HOW THE EVENTS WERE ORDERED

Conference Programme

24th-26th July, 2024

Conference at a Glance

Overview of themes, focus areas, key sessions, and expected outcomes

Day 1 — Understanding the Evidence Ecosystem
Theme
Africa Evidence Ecosystem
Focus
What has worked, where, and for whom
Keynote
Caroline Fiennes — Visiting Fellow, University of Cambridge
Discussant: Prof. Peter Quartey, ISSER, University of Ghana
Roundtable
System Dialogue: What works, for whom, and how
Panelists: Mr Ousseynou Ngom (Hewlett Foundation) · Prof. Ama de-Graft Aikins (PASGR) · Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu (Ghana Statistical Services) · Mr. Timothy Lubanga (Uganda) · Dr Rasheed Draman (ACEPA) · Dr. Rose Omari (CSIR)
Moderator: Prof. Howard White, REC
Key Elements
Keynote · Roundtable · Interactive Labs · Innovation Showcase
Interactive Labs
Evidence-Informed Models — 5 Breakout Groups (self-select by sector):
1. Government & Parliamentary Lab
2. Financing & Investment Lab
3. Implementation & Civil Society Lab
4. Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
5. Private Sector EBDM Lab
Innovation Showcase
ISSER / Ghana Statistical Services
Outcome
Shared understanding of evidence systems across Africa
Focus Area
Mapping evidence use systems
Evening
Cocktail and networking — 18:00 to 19:30
Day 2 — Systems and Impact
Theme
Transforming Systems for Evidence for Policy and Practice
Focus
How and why it works — causality, conditions, and sustainability
Keynote
Dr. Julius Muia, CBS — Kenya
"From Evidence to Impact: Understanding the 'How' and 'Why'"
Discussant: Prof. Simon Bawakyillenuo, ISSER, University of Ghana
Roundtable
What Drives Sustainable Evidence Impact in Africa?
Panelists: Mr Tomoh Joseph (Ministry of Basic Education, Cameroon) · HE Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni County, Kenya) · Dr. Oliver K. Kirui (IFPRI) · Dr. Liping Guo (Lanzhou University) · Dr. Konlambigue Mathieyedou (IITA) · Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah (NDPC Ghana)
Moderator: Prof. Fadel Ndiame, PASGR
Key Elements
Keynote · Roundtable · Deep-Dive Labs · Synthesis · Showcase
Deep-Dive Labs
What Worked & Why — 5 Groups (same as Day 1):
1. Government & Parliamentary Lab
2. Financing & Investment Lab
3. Implementation & Civil Society Lab
4. Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
5. Private Sector EBDM Lab
Innovation Showcase
ACRES / EBASE
Outcome
Understanding drivers, barriers, and enabling systems
Focus Area
Evidence sustainability and impact
Priority
Learning why systems succeed or fail
Day 3 — Transformation and Scaling
Theme
What Must Change: Toward an Africa-Led E2A Ecosystem — Transformation, Inclusion, and Scaling
Focus
Transformation, institutionalization, and scaling of what works
Keynote
H.E. Mohamed Béavogui, former Prime Minister, Republic of Guinea
"Reimagining Africa's Evidence-to-Action Ecosystem"
Discussant: Prof. Phillip O. Nying'uro, University of Nairobi
Roundtable
What Must Change for an Africa-Led Evidence Ecosystem?
Panelists: Dr. Abraham Ibn. Zacharia (Parliament of Ghana) · Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto (NHIA) · Dr. Jared Ichwara (Kenya Treasury) · Dennis Rangi (CABI) · Benjamin Opoku Aryeh (PNAfrica) · Prof. Jane Ambuko (ARUA)
Moderator: Dr. Joseph Asunka, Afrobarometer
Key Elements
Keynote · Roundtable · Transformation Labs · Final Plenary
Transformation Labs
Scaling, Transferability & Institutionalization — 5 Breakout Groups:
1. Government & Parliamentary Lab
2. Financing & Investment Lab
3. Implementation & Civil Society Lab
4. Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
5. Private Sector EBDM Lab
Final Plenary
Conference Synthesis & Call to Action — Launch of E2A Africa Declaration and Evidence-to-Action Roadmap
Outcome
E2A Roadmap and Africa Declaration
Focus Area
Scaling and institutionalisation
Priority
Africa-led systems transformation

Pre-Conference Side Events

22nd – 23rd June 2026 · University of Ghana, Legon · By Invitation (unless stated)

Pre-conference events provide opportunities for deep-dive engagements, strategic convenings, and partner-led dialogues ahead of the main conference. Specific rooms will be confirmed closer to the event date.

