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AERC Kicks Off High-Level Summit on Africa’s Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth

International and local economic leaders have opened a three-day Research and Policy Summit hosted by the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), dedicated to charting new pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth across the African continent.

Held under the theme “A Renewed AERC for Africa’s New Development Priorities,” the summit brings together economists, policymakers, academics, private sector executives, and development partners to address pressing macroeconomic and structural challenges shaping Africa’s development trajectory.

A Platform for Evidence-Based Policy

Speaking at the opening ceremony, attended by State Department for Economic Planning Principal Secretary Bonface Barasa Makokha, AERC Executive Director Prof. Victor Murinde emphasized that the summit offers a timely avenue to reinforce stakeholder support for rigorous, evidence-based policymaking.

In remarks delivered on his behalf, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi urged participants to redefine the continent’s development narrative—one centered on inclusive prosperity, resilient systems, and dignified livelihoods rather than headline GDP growth alone.

“For decades, Africa’s development discourse has been shaped by external prescriptions. Today, we must reclaim our narrative and invent models that deliver our economic prosperity,” said CS Mbadi.

He highlighted Kenya as an example of a nation endowed with human capital, fertile land, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial dynamism—calling for a shift away from dependency on foreign aid toward self-reliance, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Leading Voices in African Economic Policy

The summit convened an influential roster of policymakers, including:

- Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, AERC Board Chair
- Dr. Lesetja Kganyago, Governor, Reserve Bank of South Africa
- Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, Governor, Bank of Uganda
- Michel Dzombala, Vice Governor, Bank of Central African States
- Dr. Francis Chipimo, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Zambia

Prof. Murinde noted that the summit reinforces the goals of the AERC 10-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2035), which aims to cultivate a new generation of African economists capable of advancing frontier research and influencing policy across the continent.

“This Summit reaffirms our commitment to rigorous, policy-relevant research and strengthens Africa’s capacity to craft evidence-based solutions for pressing economic challenges,” he stated.

Launch of the African Private Sector Platform

A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of the African Private Sector Platform (APSP), designed to enhance collaboration between researchers and private-sector actors. According to Prof. Aryeetey, the initiative will support private-sector-led economic transformation, strengthen evidence-informed advocacy, and accelerate innovation.

“This milestone reinforces our dedication to nurturing world-class African economists and ensuring that African perspectives shape global economic discourse,” Prof. Aryeetey said.

Central Bank Governors Lead High-Level Dialogue

A High-Level Roundtable brought together central bank governors from Uganda, West African states, and Zambia to discuss shared economic headwinds, monetary policy coordination, and strategies to build long-term resilience across African economies.

A Deep Dive Into Africa’s Development Priorities

Across the three-day summit, parallel sessions will showcase new research on topics critical to Africa’s future, including:

- Macroeconomic policy and fiscal reform
- Trade, competitiveness, and regional integration
- Labor markets and human capital development
- Climate resilience and environmental sustainability
- Financial sector development and the digital economy

These discussions aim to enable scholars and policymakers to refine actionable recommendations and strengthen Africa’s capacity to drive sustainable, inclusive development across the continent.