Promoting Leadership for Economic Policy in Fragile and Post-Conflict States in Africa

This project provides three-year funding to the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), to strengthen capacity for research and policy analysis in post-conflict and fragile states in Africa. No guarantees economic growth is inclusive growth Recent experience in Africa suggests that economic growth does not guarantee poverty reduction or job creation. This highlights the need to design policies and implement strategies that support private sector development to ensure that growth is inclusive and sustainable. This is important in fragile and post-conflict states where capacity is especially weak. Local administrators lack the knowledge, skills, and experience to sustain or replicate successful policies. Without policy research, development, and implementation skills and knowledge, conditions will not change. Poor economic and social outcomes are likely to persist, creating a vicious cycle of poverty, conflict, and fragility. Building stronger states in Africa This project will enhance the capacity of researchers, private sector actors, policy analysts, and policymakers in fragile and post-conflict countries to develop and manage sound economic policies for successful reconstruction and sustainable development. AERC will provide grants to local researchers and institutions in sub-Saharan countries. About the African Economic Research Consortium AERC's mission is to strengthen local capacity for conducting independent, rigorous inquiry into economy management challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. AERC encourages the application of knowledge in policy contexts. It has done so by: -mentoring more than 3,400 African economists from 35 countries -producing over 2,000 master's graduates -supporting 400 PhD students -creating a high level policy network of more than 1,200 senior African policymakers