ICED & Francophone Partners — Evidence Informed Policy (EIP)
Host
ICED & Francophone Partners
Date
22 June 2026
Topic
Evidence Informed Policy (EIP)
Morning Session
Invite Only
Afternoon Session
Invite Only
ICED — Why EGMs Matter
Host
ICED
Date
22 June 2026
Topic
Why EGMs Matter — Evidence from ICED Climate Change Adaptation EGM Project
Morning Session
Public Event
Afternoon Session
Public Event
eBase / ICED — AI-Powered Evidence Synthesis
Host
eBase / ICED
Date
23 June 2026
Topic
AI-Powered Evidence Synthesis for Better Public Policy
Morning Session
Public Event
Afternoon Session
Public Event
PASGR — UTAFITI SERA (22 June)
Host
PASGR — UTAFITI SERA
Date
22 June 2026
Topics
AfW — From Community Evidence to Impact: Closing the Water Governance Accountability Gap in Africa

ACRC — Catalysing Action through Reform Coalitions: Evidence from select African cities
Morning Session
Invite Only
Afternoon Session
Invite Only
PASGR — UTAFITI SERA (23 June)
Host
PASGR — UTAFITI SERA
Date
23 June 2026
Topics
The evidence to policy ecosystem:
· Analysis of policy culture in Africa
· Social Safeguards in Urban Governance
· Youth Employment Creation in Agribusiness
Morning Session
Invite Only
Afternoon Session
Invite Only
ICED — Ghana Evaluation Map Consultative Meeting
Host
ICED
Date
23 June 2026
Topic
Ghana Evaluation Map Consultative Meeting
Morning Session
Invite Only
Afternoon Session
—
PASGR — AYPRES
Host
PASGR — AYPRES
Date
22–23 June 2026
Topic
Preliminary findings: Political Economy Analyses of what works and what doesn't for young women and men in Africa to secure dignified and fulfilling work
Morning Session
Public Event
Afternoon Session
Public Event
PACKS Africa — The Pain of Growth
Host
PACKS Africa
Date
23 June 2026
Topic
The Pain of Growth — Cross-Sectorial Experiences within Evidence Ecosystems
Morning Session
Public Event
Afternoon Session
Public Event

