the Prof. Lemma W. Senbet, AERC 2014/2015 workshops bring the measurement of the impacts Executive Director. total number of dissemination of P4P; workshops held since 2011 to 13.

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• Promoting the accuracy, from WFP country offices are (iii) Data portal accurately collated, cleaned and efficiency, and depth of the One of the major activities made available to interested reporting of the P4P M&E under the AERC collaboration students, researchers and results; with WFP/P4P is developing development agencies for their • Relieving WFP and partner a web-based data portal with use. To this end, all the country staff of the pressure and the aim of making the data offices, which have received constraints of data analysis widely available, sharing technical support from the Hub, and reporting; and disseminating lessons have completed their final round • Enhancing the objectivity learned from the P4P pilot. of surveys for both households of P4P data analysis thus The development of the data and farmer organizations, ensuring that the learning portal started in 2012, and has except Ghana and Guatemala. through P4P is not only been online since July 2014 To date, the Hub has cleaned relevant but seen as (http://www.aercdevdata.org/). the final survey data sets for credible and legitimate by The data portal will share the six countries—Burkina Faso, stakeholders and other lessons learned from the pilot El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, intended targets of the project as well as the data Malawi and Tanzania—using lessons learnt; generated over the five years of the harmonized data cleaning • Facilitating deeper the pilot programme. For this to procedures developed. This exploration of the happen, the preparation of the cleaning process is expected P4P results, including data dissemination guidelines to be completed during the comparison across countries started in October 2014 and was course of 2015 for the remaining and regions; finalized in February 2015. The countries and the data will be • Providing valid data to feed Hub is working with the Living uploaded onto the data portal. into policy development Standards Measurement Study and advocacy processes at (LSMS) team from the World national, regional and global (ii) Descriptive report Bank on the development of the levels; and, writing data portal to benchmark with Much of the Hub’s effort since international best practices and • Contributing to the capacity the second half of 2014 was standards. development of a centre of concentrated on finalizing expertise that would have the baseline and follow-up a recognized value as an (iv) Dissemination and reports to be shared with the indigenous knowledge validation team conducting the final repository of lessons and Since the inception of the evaluation of the P4P pilot. best practices in pro- AERC/WFP project in 2011, Thirteen baseline reports were smallholder agricultural and the Hub in collaboration with finalized and submitted to the market development. the P4P HQ has organized six P4P coordination unit in Rome. technical workshops: i) Technical Nine out of 12 follow-up reports The following are the main Workshop for Internal Validation were finalized and submitted accomplishments of the project of P4P data in Nairobi, Kenya to the P4P coordination unit . It since its inception in March 2011: (30 January–5 February 2012); is expected that the remaining ii) Academic Peer Review follow-up reports for DRC, and Validation Workshop in (i) Data Rwanda and Zambia will be Zambia (29–31 August 2012); A key deliverable under the finalized by March 2015, after iii) P4P instrument Review DAKMAH contract was to incorporating the final year of Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya ensure that P4P data received data collection.

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(4–5 February 2013); iv) Latin share the results of the project late 2014. America Validation Workshop will be sought, initially in the form • AERC Special Project on ICT in El Salvador (16–18 April 2013); of a series of publications or a and Economic Development v) P4P Special Session at AERC book volume with a separate in Africa. This volume was Biannual Workshop in Accra, synthesis report accessible to processed for publication Ghana (4 June 2014); and vi) P4P policy makers. and published on the AERC Data Validation Workshop in website for wider circulation. Accra, Ghana (9–11 June 2014). Publications • Impact of China and India on Sub-Saharan Africa has A P4P side event at the biannual Thematic research been edited and typeset. research workshop (Accra, papers The manuscript was shared June 2014) was the first of its with Moran Publishers Twenty (20) research papers type organized by the Hub Limited for possible were produced and distributed and the P4P coordination unit publication under joint during the period under review in Rome since the inception copyright, but negotiations (see Table 3). of the project. The goal of the did not bear fruit. This side event was to expose the volume was then processed AERC network of researchers Books and Reports and published on the AERC • The Macroeconomics of to the information and data website for wider circulation. Africa’s Recent Growth. This that has been collected and is volume was drawn from final available for further analysis research papers developed Promoting regional on the outcomes of P4P. The under the auspices and side event set the stage for and global support of the Thematic the joint organization (AERC/ linkages and Research Programme of WFP) of the AERC Senior Policy partnerships AERC. The book is edited Seminar (SPS), which took by Prof. Ibi Ajayi and place in Maputo, Mozambique, Efforts to promote linkages Shantayanan Devarajan and on 26–27 March 2015 on the continued during this period was published as a joint theme Agriculture in Africa’s with the aim of enabling AERC venture between the AERC Transformation: The Role of to strengthen the quality of its and the World Bank. It was Smallholder Farmers. research outputs and to ensure delivered for distribution in adoption of best research late 2014. The future of DAKMAH practices for research and policy. • Capital Flight and Tax As mentioned previously, Such linkages not only improve Havens. The volume is an the data portal will provide a the quality of research outputs, outcome of a Collaborative platform for AERC to begin but also deepen capacity effort in the best of AERC’s sharing data with African within the AERC network traditions, and focuses on researchers and students. AERC through synergetic interaction. capital flight from Africa; a is expected to build upon the In addition, collaboration key issue that African policy portal to share data and other with world class academic makers are grappling with. research material not available institutions continued as a The book is edited by Prof. elsewhere for purposes of means of enhancing the quality Ibi Ajayi and Prof. Leonce strengthening policy research of graduate training in sub- Ndikumana. It was published in the sub region. It is also Saharan Africa. Collaboration by the Oxford University expected that an avenue to with existing partners Press (OUP) and delivered in

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Table 3: New AERC research papers published RP Author Titles of research papers 266 Abou Kane Analysis of Labour Market Participation in Senegal 267 Mohammed Amidu What Influences Banks’ Lending in Sub-Saharan Africa? 268 Jonathan Mpundu Chipili Central Bank Intervention and Exchange Rate Volatility in Zambia 269 Ameth Saloum Ndiaye Capital Flight from the Franc Zone: Exploring the Impact on Economic Growth 270 Barthelemy M. Senou Dropping Out of School in the Course of the Year in Benin: A Micro-econometric Analysis 271 Niringyiye Aggrey Determinants of Private Investment Behaviour in Ugandan Manufacturing Firms 272 Luc Nembot Ndeffo, Tagne Determinants of Access to Education in Cameroon Kuelah Jean Réné and Makoudem Téné Marienne 273 Zakarya Keita Current Account Sustainability in the West African Economic and Monetary Union Countries 274 Wumi Olayiwola, Olusanjo An Empirical Assessment of Old Age Support in sub-Saharan Oyinyole and S.L. Akinrola Africa: Evidence from Ghana 275 Laurent Ndjanyou and Characteristics and Determinants of Child Labour in Cameroon Sébastien Djiénouassi 276 Mohamed Jalloh Private Sector Investment in Sierra Leone: An Analysis of the Macroeconomic Determinants 277 Bruno L. Yawe Technical Efficiency and Productivity of Primary Schools in Uganda 278 Samuel Fambon Comparisons of Urban and Rural Poverty Determinants in Cameroon 279 Akanni O. Lawanson Impact of External Debt Accumulation and Capital Flight on Economic Growth of West African Countries 280 Asumani Guloba and Edward Female Education and Maternal Health Care Utilization in Bbaale Uganda 281 Ibrahim Kasirye HIV/AIDS Sero-prevalence and Socio-economic Status: Evidence from Uganda 282 Edward Bbaale Female Education, Labour Force Participation and Fertility: Evidence from Uganda 283 Robert Nkendah, Chantal Estimating the Informal Cross-border Trade in Central Africa Beatrice Nzouessin and Njoupouognigni Moussa 284 Eric Kehinde Ogunleye Health and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries 285 Kamden Cyrille Bergaly and Effects of Collective Marketing by Farmers’ Organizations on Melachio Tameko Andre Cocoa Farmers’ Price in Cameroon

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Other AERC publications • Senior Policy Seminar XIV Report: A report titled Health, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa was published and distributed to the network. • Senior Policy Seminar XV Policy Brief. A policy brief titled Youth and Unemployment in Africa was published in January 2014 and distributed. • Senior Policy Seminar XV Report: A report titled Youth and Unemployment in Africa was published in January 2014 and distributed. • Senior Policy Seminar XV Papers: A book titled Youth and Unemployment in Africa was published in February 2014 and distributed. • Senior Policy Seminar XVI Policy Brief: A policy brief titled Capital Flight from Africa was published and distributed. • Senior Policy Seminar XVI Report: A report titled Capital Flight from Africa was published and distributed.

