ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), has announced a US$50 million grant opportunity for African think tanks, policy institutes, researchers, and research organizations.
The funding aims to advance policy research and support evidence-based policymaking across the continent.
The grant is part of the African Think Tank Project (ATTP), a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank and jointly implemented by ACBF and AUDA-NEPAD.
The project focuses on critical continental priorities such as economic transformation, climate change, trade integration, food security, human capital development, and digitalization, with an emphasis on gender equality and regional collaboration.
A Call for Action
Speaking during the launch of the Call for Proposals in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, described the initiative as “a foundational pillar for Africa’s governance, accountability, and resilience.”
“The launch of this Call for Proposals is a call to action, an invitation to Africa’s policy institutes, researchers, and knowledge communities to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s governance and development agenda,” she stated.
World Bank Lead Economist Samer Al-Samarrai highlighted that the $50 million International Development Association (IDA) grant is designed to build institutional capacity, foster collaboration, and drive homegrown policies aligned with Agenda 2063.
“We are proud to partner with the African Union in launching this platform. The research generated here can help drive sustainable reductions in poverty across the continent,” Al-Samarrai noted.
Empowering Think Tanks
Faten Aggad, Deputy Chief of Staff at the AUC, stressed the importance of the initiative in creating a coherent and impactful policy ecosystem.
“Let us not only submit proposals but also unlock trust, build capacity, and generate impact,” she said.
Abdrahmane Dicko, Director of Programs and Impact at ACBF, underlined the urgency of empowering African think tanks to tackle pressing challenges.
“With ATTP, we equip our think tanks to transform challenges into action. Evidence is our compass, and policy is our map,” Dicko remarked.
Eligibility and Priority Themes
Under the project, think tanks are required to submit proposals that address at least four of six regional priority themes, focusing on homegrown, evidence-based analysis. Proposals must reflect local contexts and offer actionable policy recommendations.
Applications must be submitted by a consortium of three to five African think tanks, with one organization designated as the lead applicant.
