The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), has unveiled its new African Private Sector Platform (APSP) to deepen collaboration between AERC researchers and Africa’s private sector.
The platform will bring together eminent Economists, Policymakers, Scholars, Private Sector leaders and development partners and connect them to real-time data, insights and collaboration tools.
The portal will act as a one-stop hub for research, data, policy papers and cross-border collaboration and act as a central research nerve centre for universities, central banks, ministries and scholars to accelerate data-driven research, digital policy dialogue and economic training, research and policy.
“Today marks a significant milestone for AERC as we convene partners and stakeholders to reflect on our mission and unveil our new 10-year strategy. This strategy reinforces our dedication to nurturing world-class African economists, deepening policy engagement, and ensuring that African perspectives shape regional and global economic discourse. The launch of our new Private Sector Platform further strengthens this commitment by creating a structured avenue for collaboration with industry, enabling evidence-informed advocacy and unlocking new opportunities for innovation and competitiveness across the continent,” said Prof. Arteey.
The AERC Research and Policy Summit will explore pathways to sustainable and inclusive economic growth while mainstreaming AERC’s role as an economic policy think tank. This year’s Research and Policy Summit is also aligned with the new AERC 10-year Strategic Plan (2025-2035).
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in a speech delivered by the State Department for Economic Planning Principal Secretary Bonface Barasa Makokha, said, “Africa’s Moment is Now: Let us not be defined by our challenges, but by our courage. Let us not inherit development models—we must invent them to deliver Africa’s economic prosperity.”
CS Mbadi decried the African continent’s overreliance on foreign aid and called for a new chapter of self-reliance, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“Kenya, like other African countries, is not poor in resources. We are, for instance, rich in human talent, in fertile land, in digital creativity, and in entrepreneurial spirit.” He added, “What we need is not more aid, but more courage to harness what we already have. This is not just about money—it is about dignity. Generating our own resources means charting our own destiny, setting our own priorities, and building resilience against global shocks.”
The speech was delivered at AERC Research and Policy Summit 2025, a three-day summit that kicked off in Nairobi today, bringing together eminent Economic Policy leaders and stakeholders.
The Summit brought together international and local Economic Policy leaders and stakeholders to explore pathways to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Dubbed “A Renewed AERC for Africa’s New Development Priorities”, the summit is touted as a timely platform geared at fostering stakeholder support to address pressing macroeconomic and development challenges in Africa.
Eminent leaders attending the hybrid AERC Research and Policy Summit include AERC Board Chair and Emeritus Professor, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Reserve Bank of South Africa, Governor, Dr Lesetja Kganyago, Bank of Uganda Governor, Dr Michael Atingi-Ego, Vice Governor of the Bank of Central African States, Michel Dzombala and Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Zambia, Dr Francis Chipimo, among others.
“Through the integration of research excellence, mentorship, and capacity building, the AERC aims to nurture a new generation of African economists ready to conduct frontier research, lead economic policy engagement and drive sustainable development efforts across Africa, “said Prof. Murinde.
AERC also unveiled its AERC Strategic Plan 2025-2035 to scale up active engagements in the private-sector-led economic transformation agenda across Africa.
The 3-day Summit will feature a series of parallel sessions showcasing new research across AERC’s core thematic areas: macroeconomic policy, trade and regional integration, labour markets and human capital, climate change and resilience, and financial sector development and the digital economy.
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