Policy briefs A total of 24 policy briefs were produced from the collaborative research projects during the period and posted on the AERC website for wider circulation. The policy briefs are AERC publications that provide a concise, readable summary of a specific research paper that is particularly intended for use by policy makers.

Other important publications and promotional materials

Updates from the AERC Executive Director’s desk Two AERC Updates were circulated to network members and other stakeholders. This is intended to be a regular activity in which the Executive Director updates AERC network members twice a year on recent and upcoming activities.

AERC Annual Report The AERC 2013/14 Annual Report was published, and distributed to stakeholders.

Newsletter Issue Number 30 The AERC Newsletter Issue Number 30 was published and distributed to network members and other stakeholders.

Capacity building through grant support During the period, AERC awarded several grants to support conference participation, national policy workshops and professional associations as provided in Annex C.

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through various mechanisms significant milestone during this a prototype will be developed continued while memoranda of period was the development as a mechanism for gathering understanding were signed with of the ICT strategy, which has requirements and enable the following new partners: provided a reference point incremental development of • The Human Science to harness ICT in enhancing the system. With the ongoing Research Council (HSRC), research, capacity building and work on automating paper South Africa; operations in AERC. This strategy submission, reviews and • The Poverty Reduction, seeks to increase the integration publication cycle, this process Equity and Growth Network of technology into AERC has been planned for the (PEGNet), Kiel World operations and programmes for 2015/16 fiscal year. Institute, Germany; greater efficiency and added • South Africa Institute for value. ii. AERC alumni International Affairs (SAIIA); platform • Understanding Children’s i. Online paper The online AERC alumni Work (UCW) programme, submission system platform thus far has grown in which is an inter-agency The online paper submission subscriptions to 133 registered research cooperation system is geared towards members. This follows initiative involving the increasing the efficiency of the continued outreach by the International Labour research management cycle by interim steering committee, Organization (ILO), the automating the paper submission including the use of automated United Nations Children’s and review process. This will email campaign/marketing Fund (UNICEF) and the result in reduced turnaround tools, to target individual World Bank; time, enhanced monitoring, network members. The • The African Studies interactive communication and implementation of a blog facility Centre, Yunnan University, transparency of operations. A and a content management China, under the China– pilot system is currently running system to automate the news Africa 10+10 think tank to test the submission of new content life cycle is under Programme; and proposals through an automated way. This would ensure timely • Global Development workflow managing submissions publishing of news content Network on extended and reviews. The next step will be generated directly by the alumni partnership of research and the automation and integration of whilst maintaining adequate capacity building. the publication process into the quality controls. workflow. Information and iii. Digitizing AERC Additionally, following a events and social Communications proposal to collaborate with media Technology the Partnership for Economic The implementation of the AERC From the outset of the 2014/15 Policy (PEP) on the development events portal has played an fiscal year, the Information and of a Research Management integral role in AERC’s agenda Communications Technology System (RMS), an evaluation towards paperless workshops. (ICT) unit has made significant was conducted to determine The portal hosts electronic efforts to increase efficiency the viability of this system as a versions of all workshop and create new value through long-term cost-effective solution. material thereby providing an improved alignment and Based on this evaluation and aggregated information resource integration with operations upon commissioning through the for participants. Integrated and programme activities. A internal procurement process, links to AERC social media a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 43 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

platforms, including Twitter v. AERC information Backup and disaster recovery and blogs, promote continuous systems move to the has also been augmented by engagement of participants on public/Internet cloud cloud storage facilitating an the workshop’s content and additional layer of backup to other pertinent topics informing the offsite processing facility In the wake of stable and cost- future research agenda. in Arusha, Tanzania. This effective Internet services in Additionally, the live webcasting move follows the successful the region, AERC is now well of AERC biannual research implementation of internal core positioned to take full advantage workshops and SPS has allowed computing applications on of public/Internet cloud-based a global audience to participate shared hardware infrastructure technologies. Leveraging in these AERC flagship events. that has allowed cost savings economies of scale, cloud-based by minimizing investments services offer global accessibility, in capital intensive hardware iv. Digital library scalability, reliability and purchases. This public/Internet Progress has been made improved performance at a low cloud implementation is a towards the library digitization cost through well-defined rented hybrid of both local on premise project including the activation services. Driven by the need systems and a virtual AERC and integration of an online for cost reduction, enhanced Internet cloud ICT infrastructure. subscription to the Kenya productivity, collaboration This approach will make the Library and Information Services and ability to meet dynamic most of public cloud advantages Consortium. This provides programme requirements, the whilst maintaining critical local access to online databases Internet cloud presents an instances of systems to mitigate comprising over 50,000 journal optimal solution. This strategy control and security risks. titles from renowned publishers has seen the implementation including Springer, Emerald of Office 365, a cloud-based Insight, Wiley Online Library and application for Microsoft Office The AERC website OUP. tools enabling file storage, The AERC website now has email processing and archiving, 261 research papers, 63 policy collaboration, web conferencing briefs, newsletters, annual among other productivity reports, and other materials. enhancing tools. Posting of AERC publications, announcements of events, notifications and other relevant Figure 2: Breakdown of website traffic sessions information to the website is by continent for the period an ongoing process to ensure users have the most up-to-date information about AERC and AERC activities. Figure 2 shows the monthly average website hits for the fiscal period 2014/15. Currently, a solution to link to RePec is being worked out to solve compatibility issues between the RePec and AERC platform.

44 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Table 4: Most downloaded publications in 2014/15 Publication name Category RP No. Downloads Import Demand in Ghana: Structure, Behaviour and Research RP233.pdf 3565 Stability Papers Determinants of Venture Capital in Africa: Cross Research RP237.pdf 3125 Section Evidence Papers The Effect of Price Stability on Real Sector Research RP228.pdf 2965 Performance in Ghana Papers Government Capital Spending and Financing and its Research RP236.pdf 2458 Impact on Private Investment in Kenya: 1964-2006 Papers An Empirical Evaluation of Trade Potential in Research RP235.pdf 2274 Southern African Development Community Papers Efficiency Wage, Rent-sharing Theories and Wage Research RP222.pdf 2169 Determination in the Manufacturing Sector in Papers Nigeria Rural Non-Farm Incomes and Poverty Reduction in Research RP224.pdf 2074 Nigeria Papers Government Wage Review Policy and Public-Private Research RP223.pdf 1986 Sector Wage Differential in Nigeria Papers Volatility of Resource Inflows and Domestic Research RP221.pdf 1547 Investment in Cameroon Papers Urban Youth Labour Supply and Employment Policy Research RP240.pdf 1168 in Côte d’Ivoire Papers Trade Liberalization Financing and its Impact on Research RP234.pdf 823 Poverty and Income Distribution in Ghana Papers Factors Influencing Technical Efficiencies among Research RP206.pdf 779 Selected Wheat Farmers in Uasin Gishu District, Papers Kenya Investment in Technology and Export Potential of Research RP231.pdf 772 Firms in Southwest Nigeria Papers The Determinants of Private Investment in Benin: A Research RP209.pdf 748 Panel Data Analysis Papers

Table 5: Most visited pages in 2014/15 Pages Hits Announcements 24,325 AERC Overview 17, 584 AERC News 12,354 Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP) in Economics Overview 10,874 CMAAE overview 7,698 Research overview 6,587 Training overview 4,314

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 45 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e Objective 5 Strengthen and diversify the AERC resource base

46 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Strengthen and Diversify the AERC Resource Base

s outlined in the Programme of Work were seven temporary support staff bringing the and Budget 2014/15, the focus this total work force at AERC to 48. However, several Ayear included: transforming the staff changes occurred during the period. The internal processes for increased operational Manager, CMAAE, Dr. George Owuor, tendered efficiency and effectiveness of activities across his resignation which took effect in March 2015. the Consortium; strengthening the performance The recruitment for the position commenced in management and monitoring systems; September 2014 and Dr. Mark Korir was identified strengthening financial management processes to fill the position. Dr. Korir was the Head of and systems; and ensuring resource mobilization Economics Department at Moi University in efforts are sustained and expanded. Similarly, the Kenya and joined AERC on 1 April 2015. Following development of the AERC Strategic Plan 2015– the departure of the Accountant during the first 2020 was a key activity for the year. quarter, Ms. Pamela Kilwake joined AERC on 1 October 2014 from KIPPRA, where she was an Assistant Accountant. Ms. Anna Owino, also Transforming human resource, joined AERC, in November 2014, as Personal administration and finance Assistant to the Executive Director, following the processes for efficient service departure of Ms. Roberta Muigai, who left the delivery organization to pursue personal interests.

