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06 November 2024 - 07 November 2024

2024 EPA FORUM : Enhancing evidence ecosystems in francophone Africa

Pullman Hotel Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire Organized by: The African Center for Equitable Development (ACED)

About EPA Forum

The Evidence-Policy-Action (EPA) Forum is an initiative of the African Center for Equitable Development (ACED). It is designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among those involved in generating, mobilizing, and utilizing evidence for coherent, efficient, equitable, and impactful policies and practices. ACED broadly defines "evidence" as statistical data, research findings, evaluation results, expert opinions, and indigenous knowledge, which are crucial for formulating, implementing, and evaluating policies, plans, programs, and projects.

The EPA Forum provides a unique platform for dialogue and interaction among key development stakeholders, including researchers, experts, think tanks, policymakers, and practitioners. This space is essential for promoting a culture of systematic evidence use in decision-making processes. The EPA Forum aims to (i) inform research agendas for more relevance in decision-making, (ii) acquaint development practitioners with the latest research findings, solutions, and innovations for ownership and application, (iii) equip decision-makers with the necessary insights to craft coherent, efficient, and equitable policies, and (iv) support all development actors in designing and implementing targeted, impactful interventions.

As a tool for regional integration, the EPA Forum promotes co-learning and knowledge sharing, connecting the various spheres of evidence generation, mobilization, and use. Focusing on francophone Africa, the EPA Forum seeks to accelerate the systematization and institutionalization of evidence use while fostering co-learning with other African regions.

About the 2024 EPA Forum

The 2024 EPA Forum is the fifth edition of this regional gathering of stakeholders of evidence policy systems. This edition, whose theme is “Enhancing evidence ecosystems in francophone Africa” highlights the importance of system strengthening and learning in promoting evidence-informed decision-making. The 2024 EPA Forum is co-organized by Africa LEEPS and co-hosted by CIRES' Cellule d'Analyse des Politiques Économiques.

The 2024 edition of the EPA Forum builds on the tradition of dialogue and co-learning among evidence stakeholders, a tradition established and nurtured by previous editions. Held in Cotonou in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and in Abidjan in 2023, these forums have provided key players in the evidence ecosystem with opportunities to reconnect and discuss various challenges related to the production and use of evidence in Africa. Moreover, they have highlighted the need to broaden the scope of these discussions to include other regions across the continent.

EPA Forum strategic objectives

The 2024 EPA Forum builds on past editions and aims to:

  1. Assess progress in strengthening national ecosystems for evidence-based decision-making.
  2. To provide a space for peer-to-peer learning and stakeholder engagement on knowledge mobilization and use in francophone Africa.
  3. Showcase success stories and build momentum and partnerships around evidence-informed decision-making in francophone Africa.

Format and mode of participation in the 2024 EPA Forum

The 2024 EPA Forum will bring together representatives and key stakeholders from evidence policy systems, funders, and organizations actively promoting evidence use in Africa. The 2024 EPA Forum will take place in a mixed format (in person and online) at Pullman Hotel Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, from November 06 to 07, 2024. Attendance is by invitation only. Online participation is free.