Day 1 — Wednesday 24 June 2026

Africa Ecosystem: What has worked, where it has worked, for whom it has worked

Opening Session
08:30 – 09:30
Registration & Tea / Coffee — Arrival of Official Guests
09:30 – 09:40
Welcome of Delegates and Introduction — Prof. Robert Darko Osei, Director, ISSER, University of Ghana
09:40 – 09:55
Welcome Remarks — Prof. Felix Asante, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, Legon
09:55 – 10:05
Conference Objectives and Expectations — Dr. David S. Ameyaw, President, ICED
10:05 – 10:50
Special Goodwill Messages — Government Officials from Ghana, Guinea, Gambia, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Somalia, Zambia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, China, India, Nigeria
10:50 – 11:10
Special Keynote Address — Honorable Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Ghana
11:10 – 11:40
Guest of Honor & Official Opening — Rt. Honorable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana
11:40 – 12:00
Group Photograph & Walk-Through Exhibition
Session 1 — Keynote Address: Framing the Evidence Ecosystem
Time
12:00 – 12:40
Title
From Evidence to Influence: How Funders and Policymakers Actually Use Evidence in Complex Systems
Speaker
Caroline Fiennes — Visiting Fellow, University of Cambridge
Discussant
Prof. Peter Quartey — Professor in Development Economics, ISSER, University of Ghana
12:40 – 13:40
Lunch Break
Session 2 — Roundtable Discussion: System Dialogue
Time
13:40 – 14:40
Theme
Africa Evidence Ecosystem
Focus
What has worked · Where it has worked · For whom it has worked
Panelists
Mr Ousseynou Ngom — William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Prof. Ama de-Graft Aikins — PASGR RPC Chair
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu — Government Statistician, Ghana Statistical Services
Mr. Timothy Lubanga — Assistant Commissioner for M&E, Uganda
Dr. Rasheed Draman — Executive Director, ACEPA
Dr. Rose Omari — Chief Research Scientist, CSIR
Moderator
Prof. Howard White — Senior Research Associate and co-founder, The Research and Evaluation Centre (REC)
Session 3 — Setting the Stage
Time
14:40 – 14:55
Title
"The Lab Experience: Co-Creating Pathways from Evidence to Impact"
Presenter
Dr. Samwel Oando — PASGR
Session 4 — Interactive Labs: Breakout Panel Sessions
Time
14:55 – 16:10
Theme
"Evidence-Informed Models Have Demonstrated Impact in… Particularly Where…"
Five concurrent breakout groups — participants self-select by sector
Group 1
Government & Parliamentary Lab
Focus: How evidence informs public policy, legislation, budgeting, oversight, and institutionalization
Partners: Africa Parliamentary Network (APN) · Ghana Statistical Services · ACEPA
Group 2
Financing & Investment Lab
Focus: How evidence shapes funding decisions, results-based financing, accountability frameworks, and impact investing
Partners: Hewlett Foundation · Mastercard Foundation · Carnegie · AfDB
Group 3
Implementation & Civil Society Lab
Focus: Evidence in programme adaptation, citizen engagement, advocacy, accountability, and real-time learning
Partners: Afrobarometer · Africa Evidence Network (AEN)
Group 4
Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
Focus: Evidence synthesis, translation, knowledge brokering, policy engagement strategies, and methodological innovations
Partners: ISSER · PASGR · CI Network · PACKS Africa
Group 5
Private Sector EBDM Lab
Focus: Evidence use in business decisions, impact investing, agriculture, climate, digital economy, and MSME growth
Partners: ISSER (ReFinD) · Common Source · Impact Investing Ghana
16:10 – 16:40
Tea / Coffee Break
Session 5 — Innovation Showcase & Day 1 Closing
16:40 – 17:20
Partner and Innovation Showcase — ISSER / Ghana Statistical Services
17:20 – 17:30
Closing Remarks — Rt. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia
18:00 – 19:30
Networking Reception

