TMEA, AERC partner to increase availability of data, build evidence for policy decisions in East Africa
East Africa trade body TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) have partnered to support a research programme that will increase the availability of data and evidence to support inclusive trade and gender policies in East Africa. The new programme, worth $500,000 is funded by the government of the Netherlands and will be implemented until 2023.
AERC Executive Director Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u said: “Data provides evidence that results in policy clarity. This is critical for private investments because markets respond to policy clarity.” He further reiterated AERC’s commitment to improving the quality of research and data in the region.
Amplifying the role of data in supporting evidence based and sound policies and programmes, TMEA CEO Frank Matsaert said: “Research plays an important part in optimisation of programmes as it helps in understanding issues better.” Giving the example of reducing transport costs and time across East Africa corridors, Matsaert pointed out that the biggest success will come when efficiency in trade translates to benefits for consumers and not only for those in business. We can see business players such as logistics firms benefit from efficient trade. We do not want to just make trade efficient across the region; we want to see consumers and the wider economy reap benefits of efficient trade. Research will help us understand pinch points that will inform our portfolio responses.”
The new programme responds to the urgent need for enhancing data availability, knowledge and research capacity needed for sound poverty-reducing trade policy analysis at the EAC Secretariat, Ministries Departments and Agencies and other development partners. By the end of the programme, there will be reliable, accurate and accessible trade statistics and data that can be used by governments and private sector actors to inform policy discussions and formulation and implementation of new trade strategies. Policy clarity will translate to investments therefore jobs and economic prosperity.