Management and staff changes Staff development The Consortium continued to operate with a During the period, two staff members participated staff complement of 35. The Data Analysis and in a conference titled International Conference Knowledge Management Hub (DAKMAH) project on ICT Development for Development, Education had a total of six staff members. Additionally there and Training. As AERC looks into e-learning, this

Hearty Laugh: Prof. Augustine Langyintuo, World Bank and Prof Lemma W. Senbet share a joke during one of AERC’s meetings. a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 47 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

course is useful in building performance management to brainstorm on the proposed our internal capacity in this system. procurement processes aligned area and exposing us to the to the Procurement Manual that various technologies available. Procurement processes was approved by the Executive One staff member attended a The new procurement policies Committee in March 2014 as a three-day procurement training and procedures as approved working document. The staff course organized by the African by the Executive Committee of engaged in discussions on Capacity Building Foundation the Board in March 2014 are the proposed pillars for the (ACBF) in Johannesburg, South now under implementation. For 2015–2020 strategic plan and Africa. In-house training in effective implementation of the gave suggestions for input procurement was also held new policies and procedures, into the draft document. The and facilitated by ACBF. a Procurement Consultant seminar also provided an At the same time, Damaris was engaged to assist in the opportunity for team building Michoma, Procurement development of procurement and bonding among staff. A Administrator, undertook systems and processes, and second staff seminar was held in the first of the procurement to mentor and build internal October 2014 at Simba Lodge in certification examinations in capacity of staff on procurement Naivasha. It was a two-day team November 2014. The period for a period of six months. The building exercise with several also saw Bertha Chedeye, the Human Resources Administrator engaging activities. The seminar Programme Assistant for the was re-assigned to handle the also provided a forum for staff CMAAE programme, graduate function of procurement and has to discuss the outcome of the with a bachelor’s degree while already sat the first examinations staff satisfaction survey and Charles Owino was awarded a in the process of acquiring the brainstorm on ways to improve PhD in Communications and requisite certifications. There the work environment and make Information Studies. is continuous consultation and AERC a better place to work. feedback with staff as the new Performance procedures are implemented Staff satisfaction management to ensure that there is clear survey The process of performance understanding of what is Two staff satisfaction surveys management was reviewed expected and adherence to the have been undertaken in the internally to ensure that set guidelines. Procurement past two years. This year’s (2014) performance is matched with plans have been developed results indicate a drop from last rewards. This began with for the Secretariat. These year (2013). Senior Management standardization of performance plans serve as a guide for the has discussed the report measurement for staff in the procurement unit and allow for with the consultants, (IPSOS same level and with the same frequent review of activities as Synovate) and further examined nature of activities. Various per the programme of work and the tools and areas that have internal sessions have been budget. contributed to the drop. Change scheduled to fine-tune the management is among major assessment forms. Non- Staff seminar contributors, but reading the performance reward initiatives A staff seminar was held in report suggests other important were shared with staff during May 2014 at the Boma Hotel elements as well: dissatisfaction the October 2014 staff seminar. in Nairobi, Kenya. The one-day with the current performance These will be enhanced and seminar provided an opportunity instrument and resistance applied alongside the improved for staff to discuss the draft AERC to being evaluated under strategic plan for 2015–2020 and this system this year; lack of

48 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

AERC members of staff enjoying a game during a team building session.

growth opportunities and flat input on the issues raised in related to the fund in terms of structure; technology; and lack the survey for presentation its administration, investments, of incentive-based pay. to Management. Staff and compliance and appointment Management had an opportunity of service providers. During the Management has introduced to discuss some of the issues period, the trustees approved several positive changes, mainly arising out of the survey during the 2013 financial statements of to enhance transparency, the October staff seminar. the Fund. openness and inclusiveness. Among these changes are being Staff Committee The quarterly review meetings more prudent in managing costs Management continues to with the Board of Trustees and related to travel and per diems, facilitate activities of the Staff service providers were held at and strengthening the contract Committee, which also serves the end of each quarter. The renewal processes. To enable as an alternative channel of members’ Annual General Management address the staff communication for staff. The Meeting was held on 20 June issues adequately, a number of following members continue 2014. The meeting provided a group sessions have been held to serve as the officials: Chair, forum to present the Fund’s to further probe areas that may Damaris Michoma; Secretary, audited accounts for 2013. It be of concern. It is anticipated Emma Rono; Treasurer, Lamiku also served as an avenue to that the information generated Kidamba. The role and mandate educate the members on the would enable Management to of the staff evaluation committee latest developments in the adequately address the key is under review to determine the social security sector and the areas for improvement. However, most effective modality to make management of retirement Management will continue with the committee a more effective benefits. During the period, a the reform process and culture channel for staff to provide new member, Susan Miyengi, change within the Secretariat, feedback. was elected to the Board of as this will have a long-term Trustees to replace Mathew positive effect on the image Staff Provident Fund Maiyo who left the organization. of the organization. Following The regulatory body for the The Staff Provident Fund is the exercise, a consultant was provident and pension schemes managed by a Board of Trustees tasked with carrying out focus requires that all Boards of comprising staff members whose group discussions to get better Trustees are trained and role is to oversee all matters a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 49 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

certified. This year all the Board strengthening internal controls made by Ziegner Technologies of Trustee members attended and any areas where weaknesses Consultants, who provide the certification training and are noted. A finance and systems support for Sage MIP, but to were certified as Trustees. It is review workshop was carried out no avail. The weakness in the expected that with the training in September 2014 to discuss MIP system has been raised and certification, the Board the issues raised from the audit as a concern by various audits of Trustees will be able to and to address general work including the recent ACBF audit better manage the day to day processes in an effort to enhance mission. Inadequate support operations of the fund. efficiency. Recommendations and training have thus resulted and time lines for implementation in the underutilization of the Strengthen were also agreed upon. system. financial management The interim audit for the 2014/15 To facilitate integration financial year took place in with other processes like and reduce risk February 2015 and formed part procurement, an Enterprise exposure of the statutory audit that took Resource Planning (ERP) place in May 2015. The final audit system, would be required. Audits will include the specialized audits The system’s requirements The statutory audit for 2013/14 for the World Bank SDI project and mapping of processes was conducted in May 2014 and ACBF audits for CPP and have been developed and by the Consortium’s external CMAAE. The audited reports the procurement process has auditors, Ernst and Young. The will be presented for approval commenced. It is envisaged audit reports were presented in the July 2015 meeting of the that a reputable firm would have and approved by the Executive Executive Committee of the been identified by early April Committee of the Board in AERC Board. 2015 to enable implementation July 2014. Thereafter, the process in modular stages approved audited accounts were The Microsoft commence. This would submitted to all funders along Information Product transform the current manual with the AERC published annual (MIP) Accounting processes, enhance efficiency report for the same period. At System and reduce costs of paperwork. the same time, the US Internal The current system used for Funding support for the Revenue Service (IRS) returns bookkeeping and financial procurement of an ERP system were completed and submitted reporting is the Sage Microsoft has been provided by Sida. to ensure compliance with the Information Product (MIP) registration requirements. fund accounting system. The Global Development system has been working as Network financial The Special Audit of ACBF for a standalone alongside other review CMAAE and CPP was also systems, which include the The Global Development carried out in May 2014. In Grants Management System Network (GDN) undertakes preparation for the main audit, (GMS) that is used to keep periodic reviews of its grantees an interim audit for 2013/14 was grantee and payee details and in fulfilment of the funding carried out in February 2014. print payment vouchers. Efforts conditions of the World Bank, The outputs of the audit include to link the two systems in the one of its key donors. A financial management letters which past to eliminate duplication review of AERC was undertaken provide recommendations for of efforts in data input were by a GDN team on 28–29 April