Day 2 — Thursday 25 June 2026

Transforming Systems for Evidence for Policy and Practice: How and Why It Works

Session 6 — Opening
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome Session — "From Insights to Action: Reflecting, Connecting & Deepening Through Interactive Labs"
Prof. Fadel Ndiame, Executive Director, Partnership for African Social & Governance Research (PASGR)
Moderator — Morning
Jim Kaketch — Senior Programme Officer, Research & Policy, PASGR
Moderator — Afternoon
Kirchuffs — PACKS Africa
Session 7 — Keynote Address
Time
09:15 – 09:45
Title
From Evidence to Impact: Understanding the 'How' and 'Why'
Focus
Understanding causality, conditions, systems, and sustainability — mechanisms of change, contextual enablers and constraints, and moving beyond surface-level success stories
Speaker
FCS, FCPA, Dr. Julius Muia, CBS — Kenya
Discussant
Prof. Simon Bawakyillenuo — ISSER, University of Ghana
Session 8 — Roundtable Discussion: Evidence Sustainability and Impact
Time
09:45 – 10:45
Theme
What Drives Sustainable Evidence Impact in Africa?
Guiding Questions
What conditions enable success? · What systemic barriers persist? · How do partnerships influence outcomes?
Panelists
Mr Tomoh Joseph — Technical Advisor, Ministry of Basic Education, Cameroon
HE Mutula Kilonzo Junior, CBS — Governor, County Government of Makueni, Kenya
Dr. Oliver K. Kirui — IFPRI, West Africa
Dr. Liping Guo — Research Associate, Lanzhou University
Dr. Konlambigue Mathieyedou — Senior Manager, IITA
Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah — Director, NDPC Ghana
Moderator
Prof. Fadel Ndiame — Executive Director, PASGR
10:45 – 11:15
Tea / Coffee Break
Session 9 — Deep-Dive Interactive Labs
Time
11:15 – 13:15
Theme
What Worked (and Why) · What Did Not Work (and Why)
Same five labs as Day 1 — participants remain in same group
What Worked lens
Key outcomes and results achieved · Enabling factors — partnerships, policy environment, data systems · Why did it work in this specific context?
What Did Not Work lens
Key challenges and failures encountered · Evidence gaps or misinterpretation of evidence · Contextual constraints — market, policy, infrastructure
Group 1
Government & Parliamentary Lab
What Worked: Evidence-informed policy wins, legislative uptake, budget alignment
What Did Not Work: Political economy blockers, evidence ignored or misused in policy cycles
Partners: Africa Parliamentary Network (APN) · Parliamentary Network Africa Ghana · PASGR
Group 2
Financing & Investment Lab
What Worked: Funding models that embedded evidence use, flexible and results-based financing
What Did Not Work: Evidence gaps in funding decisions, accountability failures, misaligned incentives
Partners: Hewlett Foundation · AfDB
Group 3
Implementation & Civil Society Lab
What Worked: Advocacy successes, citizen-generated evidence, community-level impact models
What Did Not Work: Programme failures, data gaps, contextual barriers to real-time learning
Partners: Afrobarometer · Africa Evidence Network (AEN)
Group 4
Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
What Worked: Research that influenced real decisions, effective knowledge brokering and evidence packaging
What Did Not Work: Evidence that failed to translate, policy windows missed, communication failures
Partners: ISSER · PASGR · CI Network · PACKS Africa
Group 5
Private Sector EBDM Lab
What Worked: Evidence-driven business and investment decisions, data systems that created value
What Did Not Work: Data gaps, AI/digital failures, MSME evidence barriers across East and West Africa
Partners: ReFinD · Impact Investing Ghana
13:15 – 14:15
Lunch Break
Session 10 — Deep-Dive Labs Synthesis: Showcase & Feedback
Time
14:15 – 15:15
Format
Labs Showcase and Presentations — Feedback on Lab Outputs
Key Outputs
Key drivers of success · Critical constraints and risks · Proven systems and partnership models
15:15 – 15:45
Tea / Coffee Break
Session 11 — Innovation Showcase
Time
15:45 – 16:30
Format
Partner and Innovation Showcase — ACRES / EBASE
Session 12 — Day 2 Closing
16:30 – 16:45
Closing Remarks — Gladwell Cheruiyot, Nairobi County Government, Kenya

Day 3 — Friday 26 June 2026

What Must Change: Toward an Africa-Led E2A Ecosystem — Transformation, Inclusion, and Scaling

