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ESRF: A pillar of Tanzania’s economic and social development

THE Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a cornerstone of Tanzania’s development, has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s economic and social policies for three decades.

THE Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a cornerstone of Tanzania’s development, has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s economic and social policies for three decades.

Established in 1994, ESRF has provided evidence-based research to inform national policy decisions, fostering inclusive development.

“Since its inception, ESRF has been committed to promoting public understanding of economic and social issues, fostering dialogue among policymakers, researchers, and civil society organisations and enhancing the capacity of Tanzanian institutions to undertake effective policy analysis and development management,” said ESRF Executive Director, Prof Fortunata Songora Makene, during an interview recently.

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Speaking ahead of the institution’s 30th-anniversary celebration on October 21st, Professor Makene underscored the significant contributions ESRF has made, setting a high benchmark for others to follow.

“The Foundation has achieved significant milestones in these areas, contributing to a more informed and equitable development trajectory for the country,” she said.

One of ESRF’s most notable contributions has been its involvement in the formulation and review of sector policies and programmes across various domains, including finance, energy, agriculture, tourism and natural resources.

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The Foundation’s research has provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing these sectors, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and implement effective interventions. In addition to its policyoriented research, ESRF has actively built capacity.

The Foundation has designed and conducted numerous training programmes, including postgraduate diplomas, international fellowships and participant training programmes, to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to Tanzania’s development. ESRF’s impact on policymaking has been substantial.

Its research findings have informed government policies on a wide range of issues, including revenue impacts of business licensing, government-donor partnerships and poverty reduction strategies.

The Foundation has also played a crucial role in promoting dialogue between the government and civil society organisations, fostering a more inclusive and participatory policymaking process.

Highlighting the institution’s importance, Prof Makene noted that ESRF has fostered collaboration among Tanzanian experts, enabling them to take the lead in addressing economic challenges.

ESRF also organises Policy Dialogue with different colleges and for instance in this year, she said, they partner with the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA) at China Agricultural University to talk on Policy Dialogue on Tanzania-China Development experience. The Dialogue featured a Panel Discussion and Lessons from China – Tanzania Rice Cooperation.

“Topics discussed during the Panel discussion which were; Agricultural Technology Extension Process, Development Cooperation: Lessons from the Ground, Mechanism of poverty reduction and The Role of Scientific Research Institutions and Experts in Development was very crucial to consolidate the gains in our rice agriculture,” she said. “Reflections from Prof Li Xiaoyun from CIDGA were very important in helping policy makers to establish a benchmark for the said agriculture activity,” she said.

Another example is when ESRF September this year, under the Impact Evaluation Lab with the support of the Hewlett Foundation, conducted training on Impact Evaluation Methodologies to participants drawn from Government, Private sector, Academia, Research Institutions & CSOs this year.

The first session which started on 9th – 13th September 2024 focused on Introduction to core methods of impact evaluation. Some of the topics which were covered during the session included an introduction to impact evaluation and causal inference; core methods of impact evaluation namely randomised assignment, randomised promotion, regression discontinuity, and differences-in-differences.

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By equipping participants from various sectors with the skills to conduct rigorous impact evaluations, ESRF is contributing to a more evidence-based approach to policymaking, help policymakers to identify effective interventions and allocate resources more efficiently.

The training which brought together participants from diverse sectors, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing these participants can identify and address common challenges and opportunities while acquiring practical skills and knowledge needed to conduct impact evaluations.

Overall, ESRF’s training on Impact Evaluation Methodologies is a valuable initiative that has the potential to significantly improve the quality of research and policymaking in Tanzania.

“By equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge, ESRF is contributing to a more evidence-based and effective development agenda,” she said Prof Makene.

Another example of a success story is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TanzaniaInvest, the leading online platform for investors interested in Tanzania and the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a premier policy research organisation in Tanzania, to enhance the coverage and visibility of economic information related to Tanzania.

“Through this partnership, we will provide TanzaniaInvest with comprehensive economic research, data and insights. TanzaniaInvest will leverage its robust online platform and expertise to amplify and promote this economic information to investors and stakeholders interested in Tanzania’s economic landscape,” She said and elaborated further that ESRF which has also prepared a regional investment guides,will be distributed via TanzaniaInvest. “These guides aim to provide detailed insights into regional economic opportunities, investment climates and sectorspecific analyses across Tanzania, to help investors, so by having a platform for a showcase will be greatest advantages for the people” said Prof Makene.

By giving examples she emphasised the foundation’s enduring commitment to reality by having research excellence and capacity building to help Tanzanians. “For 30 years, ESRF has remained at the forefront of Tanzania’s development agenda, providing rigorous research to guide decision-makers.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we are also looking ahead, committed to addressing the emerging challenges of a rapidly changing economic landscape,” Prof Makene noted. “We remain committed to addressing contemporary issues with the same rigor and dedication that have guided our work for the past 30 years.”

Looking Ahead

ESRF plans to expand its research agenda to include global emerging trends and deepen its engagement with local communities and policymakers. The foundation will continue to play a key role in ensuring that its research directly informs policy decisions at all levels of government.

Conclusion

As ESRF enters its fourth decade, it is poised to tackle emerging challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and social inequality. The foundation’s commitment to evidence-based research, capacity development and policy engagement ensures that its contributions will continue to be indispensable in shaping Tanzania’s future.