The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is a premier research and capacity-building organization established in 1988 with the mission of fostering economic growth and development in Africa through rigorous research and training. The consortium is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operates as a nonprofit organization.
AERC plays a pivotal role in promoting economic policy research, training, and networking among African scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. It collaborates with universities, research institutions, and policymakers across the continent to address key economic and development challenges facing Africa.
One of the primary activities of the AERC is to conduct high-quality research on critical economic issues facing Africa. The research covers a wide range of topics, including macroeconomic policy, trade, agriculture, governance, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. AERC-funded research projects generate evidence-based policy recommendations and contribute to shaping economic policies and strategies at national, regional, and continental levels.
In addition to research, AERC is widely recognized for its capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening the skills and expertise of African researchers, policymakers, and institutions. The organization offers training workshops, seminars, and fellowships in areas such as econometrics, policy analysis, research methods, and publication ethics. These capacity-building initiatives empower African scholars to conduct rigorous economic research, engage in evidence-based policymaking, and contribute to shaping the economic agenda of their countries and the continent as a whole.
AERC serves as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange among economists and policymakers in Africa. The consortium organizes conferences, symposiums, and policy dialogues where researchers, policymakers, and practitioners come together to share insights, discuss emerging issues, and explore collaborative opportunities.
AERC’s impact extends beyond academia and policymaking to influence development outcomes in Africa. By producing cutting-edge research, building research capacity, and facilitating policy dialogue, AERC contributes to improving economic governance, promoting sustainable development, and reducing poverty and inequality across the continent.
In addition to its core activities, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, regional economic communities, multilateral organizations, and development partners, to address pressing economic challenges facing Africa.
AERC’s research agenda is guided by the priorities and needs of African countries, ensuring that its work is relevant and impactful. The consortium conducts research on emerging issues and trends in African economies, such as the impact of globalization, climate change, technological innovation, and demographic shifts.
A key feature of AERC’s approach is its emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-country research. By bringing together economists, social scientists, policymakers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, AERC fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines and regions, enriching the quality and scope of its research outputs.
Moreover, AERC places a strong emphasis on gender mainstreaming in its research and capacity-building activities. The consortium promotes gender-sensitive research methodologies and encourages the participation of women researchers and policymakers in its programs, ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into economic analysis and policymaking processes.
AERC’s impact extends beyond the research and academic spheres to influence policy formulation and implementation in African countries. The evidence-based policy recommendations generated through AERC-funded research projects inform decision-making processes at national and regional levels, contributing to the design and implementation of effective economic policies and strategies.
The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) plays a critical role in advancing economic research, training, and policy dialogue in Africa. Through its multifaceted activities, the consortium contributes to building a vibrant and inclusive economic research community and fostering evidence-based policymaking for the continent’s sustainable development.
The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) was established in 1988 as a public not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of economic policy research and training in Africa. The Consortium’s mandate and strategic intent is built on the basis that sustained development in sub-Saharan Africa requires well-trained, locally based professional economists. AERC agitates the provision of capacity building in economic policy in Francophone and Anglophone African countries through provision of support in the areas of policy research and graduate training.
Requirements For The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Masters Fellowships.
To qualify for scholarship, applicant must:
- Have applied and been admitted to any one of the listed CMAP universities;
- Have attained at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent in Economics or related field from an accredited university; and
- Female and applicants from post-conflict and fragile states are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Documents
- Application cover letter;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Evidence of admission at any of the universities listed above; and
- Certified copies of transcripts and certificates.
Method of Application
Visit The Official Website to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their applications for admission directly to the respective universities (application procedure can be obtained from the respective university’s website).
Upon receipt of an admission letter from a specific university, applicants shall upload the following documents on to the AERC scholarship portal https://training.aercafrica.org/admissionnew
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024.
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