Session 13 — Opening
08:30 – 09:00
Registration and Welcome
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome Session — "From Insights to Action: Reflecting, Connecting & Deepening Through Interactive Labs"
Juliana Amadi, Director of Operations, Programmes and International Engagement, The Research and Evaluation Centre (REC)
Moderator
Dr. Ekwaro Obuku — Co-Director, Africa Center for Systematic Review and Knowledge Translation, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda
Session 14 — Keynote Address
Time
09:15 – 10:10
Title
Reimagining Africa's Evidence-to-Action Ecosystem
Focus Areas
Scalability and transferability of what works · Institutionalization of best practices · Future of evidence — technology and innovation
Speaker
H.E. Mohamed Béavogui — former Prime Minister, Republic of Guinea
Discussant
Prof. Phillip O. Nying'uro — Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Nairobi
Session 15 — Roundtable Discussion: Scaling, Transferability & Institutionalization
Time
10:10 – 11:10
Theme
What Must Change for an Africa-Led Evidence Ecosystem?
Guiding Questions
What structural shifts are needed? · How do we make systems more inclusive? · What does "Africa-led" truly mean in practice?
Panelists
Dr. Abraham Ibn. Zacharia — Principal Research Officer, Parliamentary Research Centre (PRC), Parliament of Ghana
Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto — Deputy Chief Executive, Operations, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
Dr. Jared Ichwara — DG, State Department for Economic Planning, Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya
Dennis Rangi — Former Executive Director, CABI
Benjamin Opoku Aryeh — Senior Programme Officer, Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica)
Prof. Jane Ambuko — Director of Research and Training, African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)
Moderator
Dr. Joseph Asunka — Executive Director, Afrobarometer, Ghana
11:10 – 11:40
Tea / Coffee Break
Session 16 — Transformation Labs: Scaling, Transferability & Institutionalization
Time
11:40 – 12:55
Theme
How Do We Scale, Transfer, and Institutionalize What Works?
Five concurrent groups — building on Days 1 and 2 lab outputs
Scaling lens
What would it take to scale proven models to national or continental level? · What resources, systems, and political conditions are required? · What are the risks of scaling — and how are they managed?
Transferability lens
Which approaches are context-specific and which travel across geographies? · What adaptations are needed to transfer a model to a different country or sector? · Who are the actors needed to make transfer work?
Institutionalization lens
How do we move from project-based success to embedded, sustainable systems? · What policy, legal, or institutional frameworks are needed? · How do we prevent good practice from disappearing when funding cycles end?
Group 1
Government & Parliamentary Lab
Scaling: National evidence mandates and M&E systems
Transferability: Cross-country policy learning
Institutionalization: Embedding evidence use in public sector cycles beyond individual champions
Partners: Africa Parliamentary Network (APN) · Parliamentary Network Africa · PASGR
Group 2
Financing & Investment Lab
Scaling: Funding architectures that sustain evidence ecosystems
Transferability: Replicable financing models across donors
Institutionalization: Moving from project grants to core evidence infrastructure funding
Partners: Hewlett Foundation
Group 3
Implementation & Civil Society Lab
Scaling: Community and CSO-led models with national reach
Transferability: Citizen-engagement and accountability tools
Institutionalization: Sustaining civil society evidence capacity beyond donor cycles
Partners: Afrobarometer · Africa Evidence Network (AEN)
Group 4
Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
Scaling: Africa-owned research and synthesis infrastructure
Transferability: Evidence products that work across contexts
Institutionalization: University, think tank, and government research partnerships that endure
Partners: ISSER · PASGR · CI Network · PACKS Africa
Group 5
Private Sector EBDM Lab
Scaling: Data and AI platforms with continental reach
Transferability: Digital financial and MSME evidence models across East and West Africa
Institutionalization: Private sector investment in shared evidence infrastructure
Partners: ReFinD · Impact Investing Ghana
Session 17 — Final Plenary: Conference Synthesis & Call to Action
Time
12:55 – 13:40
Format
Presentation of key insights from all lab sessions across the three days
Launch
E2A Africa Declaration · Evidence-to-Action Roadmap
Session 18 — Conference Evaluation
13:40 – 13:50
Conference Evaluation e-Form — Participants requested to complete the digital feedback form
Session 19 — Closing Ceremony
13:50 – 14:00
Reflections from represented countries — Ghana, Guinea, Gambia, Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Somalia, Zambia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, China, India, Nigeria
Closing Address
Action Plan and Way Forward — HE Mutula Kilonzo Junior, CBS, Governor, County Government of Makueni
14:00 – 15:00
Conference Lunch — End of E2A 2026

The Five Conference Labs

Each day features five concurrent breakout labs that progressively deepen the conference inquiry — from mapping what has worked (Day 1), to understanding how and why it worked (Day 2), to defining what must change for an Africa-led ecosystem (Day 3). Participants are encouraged to remain in the same lab across all three days to build continuity of learning.