50 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

2014. The review confirmed Evaluations of in June 2014. The external that AERC has a sound internal evaluators presented their report control system in place and well AERC programmes to the special meeting of the defined finance, procurement and development AERC Board that was held in and other relevant policies of the new Nairobi, Kenya, on 14 November and procedures. However, the strategic plan 2014. review noted weaknesses in the AERC grant management Evaluation of the Development of AERC system that must be addressed, Strategic Plan for Strategic Plan 2015– such as the need to reduce 2010–2015 2020 the period between the end of To guide our future programme The development of the new the grant and the time when a focus and delivery for more strategic plan has involved grantee is expected to refund impact, a systematic review of the wide consultations with a unspent funds under the grant. AERC Strategic Plan 2010–2015 broad range of stakeholders The review noted that there was was commissioned by the Board and has also been informed a need to provide additional of Directors in 2013. Prof. John by recent evaluations and clauses in the current grant Loxley, University of Manitoba, recommendations. Following agreement, including a clause Canada, and Dr. Caleb Fundanga, the presentation of the draft to indemnify AERC against Executive Director, MEFIM, framework of the plan to the any actions by the grantee were recruited to undertake AERC Board in March 2014, in implementing activities the evaluation. This was done the draft AERC strategic plan funded by the AERC grant; and alongside the review of the for 2015–2020 was presented another to oblige grantees to thematic research programme to the Programme Committee undertake only original work to undertaken by two consultants, at its June 2014 meeting. The safeguard against plagiarism. namely Prof. Stephen O’Connell, Committee, whose role is to Management has taken Swarthmore University, USA, and set the agenda and goals of these recommendations into Dr. Dominique Njinkeu, the World the AERC research and training consideration and will review Bank, USA. A mid-term review programmes, in consultation their implementation on a of the CMAAE programme was with the Executive Director as periodic basis. also conducted concurrently by per AERC by-laws, provided Dr. Alex F. McCalla, University of valuable input on the draft ACBF, World Bank and California-Davis, USA, and Prof. plan that was presented to Sida joint mission Hans P. Binswanger-Mkhize, the Executive Committee of A joint mission of ACBF, the formerly at the World Bank and the Board in July 2014. Based World Bank and Sida was currently a visiting professor at on the comments received, undertaken in May 2014 to the University of Pretoria, South Management revised the plan, monitor the progress of the Africa. resulting in a shorter version that AERC programme activities was shared with the Executive funded under the ACBF The evaluation reports have Committee in September 2014. partnership. The mission been submitted. The reports A special meeting of the Board provided a forum to jointly considered comments made on was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in and critically analyse the the draft reports following their November 2014 to review the programmes’ achievements presentation to the Executive draft strategy. The ultimate and challenges and consider Committee and the Board of target is to present the finalized priorities of the partnership in Directors in March 2014 and AERC Strategic Plan 2015–2020 future. to the Programme Committee for approval by the AERC Board a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 51 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

in March 2015. The special report of AERC’s proposal. As a meeting of the Board to review meeting of the Board provided a result, a mission to prepare the the draft strategy held in forum for AERC to seek support appraisal report was undertaken November 2014, AERC has from existing donors for the new in October 2014 and negotiations since then submitted funding strategy with effect from April on this funding are ongoing. It is proposals to Norad and Sida in 2015. expected that the project would February 2015 requesting their be presented for approval during support for the new strategy. Resource the next AfDB Board meeting. The Executive Director visited mobilization Sida offices in Stockholm in In related efforts, the Executive February 2015 to discuss their Director visited DFID on 25 support to the new strategy. Deepening The World Bank, in February partnership and September 2014, where he held meetings with the DFID 2015, confirmed the approval of sustaining existing funding to AERC for a period of funders Chief Economist, Prof. Stefan Dercon, and the Growth and two years and has shared a draft Efforts to increase the resources Research Team, the focal unit funding agreement to support available for programme in DFID responsible for support AERC with US$200,000 for the implementation continued to to AERC. Similar meetings were current fiscal year. be prioritized throughout the held in October 2014 with the period. A grant agreement in World Bank and the United A concept note submitted to support of core programmes for States Agency for International the Bill and Melinda Gates SEK18 million (US$2.7 million) Development (USAID), in Foundation for funding from Sida was signed in April Washington, D.C., as well as CMAAE Phase II received 2014, to provide 18 months with Norad and Danida, in Oslo favourable feedback. Related bridging support to the end of and Copenhagen respectively. A to this, the AERC Executive the current strategy. The Danish meeting was also held with Sida Director and the Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Nairobi in November 2014. The Training held meetings with through the Danish International meetings with key current core the Foundation team in Seattle, Development Agency (Danida), funders provided forums for the USA, in February 2014 to pursue also awarded AERC a two-year Executive Director to update the discussions of this funding and grant of DDK10 million (US$1.8 partners on AERC’s upcoming present the upcoming strategy. million) for core programmes. strategic priorities proposed AfDB confirmed that its Board in the draft strategic plan for A funding proposal to WFP is has approved a grant to AERC 2015–2020 and to seek support currently in development based of US$720,000 towards the for the new strategy. Following on the successful pilot phase Exchange Programme for the September meeting, a DFID of the DAKMAH project as the Research and Mentorship team visited the Secretariat in current grant for this project between AfDB and AERC over November 2014 to work with comes to an end in March 2015. a 2-year period. Furthermore, AERC on the business case and following the submission of a logframe for the new strategy. concept note for support from Re-engaging with Discussions on potential funding the Bank’s African Development previous donors from DFID with effect from April Fund in February 2014, the Efforts to re-engage with 2015 are ongoing. AfDB Operational Committee previous donors continue approved the preparation and to realize positive results. Following discussions with submission of the appraisal Following meetings with the key donors during the special

