As part of its commitment to advancing evidence-informed policymaking across Africa, the African Centre for Development Impact (ACDI) convened an Impact Evaluation Training and Matchmaking Workshop from 23 to 26 March 2026.
The workshop brought together a competitively selected cohort of researchers from across the continent, following the rigorous review of more than 3,000 applications. It also convened policymakers from key government institutions, including ministries responsible for Finance, Energy and Green Transition, Health, Education, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Labour, Jobs and Employment, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, with support from the National Development Planning Commission.
The training was designed as a dual-track programme to strengthen both the production of high-quality evidence and its use in policymaking. Researchers participated in intensive sessions on core impact evaluation methods, including randomisation and its real-world applications, Regression Discontinuity Design and cost-effectiveness analysis, enhancing their capacity to generate rigorous and policy-relevant evidence.
In parallel, policymakers engaged in practical sessions focused on integrating evidence into policy design and implementation, as well as building effective partnerships for research co-creation. These sessions strengthened their ability to commission, interpret and apply evidence in decision-making processes.
A central feature of the programme was the matchmaking component, which moved beyond dialogue to active collaboration. Drawing on priority policy challenges presented by government institutions, researchers and policymakers formed thematic teams to co-develop impact evaluation ideas aligned with real policy needs. These ideas are expected to be developed into full proposals for submission to ACDI, with selected proposals receiving funding support for implementation.
ACDI extends its appreciation to the facilitators who contributed their expertise to the training, including Prof. Duah Dwomoh (Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana); Prof. Robert Osei (Director, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)); and Prof. Edward Asiedu (University of Ghana Business School). The Centre also acknowledges the valuable contributions of partners from Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), whose facilitation and practical insights enriched the learning experience.
This initiative is part of ACDI’s strategic approach to strengthening evidence-informed policymaking by aligning research with policy priorities and fostering sustained collaboration between researchers and government institutions across Africa.