Lab 1 — Government & Parliamentary Lab
Audience
Government officials, policymakers, parliamentarians, M&E units
Thematic Focus
Evidence use in public policy, legislation, budgeting, oversight, and institutionalization across government systems
Day 1 Focus
How evidence informs public policy, legislation, budgeting, oversight, and institutionalization in government systems
Day 2 Focus
What Worked: Evidence-informed policy wins, legislative uptake, budget alignment
What Did Not Work: Political economy blockers, evidence ignored or misused in policy cycles
Day 3 Focus
Scaling: National evidence mandates and M&E systems
Transferability: Cross-country policy learning
Institutionalization: Embedding evidence use in public sector cycles beyond individual champions
Partner Organizations
Africa Parliamentary Network (APN) · Ghana Statistical Services · ACEPA · Parliamentary Network Africa · PASGR
Lab 2 — Financing & Investment Lab
Audience
Donors, foundations, development finance institutions, impact investors
Thematic Focus
How evidence shapes funding decisions, results-based financing, accountability frameworks, and impact investing
Day 1 Focus
How evidence shapes funding decisions, results-based financing, accountability frameworks, and impact investing
Day 2 Focus
What Worked: Funding models that embedded evidence use, flexible and results-based financing
What Did Not Work: Evidence gaps in funding decisions, accountability failures, misaligned incentives
Day 3 Focus
Scaling: Funding architectures that sustain evidence ecosystems
Transferability: Replicable financing models across donors
Institutionalization: Moving from project grants to core evidence infrastructure funding
Partner Organizations
Hewlett Foundation · Mastercard Foundation · Carnegie · AfDB
Lab 3 — Implementation & Civil Society Lab
Audience
NGOs, CSOs, development organizations, community groups
Thematic Focus
Evidence in programme adaptation, citizen engagement, advocacy, accountability, and real-time learning
Day 1 Focus
Evidence in programme adaptation, citizen engagement, advocacy, accountability, and real-time learning
Day 2 Focus
What Worked: Advocacy successes, citizen-generated evidence, community-level impact models
What Did Not Work: Programme failures, data gaps, contextual barriers to real-time learning
Day 3 Focus
Scaling: Community and CSO-led models with national reach
Transferability: Citizen-engagement and accountability tools
Institutionalization: Sustaining civil society evidence capacity beyond donor cycles
Partner Organizations
Afrobarometer · Africa Evidence Network (AEN)
Lab 4 — Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab
Audience
Researchers, academics, think tanks, policy institutes, knowledge brokers
Thematic Focus
Evidence synthesis and translation, knowledge brokering, policy engagement strategies, and methodological innovations
Day 1 Focus
Evidence synthesis, translation, knowledge brokering, policy engagement strategies, and methodological innovations
Day 2 Focus
What Worked: Research that influenced real decisions, effective knowledge brokering and evidence packaging
What Did Not Work: Evidence that failed to translate, policy windows missed, communication failures
Day 3 Focus
Scaling: Africa-owned research and synthesis infrastructure
Transferability: Evidence products that work across contexts
Institutionalization: University, think tank, and government research partnerships that endure
Partner Organizations
ISSER · PASGR · CI Network · PACKS Africa
Lab 5 — Private Sector EBDM Lab
Audience
Private sector actors, entrepreneurs, data and tech companies, MSME networks
Thematic Focus
Evidence use in business and economic transformation, impact investing, agriculture, climate, digital economy, and MSME growth
Day 1 Focus
Evidence use in business decisions, impact investing, agriculture, climate, digital economy, and MSME growth
Day 2 Focus
What Worked: Evidence-driven business and investment decisions, data systems that created value
What Did Not Work: Data gaps, AI/digital failures, MSME evidence barriers across East and West Africa
Day 3 Focus
Scaling: Data and AI platforms with continental reach
Transferability: Digital financial and MSME evidence models across East and West Africa
Institutionalization: Private sector investment in shared evidence infrastructure
Partner Organizations
ISSER (ReFinD) · Common Source · Impact Investing Ghana

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