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Hon. Luisa Meque, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mozambique at the offiicial opening of the AERC Seminar Policy Seminar held in Maputo on the theme “Agriculture in Africa’s Transformation: The Role of Smallholder Farmers International Development traditional Africa Bureau, to The AERC Executive Director Research Centre (IDRC), the support AERC through GDN for and the Director of Research AERC funding proposal for the Africa Voice project. An MoU met with the Managing Director research activities focusing on on this project and a sub-grant for Africa at the Rockefeller fragile and post-conflict states agreement for US$285,000 Foundation in Nairobi in July was positively evaluated. In was signed between AERC and 2014, to pursue the possibility of December 2014, IDRC confirmed GDN in February 2015. For the the Foundation re-engaging with the approval of the grant long term, Management is in AERC as a previous funder. support request and a grant communication with USAID for agreement for CAD$1,300,000 fully-fledged re-engagement Enhancing African (US$1,150,700) is currently in through the African Bureau stakeholder-ship development and is expected to (which has been the traditional A meeting was held in May 2014 be signed by March 2015. channel of support to AERC). In with the Principal Secretary this regard, a meeting was held and other senior officials of with USAID in October 2014 and There are also continuing efforts the National Treasury in Kenya led to high-level representation to re-engage with USAID, which during which AERC updated the by USAID to the special meeting hosted the March 2014 AERC team on recent developments of the AERC Board in November Board meeting in Washington, within the organization and the 2014 in Nairobi. A follow-up D.C., and provided opportunities emerging priorities for the next meeting with USAID was held to have AERC forums, including AERC strategy. the CSIS forum on “AERC: in January 2015 at USAID Research Meets Policy in offices in Washington, D.C. The The AERC Executive Director Africa”. In response to a bridge discussions to date indicate that took the opportunity of the support request, USAID has USAID will support the AERC IMF-organized Africa Rising used a channel outside the Strategic Plan 2015–2020. conference in Maputo, a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 53 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Prof. Lemma W. Senbet, AERC Executive Director stresses a point during a Governors’ Forum meeting. Looking on is Prof Benno Ndulu, Governor, Bank of Tanzania. Prof. Ndulu was the first African Executive Director of AERC. Mozambique, in May 2014 to Zambia and Zimbabwe) agreed to of the August meeting was meet with numerous senior become the Founding Members the support of a long-term African government officials, of the AERC Governors’ Forum engagement and support who included those from and to co-opt the Bank of Nigeria, to AERC through a modality the ministries of finance and whose governor was unable to that would allow for annual central bank governors and attend the meeting. contributions to the Consortium. deputy governors from Kenya, This would in turn provide a Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania A follow-up meeting was held bigger voice in AERC through a and Uganda. As a result, on 19-20 February 2015 in proposed group directorship to the Governor of the Bank of Livingstone, Zambia, during the AERC Board. The proposed Tanzania offered to co-host which the members of the modality was discussed with an agreed Alumni Governors’ Governors’ Forum resolved to the governors at a meeting held Forum. The first ever AERC join the Consortium and provide in October 2014 in Washington, Central Banks Governors’ Forum core support in line with AERC D.C., during the annual meetings was held on 13–14 August 2014, bylaws. The forum welcomed the of the World Bank and IMF. in Zanzibar. The meeting was participation of the South Africa A meeting co-hosted by the a resounding success with 10 Reserve Bank and Reserve Bank Bank of Zambia was held in central bank governors and of Malawi at the Livingstone Livingstone, Zambia, on 19–20 deputy governors in attendance. meeting. February 2015 to formalize the The Forum discussed the role framework of the Governors’ of African governments and Forum. The framework for the On presentation of a financing institutions in supporting AERC Forum’s engagement with AERC gap for CMAP and CPP, the activities for sustainability, in was approved by the AERC governors present pledged a addition to increasing their Board in March 2015. total of US$650,000. To date, a voice in the governance of the total of US$400,000 has been Consortium. The 10 central disbursed to AERC, with the The need for an enhanced banks represented at the balance pledged to be cleared African stakeholdership was beginning (Burundi, Ghana, before the end of the current reiterated during the meetings Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, financial year. The major outcome of the AERC alumni which Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, were held in Accra, Ghana, in

54 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

June 2014 within the biannual as organizing workshops and procedures. This has workshop. The attendance platform meetings in Africa. been dealt with, in part, by of senior alumni members engaging a procurement (attending as panellists on the AERC ranked high in consultant on a short-term plenary policy roundtable and global transparency basis to assist in setting up resource persons) provided an ranking systems. important forum to request their AERC was twice during this • The limited automation and support in connecting AERC period awarded the maximum integration of administrative with their governments and possible five-star rating by processes continues to be other institutions. Transparify in its results a challenge, as the systems announced in May 2014 and currently entail significant Engaging with new February 2015. The May 2014 duplication of effort. This is and non-traditional rating recognized AERC as one being addressed through partners of only 21 transparency leaders the proposed installation Still on partnerships to increase identified worldwide, out of a of the ERP system. The resources, AERC submitted total of 169 institutions, including requirements and mapping a funding proposal under the the world’s most prominent of processes and the China–Africa Joint Research and think tanks. This also makes it initiation of the procurement Exchange Programme, which the only highly transparent large of the ERP system are was based on a meeting held think tank in Africa. Transparify ongoing. between the Chinese Embassy is an initiative devoted to • To realize results from in Nairobi and AERC in May advocating greater think tank fundraising efforts, there is 2014. The programme is part of transparency worldwide. This a need to have face-to-face the Forum on the China–Africa project assesses and rates the meetings of the Executive Cooperation (FOCAC) initiative financial transparency of think Director, in particular, and and has the potential to broaden tanks globally. It rates the degree other senior AERC staff the AERC resource base to to which a think tank publicly with numerous partners, include non-traditional partners. discloses its funding, including especially senior officials sources, funding levels, and from African governments, A contract was signed in June specific research projects, in those being re-engaged 2014 between AERC and the an open and timely manner, with, and new partners. This African Study Centre (ASC) in including on websites. AERC’s requires heavy investment Leiden, the Netherlands, for rating moved up to the maximum in the time of senior the Knowledge platform for five-star rating this year from a Management, particularly development policies project, four-star rating in the previous the Executive Director. which is an initiative of the ranking. • The evolving change Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the management with a variety Netherlands. AERC is part of Key challenges of reforms and changes a consortium led by ASC that The key challenges experienced are stressful but necessary. will provide the Secretariat for during the period include: Things will improve as the knowledge platform. AERC we adapt to changes and reforms, but the transition is is responsible for knowledge • Limited capacity due to a a challenge. brokering on social protection heavy workload occasioned and the engagement of by the implementation African policy makers as well of the new procurement

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 55 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Financial Performance

56 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Introduction

The increase in income is The Programme of Work Key Financial mainly attributed to advance and Budget for the year was Highlights approved by the Board in receipt of income for 2015/16 The Consortium’s auditor Ernst March 2014 with income and from the Danish International and Young carried out the main expenditure levels of US$ 11.0 Development Agency (DANIDA) statutory audit for the 2014/15 million and US$ 17.4 million and International Development a long side the special audits of respectively. The excess Research Centre (IDRC). As the African Capacity Building expenditure over the income well, additional income of Foundation (ACBF) and World of US$ 6.4 million was to be US$ 450,000 received from Bank, Service Delivery Indicators financed from the net assets the African Central Banks (WBSDI) Project. carried forward from the and increase in the level previous year of US$ 11.4 million of investment income. The The Financial statements (US$ 1.9 million unrestricted and expenditure for the period was reflect actual income of US$ US$ 9.5 million restricted). US$ 12.5 million. This was 28 % 13.2 million. This was20 % over less the level of planned PWB the planned PWB levels and 48 expenditure and more or less % increase over the previous at same level as the previous year’s income of US$ 8.9 million. year. The net assets of the

AERC Governors’ Forum members pose to take a picture after atteninding a meeting: The move to have this forum join the AERC consortium was a historic achievement for helping AERC in a more sustainable basis while enhancing stakeholdership. a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 57 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Consortium at the year-end the coming period and beyond as the memorandum on amounted to US$ 25.7 million, (US$ 6.7 million of this amount examination and internal control out of this US$ 10 million is earmarked for Government of were subsequently shared with pertains to the Consortium’s Kenya Special capacity Building all donors. A summary of the Board Reserve Fund (US$ Project). approved audit report for the 3.9 million) and Research fiscal year is presented on the Innovations Endowment Fund The Consortium’s financial financial pages. (RIEF) (US$ 6.1 million). The statements were duly approved balance of US$ 15.7 million are at the July 2015 meeting of the Programme Funds available Executive Committee of the for Programme activities in AERC Board. The approved financial statements as well

58 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

2014-2015

Summary Financial Report

Report of the Independent Auditors To the Members of African Economic Research Consortium, Inc.

We have audited the financial statements of the African Economic Research Consortium for the year ended 31 March 2015 from which the summarized financial statements on pages 59 to 62 were derived, in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. In our report dated July 23, 2015, we expressed an unqualified opinion of the financial statements from which the summarized financial statements were derived.

In our opinion, the accompanying summarized financial statements are consistent in all material respects with the financial statements from which they were derived.

For a better understanding of the Consortium’s financial position and statement of activities for the year and of the scope of our audit, the summarized financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements from which they were derived, and our audit report thereon.

Certified Public Accounts

Nairobi July 23, 2015.

