African Think Tanks on the Rise

A recently released report ranking the world’s think tanks shows that African think tanks are on the rise and are in some cases ranking with the best of the best when it comes to public policy research and civic engagement. The report, conducted by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania provides insight into the global Think Tank community and manages to break down the numbers by region among other useful categories.

Unlike in the Western World, Africa’s policy makers are not known to rely heavily on think tanks for the thoughtful research and analysis that can be used to generate and implement successful policy responses to numerous issues facing countries and mostly diverse populations.  Nonetheless, As global issues become increasingly local, such as the Arab Spring and the Occupy Wall Street Movement, and policy makers are more progressive, I believe we’ll see think tanks and civil society organizations function as a more important barometer for the state of each countries’ civil society.  We are already seeing this in countries that have the highest number of think tanks and rank among the best on the continent.

Despite having more countries than other region in the world, Africa has the least number of think tanks at 550.  16 of our countries listed below have more than 10 think tanks.



There were several notables in the report that warrant mentioning here.  They include Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Uganda and Ghana.  Kenya’s Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), South Africa’s Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Senegal’s Conseil Pour le Developpement de la Recherche en Sciences Sociales (CODESRIA) and Ghana’s Center for Policy Analysis feature heavily on the lists.  Additionally, two African think tanks rank in the top 20 for being Africa’s best new think tanks.  They are the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development in Nigeria and Audace Institute Afrique (AIA) in Cote d’Ivoire.  Finally, one regional think tank did well among the best University affiliated think tanks at number 23 – Economic Policy Research Center in Uganda.

African policy makers should take note that there are a number of major political, economic, social and technological trends that are converging at this moment in history and that have a profound impact on governments and institutions that serve them.  It is as important for think tanks to understand these trends as it is for policy makers and be ahead of them so that we are not all buried by them.  Kudos to the think tanks and civil society organizations that continue to serve Africa, and impact the direction of policy, despite the funding and political challenges.  I look forward to seeing a better assessment of the impact that these organizations have on civil society and more collaboration perhaps between countries that share common sub-regional issues(ie COMESA, EAC, ECOWAS).  Perhaps more conversation about the real impact of these bodies would make the case for additional funding, spurring better policy decisions spurring a ripple effect of faster more efficient economic development in many African Countries.

Source: Politics Africa