The African Center for Equitable Development (ACED) was founded in 2010 in the Republic of Benin as a nonprofit organization by three university students – Olga Abloutan, the late Donald Houessou, and Fréjus Thoto. Initially, ACED’s work involved direct field interventions such as supporting youth entrepreneurship in agribusiness and promoting climate adaptation campaigns. Ten years ago, in 2015, ACED began its first comprehensive action research project on inland fisheries, partnering with the Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. The research insights led to improved strategies for managing inland fisheries, enhancing community resilience, and clarifying regulations for fishing communities. Since then, numerous other action research projects have been successfully implemented.
ACED adopts a unique, non-linear approach that integrates research, policy, and action across all its interventions. This approach reflects our commitment to addressing a persistent challenge in the development ecosystem: while substantial resources are dedicated to research, findings often fail to reach policymakers and practitioners. Addressing this issue requires intentional efforts to enhance the uptake and application of research results. For instance, identifying the misalignment between research outcomes and policy priorities led us to assist the Government of Benin in developing a national research agenda focused on food and nutrition security, ensuring that future research is more relevant, demand-driven, and aligned with national policy needs.
Our new strategic plan emphasizes initiatives that challenge the current reality, encouraging innovative and direct actions that ensure research findings translate into tangible improvements in development outcomes. Recognizing the broader relevance and transformation potential of our approach, we have expanded beyond Benin and food systems to other francophone African countries and additional themes, including issues related to jobs, gender equality and well-being.
Throughout our journey, we have learned crucial lessons that continue to shape our strategy. We have recognized that influencing policy systems is a process that demands sustained and thorough engagement over the long term. Inclusive partnerships have proven essential, helping us develop solutions that are both sustainable and impactful. We have also discovered that effective decision-making relies on diverse forms of knowledge – beyond just scientific evidence, highlighting the importance of embracing various perspectives. Finally, investing in our own organizational development, particularly through securing sustainable funding and retaining talent, has emerged as fundamental to our enduring success and ability to create lasting impact.