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 59 Co n s o r t i u m p o u r l a Re c h e r c h e Ec o n o m i q u e e n Af r i q u e

Statement of Financial Position for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 (US$)

2015 2014 US$ US$ ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and bank balances 1,487,852 1,269,697 Short-term investments 13,250,960 12,501,913 Grants receivable 206,812 502,215 Other receivables 512,923 679,188 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 15,458,547 14,953,013

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Long-term investments 10,122,564 9,636,505 Property, plant and equipment 134,313 111,154 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 10,256,877 9,747,659

TOTAL ASSETS 25,715,424 24,700,672

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals 549,631 630,543 Sundry creditors 158,551 94,797 Grants payable-grantees 3,809,759 3,535,820 TOTAL LIABILITIES 4, 517,941 4,261,160

NET ASSETS Unrestricted net assets 1,107,490 1,525,101 Board restricted reserve 3,932,499 3,797,511 Temporarily restricted net assets 10,681,066 9,822,602 Research innovations endowment fund 5,476,428 5,294,298 TOTAL NET ASSETS 21,197,483 20,439,512

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 25,715,424 24,700,672

60 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 (US$)

Operating Board Temporar- Permanently Total 2015 Total 2014 Reserve Restricted ily Restricted Restricted Reserve Reserve Reserve US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ Support and revenues Grant from Governments 3,953,193 - 5,157,876 - 9,111,069 6,471,873 Grants from Foundations - - 1,706,314 - 1,706,314 1,344,697 Grants from Other Organizations 395,412 - 969,857 - 1,365,269 418,620 Investment income 213,017 134,988 471,192 182,130 1,001,327 633,143 Other income 5,128 - - - 5,128 67,137 4,566,750 134,988 8,305,239 182,130 13,189,107 8,935,470

Net assets released from restriction Satisfaction of Program Restrictions 7,483,067 - (7,483,067) - - - Grants forfeited - - 36,292 - 36,292 - Appropriation to/from Board Reserve/ ------RIEF Adjustment in fair value of Investments ------7,483,067 - (7,446,775) - 36,292 - Total Support and Revenues 12,049,817 134,988 858,464 182,130 13,225,399 8,935,470

Expenditure General administration 1,262,147 - - - 1,262,147 1,464,781 Program management 77,430 - - - 77,430 143,018 Research Program 3,138,715 - - - 3,138,715 3,039,816 Communications 722,189 - - - 722,189 965,787 Masters Program 2,118,924 - - - 2,118,924 1,478,877 CMAAE Program 2,593,512 - - - 2,593,512 2,890,035 Doctoral Program 2,554,511 - - - 2,554,511 2,708,417 Total Expenditure 12,467,428 - - - 12,467,428 12,690,731

Change in Net Assets (417,611) 134,988 858,464 182,130 757,971 (3,755,261)

Net Assets at the beginning of the year 1,525,101 3,797,511 9,822,602 5,294,298 20,439,512 24,194,773

Net Assets at the end of the year 1,107,490 3,932,499 10,681,066 5,476,428 21,197,483 20,439,512

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Grant Income for the Year Ended 31 March 2015

Income Income for Year for Year 2014/15 2013/2014

Government Entities Danish International devt agency (DANIDA) U 1,621,614 862,073 Int Devt Research Centre ( IDRC) U - 28,185 Int Devt Research Centre ( IDRC) R 654,156 - Norwegian Agency for Devt Co-op ( NORAD) U 268,863 275,838 Norwegian Agency for Devt Co-op ( NORAD) R 1,162,015 1,681,318 The Netherlands: African Studies Centre (ASC)- R 57,662 - Knowledge Platform Dept for International Devt (DFID) U 1,230,469 2,137,650 Swedish Int Devt Co-op Agency (Sida) U 832,247 - Swedish Int Devt Co-op Agency (Sida) R 816,650 - USAID U - 36,302 USAID R - (66,734) Government of Kenya R 2,017,393 1,517,241 Central Bank of Zambia R 50,000 - Central Bank of Tanzania R 100,000 - Central Bank of Burundi R 50,000 - Central Bank of Uganda R 100,000 - Central Bank of Ghana R 100,000 - Central Bank of Mozambique R 50,000 - Subtotal 9,111,069 6,471,873

Foundations African Capacity Building foundation (ACBF) R 1,609,714 899,746 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - CMAAE R - 321,876 DAAD R 96,600 123,075 Subtotal 1,706,314 1,344,697

Note: R – Restricted funding U – Unrestricted funding

Continued on Page 63

62 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Continued from Page 62

Type of Funding Income Income for Year for Year 2014/15 2014/2013 Other Organizations & Individuals Int Bank of Recn & Devt (IBRD) U 200,000 - Global Development Network (GDN) (IBRD) U - 198,000 Global Development Network (GDN) (IBRD) U 195,412 37,737 GDN/USAID R 142,500 - World Food Programme (WFP) R 591,186 - UN Weider R - (48,237) African Development Bank R 76,700 50,000 Donald Danforth Plant Science Centre R - 29,120 World Bank SDI R - 150,000 Other Income -RIEF(Individual contributions) U - 2,000 African Rural & Credit Association R 159,471 - Subtotal 1,365,269 418,620

GRAND TOTAL 12,182,652 8,235,190

Note: R – Restricted funding U – Unrestricted funding

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Annex A: Research Programme statistics for 2014/15

Table A1: Distribution of research reports and CPP theses by thematic group

June 2014 NP RP WIP FR CPP Total Group Group A 7 0 1 4 5 17 Group B 6 1 0 5 4 16 Group C 5 0 3 2 4 14 Group D 6 1 3 1 3 14 Group E 8 0 3 1 4 16 Total 32 2 10 13 20 77

December 2014 NP RP WIP FR CPP Total Group Group A 5 0 5 2 3 15 Group B 6 0 3 2 3 14 Group C 7 0 3 3 2 15 Group D 4 0 4 3 3 14 Group E 9 1 2 1 1 14 Total 31 1 17 11 12 72 Key Thematic groups Research reports A: Poverty, Income Distribution and Food Security NP: New proposal; B: Macroeconomic Policies, investment and Growth RP: Revised proposal C: Finance and Resource Mobilization WIP: Work in progress D: Trade and Regional Integration FR: Final report E: Political Economy, Natural Resource Management and Agricultural CPP: PhD thesis Policy Issues

Table A2: Number of grants given during the year 2014/2015 No. Grant no. Grantee name Title Grant amount 1 RT13520 Clarisse Metseyen Implications du capital social sur l'access au 12,500.00 microcredit parmi les menages ayant different niveaux de revenu au Cameroun: 2001-2007 2 RT13521 Motio Simo Epiphanie Impact des ecoles paysannes sur la production du 12,500.00 cacao: une evidence empirique des producteurs du cacao au Cameroun 3 RT13522 Chukwuma Agu An assessment of remittances as potential 12,500.00 complement to conventional sources of development finance in Nigeria 4 RT13523 Edward Bbaale Breast feeding and child health outcomes in 12,500.00 Uganda

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No. Grant no. Grantee name Title Grant amount 5 RT14501 Ousseni Mongbet Implications Of Labour Market Performance 12,500.00 Indicators For Pro-poor Growth In Cameroon 6 RT14502 Ameth Ndiaye Effects of Institutions on Tax Revenue in WAEMU: 12,500.00 Saloum What Are The Implications for Public Investment Decisions? 7 RT14503 Dongue Ndongo Mondialisation et efiicacite de Politique monetaire 12,500.00 Patrick en Afrique Subsaharrienne 8 RT14504 Josephine Ndambuki Capital Flight and Net Foreign Direct Investment in 12,500.00 Kenya 9 RT14505 Tabi Atemnkeng Gender-Based Credit Constraints and Firm 12,500.00 Johannes Performance in Cameroon 10 RT14506 Magda Kasyoka Determinants of Intra-African Mergers and 12,500.00 wilson Acquisitions 2000-2013 11 RT14507 Strike Mbulawa Determinants of Capital Structure Choices in the 12,500.00 Zimbabwean Corporate Sector 12 RT14508 Abdoulaye Seck Trade facilitation and Trade Flows in Africa 12,500.00 13 RT14509 Adeoulu Adewuyi Does Governance Institution Matter for Trade 12,500.00 Flows Between Sub-Saharan Africa and its Trading Partner? 14 RT14510 Ningaye Paul Inegalites D’Opportunites et Distribution du 12,500.00 Development Human au Cameroun 15 RT14511 Christian Zamo Genre, Emplois, et Salaires Sur le Marche du Travail 12,500.00 Camerounais 16 RT14512 Novice Bakehe Adoption et usages de l’internet au Cameroun 12,500.00 17 RT14513 Daniel Tambi Mbu The Effects of Maternal Immunization on Birth 12,500.00 Weight in Rural Cameroon 18 RT14514 Marinus Arrey Explaining Well-Being and Inequality in Cameroon: 12,500.00 A Regression Based Composition 19 RT14515 Reuben Alabi Pro-Poorness of Fertilizer Subsidy and its 12,500.00 Implications on Food Security in Nigeria 20 RT14516 Yacoubou Sanaoussi Inegalite D’Opportunite de Sante Chez les Enfants 12,500.00 Ages de Moins de 5 Ans au Togo 21 RT14517 Achi Marius Les Politiques Monetaire de la BCEAO et de la 12,500.00 BEAC: Apport de la Regle de Taylor Augmentee 22 RT14518 Albert The Impact of Regulatory Barriers on Investment 12,500.00 Makochekanwa in Mobile Cellular Services: The Case of SADC Countries 23 RT14519 Isabelle Beyera Impact de la Qualite des Institutions sur le Revenu 12,500.00 Fiscal en Cote d’Ivoire 24 RT14520 Pierre Joubert Impacts Potentiels de la Liberalisation des Prix des 12,500.00 Nguetse Tegoum Produits Petroliers sur la Croissance et la Pauvrete et Masures d.Accompagnement 25 RT14521 Kisu Simwaka Migrant Remittance Flows to Southern African 12,500.00 Countries: Determinants and Impact

