Date : March 10-12, 2025
Venue : La Falaise Hotel, Yaoundé-Cameroon

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Background

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is a regional bloc comprising 11 member states within the African Union (AU). These countries face complex set of governance, socio-economic, and developmental challenges. Addressing these challenges requires the development and implementation of evidence-based public policies to drive sustainable growth. Despite the pressing need for evidence-based policies, governments and civil society organizations in the region often grapple with significant gaps in policy analysis, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Bridging these gaps is crucial to fostering inclusive, effective, and sustainable policymaking.

The African Union Agenda 2063 underscores the importance of evidence-based governance and institutional capacity building to achieve its vision of “The Africa We Want.” Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063 explicitly calls for “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law.” Similarly, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG) outlines commitments to strengthen institutional frameworks and support participatory governance. The African Governance Architecture (AGA) further emphasizes the need for enhanced technical and analytical capacities to ensure policy coherence and responsiveness to regional challenges.

Additional research, such as the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) 2022 Report on Capacity Building for Policy Reforms in Africa, highlights the critical role of technical and relational skills in achieving policy impact. The report identifies policy gaps and weak stakeholder engagement as key barriers to effective governance across ECCAS countries. These findings align with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Policy Analysis Framework, which stresses the importance of data-driven policy processes in fostering sustainable development.

In response to these needs and in alignment with AU and global priorities, the Nkafu Policy Institute, a leading Think Tank of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is launching the 2025 edition of its Public Policy Analysis Course (PPAC). The program is a strategic initiative aimed to provide a structured, practical platform for building capacity among policymakers, researchers, and civil society leaders to respond to ECCAS-specific challenges. This three-day annual event will enhance technical and interpersonal competencies in policy analysis, communication, and advocacy, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and fostering collaboration among ECCAS stakeholders.

By addressing these regional policy gaps, the PPAC directly supports the realization of AU frameworks, particularly those outlined in Agenda 2063 and the AGA, while reinforcing ECCAS’s role in advancing good governance and sustainable development.

Objectives

The PPAC aims to:

1. Build participants’ capacity in public policy analysis by equipping them with theoretical frameworks and practical tools.
2. Support evidence-based policymaking tailored to ECCAS-specific challenges by addressing how issues are identified, prioritized, and introduced onto the public agenda.
3. Develop participants’ communication and advocacy skills to enhance policy engagement and stakeholder management.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Enhance Technical Proficiency: Develop skills in policy analysis, evaluation, and implementation.
2. Formulate Actionable Recommendations: Learn to craft concrete and practical policy recommendations based on sound analysis.
3. Improve Writing Skills: Gain expertise in producing compelling, evidence-based opinion pieces advocating for policy reform.
4. Design Advocacy Plans: Create comprehensive advocacy strategies that include clear objectives, target audiences, messages, and tactical approaches.
5. Master Advocacy Techniques: Acquire communication and advocacy skills critical for influencing policy decisions.
6. Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate the ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders to advance policy reforms and governance initiatives.

Target Audience

The course is tailored for:

• Think Tank Professionals: Researchers and analysts involved in public policy evaluation within ECCAS countries.
• Government Officials: Policymakers responsible for formulating, implementing, and assessing public policies.
• Civil Society Leaders: Advocates working on policy reform initiatives.
• Development Practitioners: Professionals from international organizations focused on policy improvements.
• Private Sector and Media Representatives: Stakeholders engaged in public-private partnerships and policy advocacy.

The conference is limited to 25 attendees in Central Africa region comprising 04 foreign partners sponsored by the Foundation and 21 nationals selected upon payment of participation fees.

Participation Requirements

Participants are required to meet the following criteria:

1. Have a background or active interest in public policy analysis, governance, or advocacy.
2. Pay the required participation fees:
   • Students: 20,000 XAF (or XAF 25,000 for late registrations)
   • Early-Career Researchers and Professionals: 30,000 XAF (or XAF 35,000 for late registrations)

The program will accept 25 participants:

• 16 national participants
• 9 foreign participants, sponsored by the Foundation.

Detailed Course Content

The PPAC will include the following modules, delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, and group exercises:

1. Introduction to Public Policy and the Policy Cycle
2. Policy Analysis Techniques
3. Policy Context in ECCAS Countries
4. Policy Impact and Evaluation
5. Identifying Policy Gaps
6. Effective Policy Writing
7. Policy Windows and Timing
8. Role of Media and Public Opinion
9. Strategic Communication for Policy Advocacy
10. Advocacy Techniques
11. Engaging Stakeholders in Policymaking

Format, Date, and Venue

• Format: Hybrid [In-person or online via Zoom].
• Date: March 10-12, 2025 (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily).
• Venue: La Falaise Hotel, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Evaluation and Follow-Up

The evaluation process will include:

• Pre- and post-course assessments to measure learning outcomes.
• Individual and group assignments to evaluate practical application of concepts.
• Participant feedback forms to improve future sessions.

Participants will remain engaged through a dedicated alumni network, quarterly virtual check-ins, and opportunities to contribute to policy discussions organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute.

Selection Process and Timeline

The selection process will include the following steps:

1. Submission of an online application, including a motivation statement.
2. Review and shortlisting of applications based on relevance and merit.
3. Notification of selected participants from February 21, 2025.

Timeline

1. Call for Applications: November 27, 2025.
2. Application Deadline: February 14, 2025.
3. Late Applications Deadline : March 4, 2025.
4. Application Screening: February 17 _March 5, 2025.
5. Final Selection Announcement: from February 21, 2025.
6. Public Policy Analysis Course in Yaoundé: March 10 – 12, 2025

Participation Payment

Participation fees cover:

• Certificate of participation.
• Access to all workshop sessions.
• Printed copies of event materials.
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• An electronic version of the final event report.

Payment Process

Fees must be paid in full by February 11, 2025, via bank transfer or mobile payment. Payment details will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

About the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation

The Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship, science and technology innovation, public health, and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The Foundation partners with local governments, policymakers, private enterprises, civil society organizations, and development partners to expand resources available to entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners, improving individual livelihoods.

About the Nkafu Policy Institute

 The Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank with a mission to provide independent, in-depth, and insightful policy recommendations that enable all Africans to prosper in free, fair, democratic, and sustainable economies. The Institute’s team of analysts, experts, and researchers works on governance and democracy, health and education, peace and security, science and technology, and economic policy.

Contacts

 Questions related to the organization of this event can be sent to:

Dr Adeline Nembot                                                   Mr.Guy-Beaudry Jengu Jengu

Senior Policy Analyst                                                 Research Assistant

Division of Economic Affairs                                    Division of Governance and Democracy

Nkafu Policy Institute                                                 Nkafu Policy Institute [email protected]                                                                                [email protected]

Nkafu Policy Institute

P: (+237) 222 31 15 84 / (+237) 654 86 72 54 www.nkafu.org