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No. Grant no. Grantee name Title Grant amount 26 RT14522 Emson Chiwenga Assessing Welfare Implication of Trade Policy on 12,500.00 Poverty in Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Sector 27 RT14523 Friday Ademola Impact of Investment Climate on Total Factor 12,500.00 Ajagbe Productivity of Food Industry in Nigeria 28 RT14524 Saleu Feumeni Le Role de L’Education de la Mere Sur L’utilisation 12,500.00 des Service de Sante Prenatale dans les Menages Avec Differents Niveaux de Bien-etre 29 RT14525 Mpabe Bodjongo Analyse Economique du Marche de la Religion 12,500.00 au Cameroun: L’Emergence du Pentecotisme Americain 30 RT14526 Chuku Chuku Macroeconomic consequences of terrorism and 3,000.00 anti-terrorism expenditure in Nigeria 31 RT14527 Musoni Rutayisire Modelling interest rate pass-through in Rwanda: Is 12,500.00 the interest rate adjustment dynamics symmetric or asymmetric? 32 RT14528 Austin Chiumia Interest rate pass-through in Malawi 12,500.00 33 RT14529 Chinyamata Chipeta Improving access to banking services in Malawi 12,500.00 34 RT14530 Mouhamed Access au financement bancaire des petites et 12,500.00 Abdoulaye Seck moyennes enterprises au Senegal 35 RT14531 Elizabeth Nanziri Financial inclusion and welfare in post-apartheid 12,500.00 Lwanga South Africa 36 RT14532 Kanga Desire Les banques et la transmission de la politique 12,500.00 monetaire : une analyse comparative des zones Cemac, Uemoa et Zmao 37 RT14533 Mamadou Laye Liberalisation commerciale et mobilisation des 12,500.00 Ndoye recettes fiscale dans les pays de la CEDEAO 38 RT14534 Eric Kouassi Reexamen de la creation de commerde au sien de 12,500.00 L’ U EM OA 39 RT14535 Alhadj Gadom Djal- Poverty Dynamics in Chad Between 2003 and 12,500 Gadom 2011: The Role of Economic Growth and Poverty Gap Pertaining to the Regional Allocation of Oil Revenues 40 RT14536 Urama Nathaniel Impact of Remittances on Labour supply by the 12,500 Recipients in Nigeria 41 RT14537 Bezeme Yves Valery Pacte de Stabilite et Stabilisation en Union 12,500 Franck Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine 42 RT14538 Morakinyo O. Adetutu The Impact of Cross Country Heterogeneity on 12,500 Consumer Energy Efficiency: Evidence from a Panel of African Countries 43 RT14539 Oulai Sieni Toussaint External Shocks and Short-Term Fluctuations in 12,500 Ivory Coast 44 RT14540 Mireille Ntsama Boom Petrolier et Commerce Transfontalier des 12,500 Produits Alimentaires en Afrique Centrale 45 RT14541 Ousmanou Njikam Foreign Direct Investment, International Trade and 12,500 Productivity Growth: Firm Level Evidence From Cameroon

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Table A3: Implementation status of collaborative research projects as at March 2015 Project title Prop. Comm. FPRW FP CfP for Rev. Comm. CBW Inception Approv FP Public. CCS prop CCS 1 2 report 1. RHEGPR C C C C C C C C C C 2. ISD C C C C C C C C C 3. HEGPR C C C C O C C C C 4. GPN C C C C O C C C C 5. MACRO-ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF N/A N/A N/A N/A C C C N/A N/A AID 6. CAPITAL FLIGHT C C C O C C C C C 7. SENIOR SCHOLARS C C N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A PROGRAMME 8. FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM AND C C C TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD DEVELOPMENT 9 CLIMATE CHANGE O 10 HEALTH CARE C FINANCING 11 CAPACITY FOR SERVICE DELIVERY C N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A INDICATORS Abbreviations and symbols: FP: Framework papers; RHEGPR: Reproductive Health, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction; CCS: Country Case Studies; HEGPR: Health, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction; CBW: Capacity Building Workshop; GPN: Growth–Poverty Nexus; SR: Status Report; CfP: Call for Proposals; IRW: Interim Review Workshop; FRW: Final Report Workshop; FPRW: Framework Paper Review Workshop; TBD: To be determined; C : Completed; O Ongoing; PIP: Policy Issues Paper; CCSP: CCS Publication; NA: Not Applicable.

Project coordinators: HEGPR: Germano Mwabu, David Sahn; GPN: Ali Ali, Andy McKay; ISD: Mwangi Kimenyi, Ritva Reinikka; Capital Flight: Leonce Ndikumana, Financial Sectpr: Isaac Otchere

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Annex B: Training Programme statistics for 2014/2015

Table B1: List of students awarded CMAAE scholarships in 2014/2015

Name of Candidate Gender Country of University Nationality Admitted 1 Dube Biru Gelgo M Ethiopia Egerton 2 Adera Asnakech Kabede F Ethiopia Egerton 3 SekgopaTaboka Kealeboga F Botswana Egerton 4 Mbudzya Joseph Jabu M Kenya Egerton 5 Mukami Njeri Naomi F Kenya Egerton 6 Nakeel Mark Sanka M Kenya Egerton 7 Wekesa Bright Masaka M Kenya Egerton 8 Ajak Mamer Kuer M S. Sudan Nairobi 9 Moikgofe Lorato Charity Mpho F Botswana Nairobi 10 Oreeditse Shirley F Botswana Nairobi 11 Mutiso Janet Mwende F Kenya Nairobi 12 Okuku Isaiah Odhiambo M Kenya Nairobi 13 Msukwa Wupe M Malawi Bunda 14 Grevulo Joyce Angella F Malawi Bunda 15 Bokang Mabitso F Lesotho Bunda 16 Chikobola Musaka Mulanga M Zambia Bunda 17 Kiconco Racheal F Uganda Makerere 18 Nabukeera Caroline F Uganda Makerere 19 Asaasira Susan F Uganda Makerere 20 Byishimo Patrick M Rwanda Zimbabwe 21 Mugura Kumbirai F Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 22 Mutodi Knowledge M Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 23 Gakaka Abigail F Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 24 Bakanyane Bokang F Botswana Sokoine 25 Subert Moses Peter M Tanzania Sokoine 26 Mallogo Diana Peter F Tanzania Sokoine 27 Mutanyagwa Ange Pacifique F Rwanda Sokoine 28 Stoffel Labuschagne M Namibia Pretoria 29 Alefa Banda M Zambia Pretoria 30 Eustencia Munsaka F Zambia Pretoria 31 Gcina Dlamini F Swaziland Pretoria 32 Aubrey Victor Chimalin M Zambia Pretoria 33 Bertha Ijambo F Namibia Pretoria 34 Tsepiso Elliot Mokhothu M Lesotho Pretoria 35 Graca Manjate F Mozambique Pretoria SUMMARY Female = 58%

68 a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 Af r i c a n Ec o n o m i c Re s e a r c h Co n s o r t i u m

Figure B1: Employers evaluation of performance by CMAAE graduates (Source: Survey Monkey)

Table B2 Scholarship Awards under CMAP in 2014

Name of Candidate Gender Country of Nationality

1 Mbithi Juliana Mukonyo Female Kenya 2 Mwathi Ruth Muthoni Female Kenya 3 Ngotho Saitoti Peter Male Kenya 4 Celine Katunda Mutie Female Kenya 5 Muthoka Jacob Sila Male Kenya 6 Ndegwa Veronicah Ngonyo Female Kenya 7 Murigi Michael Njoroge Male Kenya 8 Maina Leah Wambui Female Kenya 9 Simiyu Everlyne Female Kenya 10 Mwangi Carolyn Wairimu Female Kenya 11 Aruna Alfred Jeremiah H. Male Sierra Leone 12 Chizonde Bright Male Zambia 13 Gyan Baffour Akosua Owusu Female Ghana 14 Kasalirwe Fred Male Uganda 15 Touray Adama Female The Gambia 16 Sanneh Tumani Male The Gambia 17 Josiane Dusabe Female Rwanda 18 Mulenga Kabaso Male Zambia 19 Michelo Tobias Male Zambia SUMMARY Female = 53%

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Table B3 CMAP scholarships 2014/2015

University Year I Gender Nationality Year II Gender Nationality Botswana Mbithi Juliana Mukonyo Female Kenyan Chemnyongoi, Jepkorir Female Kenyan Hellen Mwathi Ruth Muthoni Female Kenyan Mwila, Chiwe Female Zambia Mahamo, Lerato Agnes Female Lesotho

Dar es Gyan-Baffour Akosua Female Ghanian Omanyo, Daniel Male Kenyan Salaam Owusu Odhiambo Kasalirwe Fred Male Ugandan Rashid, Athman Female Kenyan Zuleikha Chizonde Bright Male Zambian Mukoki, James Male Ugandan

Cape Coast Aruna Alfred Jeremiah H. Male Sierra Leonean

Ghana, Ngotho Saitoti Peter Male Kenyan ISSA,Khamis Salma Female Tanzanian Legon

Nairobi Josiane Dusabe Female Rwandese Apunda, Rose Female Kenyan Ndegwa Veronicah Female Kenyan Yanga, Ahmed Morgan Male South Ngonyo Sudanese Murigi Michael Njoroge Male Kenyan Maina Leah Wambui Female Kenyan Simiyu Everlyne Female Kenyan Muthoka Jacob Sila Female Kenyan

Mauritius Mwangi Carolyn Wairimu Female Kenyan Kinyua, Samuel Githae Male Kenyan Mutie Katunda Celina Female Kenyan Jammeh, Lamin Male Gambia Touray Adama Female Gambian Singhateh, Fatoumata Female Gambia Sanneh Tumani Male Gambian

Namibia Lavally, Mohamed Male Sierra Leone Cassell Varney Alvin Male Liberian

Michelo Tobias Male Zambian Tembo, Mike Alex Male Zambian Zimbabwe Mulenga Kabaso Male Zambian

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Annex C: Conference participation, national policy workshops and professional association grants

Table C1: Conference participation grants, 2014/15 Name Amount (US$) Type/theme Affiliation Country Travel grant to attend the 32nd Department of Economics, UAE Cambridge International Symposium University of Sharjah Prof. Melvin D. 3,264 on Economic Crime at the University Ayogu of Cambridge from 1–7 September 2014 Grant to participate at the African Centre for Econometric Nigeria Dr. Olusanya E. Econometric Society (AES) and Allied Research 3,000 Olubusoye Conference to be held in Addis (CEAR), University of Ababa, Ethiopia on 16–18 July 2014. Ibadan Grant to present a paper: Gender, Kenya School of Monetary Kenya Economic Growth and Development Studies in Sub-Saharan Africa at the 2014 Dr. Maureen Were 3,825 International Association of Feminist Economics (IAFFE) Conference to be held in Accra, Ghana, on 27–29 June 2014 Travel grant to present a paper: School of Economics South Heterogeneous Effects of School University of Cape Town Africa Inputs on Educational Achievement Mr. Ramaele at the 1st Conference of the 2,000 Moshoeshoe International Association for Applied Econometrics (IAAE 2014) at Queen Mary College, University of London, from 26–28 June 2014 Travel grant to present a paper: School of Economics Kenya Cost Effectiveness Analysis of HIV University of Nairobi and AIDS Treatment in Kenya: A comparative analysis of Mbagathi Dr. Elizabeth A. 5,000 District and Moi Teaching and Owiti Referral hospital at the 19th ISPOR Annual International Meeting from 31 May to 4 June 2014 in Montreal, QC, Canada

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Table C2: National policy workshop grants, 2014/15

Name Amount (US$) Type/theme Affiliation Country South African Grant to enable SAIER hold South African Institute Malawi Institute for a national policy workshop for Economic Research Economic with the theme: Malawi at 50: (SAIER (Prof. Chipeta Research (SAIER) Toward Alternative Development Chinyamata) 9,294 Strategies and Policy at the Malawi Institute of Management in Lilongwe on 22–24 September 2014 Africa Growth 11th African Finance Journal African Finance Journal South Institute Conference on 7–8 May 2014 (AFJ) Africa in Durban, South Africa with 10,000 the theme: Research Trends in Accounting, Financing and Economics for Africa’s Development

Table C3: Professional Association grants, 2014/15

Name Amount (US$) Type/theme Affiliation Country Association for Conference on “Economic Association for the Ghana the Advancement Development in Africa” to be held Advancement of African of African Women 10,000 on 22–24 March, 2015 at Oxford Women Economists Economists University, England. (AAAWE) African Farm The 9th AFMA Congress to be held Moi University Kenya Management at Cape Sun Hotel in Cape Town, 7, 500 Association South Africa on 16–20 November (AFMA) 2014 Ethiopian Grant to host the 19th Annual African Econometrics Ethiopia Economics Conference of the African Region Society (AES) Association/ Chapter of Econometrics Society 5,000 Ethiopian Conference from 16–19 July 2014 in Economic Policy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Research Institute The Centre for Annual Conference on Regional Centre for Research Senegal Research on Integration in Africa (ACRIA) on 2–3 on Political Economy 5,000 Political Economy July 2014 (CREPOL) (CREPOL)

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Secretariat Managment and Staff

Lemma Senbet Executive Director Mary Kuria Manager, Resource Mobilization Lydiah Auma Executive Assistant Roberta Muigai Personal Assistant

Finance and Administration Grace Amurle Director of Finance and Administration John Muriithi Manager, Finance Mathew Maiyo Accountant Lamiku Kidamba Accounts Assistant Hellen Muthoni Administrative Assistant Catherine Tole Manager, Human Resources and Administration Damaris Michoma Human Resources Administrator Rose Atieno Receptionist/Secretary Jackson Ng’ang’a Driver/Office Assistant

Research Witness Simbanegavi Director of Research Damiano Manda Manager, Research Programme Samuel Mwakubo Manager, Research Programme Sheila Lyaga Programme Administrator Vacant Research Administrator Susan Miyengi Programme Assistant Nancy Muriuki Programme Assistant

Training Innocent Matshe Director of Training Tom Kimani Manager, Training Programmes George Owuor Manager, CMAAE Programme Paul M. Mburu JFE Administrator Emma Rono Programme Administrator Catherine Cheng’oli Training Administrator Evar Kiambuthi Accountant, CMAAE Paul Ngugi JFE Assistant Bertha Chedeye Programme Assistant (CMAAE) Elizabeth Mboi Programme Assistant (CPP/CMAP)

Communications Vacant Director of Communciations Charles Owino Manager, Publications Juffali Shahalir Kenzi Manager, ICT Steven Kinuthia Information Technology Administrator Vacant Editor Benjamin Masila Librarian Winston Wachanga Information Resources Administrator Sandra Mulluka Publications and Communications Assistant

Dakmah Project Paulo Dias Project Manager Dennis Kinambuga M&E Officer Walter Moturi Data Analyst Claris Riungu Data Analyst Judith Mutuku Data Analyst Rebecca Wairimu Data Analyst a n n u a l r e p o r t 2014/15 73