PASGR Champions Inclusive Governance at Africa Think Tank Summit 2025

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | October 8–10, 2025:

The 11th Africa Think Tank Summit convened over 500 thought leaders, policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors under the theme “From Taxation to Action: Bridging Policy and Implementation in Public Financial Management (PFM) in Africa.” The annual continental event organised by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) in collaboration with The World Bank, The Africa Union and the Ministry of Finance – Ethiopia, saw strategic partners such as the African Union Commission (AUC), the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX), and the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) play key roles in shaping the event.

 Among the many voices shaping the summit’s direction, the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) emerged as a pivotal force in advancing inclusive, evidence-informed governance.

PASGR’s Side Event: A Bold Vision for Citizen Engagement

On Day Two, PASGR hosted a high-level roundtable titled “Promoting Citizen Engagement through Accountability Audits for an Inclusive Approach to Public Financial Management (PFM) in Africa,” spotlighting the transformative potential of social research in fiscal governance. Moderated by Prof. Fadel Ndiame, PASGR’s Executive Director, the session brought together youth leaders, policy champions, and researchers to explore how taxation, informality, and social accountability intersect in Africa’s public finance systems.

Key themes included:

• Equitable Taxation: Ms. Besawit Liro, a PASGR Young Researchers Network member, highlighted the disconnect between tax systems and public benefit, calling for reforms that build trust and encourage formalization.
• Youth-Led Accountability: Dr. Yordanos Alem Hagos shared grassroots stories from Ethiopia and Tanzania, demonstrating how youth mobilization can drive local accountability and service delivery.
• Policy Accessibility: Participants emphasized the need for simplified policy documents and education in policy literacy to empower youth and marginalized groups.
• Think Tank Collaboration: Calls were made for a continental mapping of think tanks and embedding researchers within ministries to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
• Leadership and Sovereignty: Dr. Fode Ndiaye advocated for national dialogues and leadership retreats to reconnect citizens with governance and reclaim Africa’s narrative.

In a powerful keynote, Hon. Eric Simiyu Wafukho, former Cabinet Administrative Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Finance, urged a shift from elite policy discourse to inclusive platforms. His message: “Africa’s journey toward fiscal sustainability demands collaboration, innovation, and citizen engagement.”

Left: The panel during the PASGR Side Event on Day 2 of the Africa Think Tank Summit comprising of Hon Eric Wafukho, Dr Fode Ndiaye, Dr Yordanos Ahem and Ms Bezawit Liro. Prof Ndiame moderated the event. Right: Her Excellency Deputy Head of Mission for Kenya in Ethiopia Petronila Were posing for a group photo comprising Hon Eric Wafukho, ACBF staff, and PASGR staff on the sidelines of ATTSummit2025.

Across three days, the summit reinforced the urgency of African-led fiscal transformation. Plenary sessions and stakeholder forums explored:

• AI and Digital Innovation: Countries like Rwanda and Senegal showcased how AI and satellite data are revolutionizing tax compliance and revenue forecasting.
• Youth and Civil Society Inclusion: Kenya’s youth movements and CSO-led audits in Burkina Faso and Somalia demonstrated the power of participatory governance.
• Think Tanks as Reform Catalysts: Institutions like Uganda’s EPRC and Ghana’s IDEG exemplified how research can shape budget policy and citizen engagement.
• Climate and Gender Justice: Sessions emphasized integrating resilience and equity into fiscal planning, with Rwanda and Ethiopia leading the way.

PASGR’s presence at the summit was strategic: By convening diverse voices and championing accountability audits, PASGR reaffirmed its commitment to co-creating governance systems thatreflect lived realities. The announcement of a continental youth fellowship program under PASGR marks a bold step toward institutionalizing youth engagement in fiscal governance.

As the summit ended, PASGR stood out as a bridge-builder between research and reform. It marked a pivotal moment, unveiling two landmark initiatives that included a Book Launch titled, “Creation, Management, and Sustainability of Think Tanks in Africa” which is a practical guide for building resilient, credible, and impactful African policy institutions. The other initiative was a Course Launch titled, “Taxing the Digital Economy” which is a new online course developed through ACBF’s Ubora Academy, designed to equip African professionals with the tools to manage taxation in a digital world.

In the words of Mr. Mamadou Biteye, the Executive Secretary of ACBF: “Let this summit be remembered not as a meeting of words, but as a moment of movement. Every reform implemented with courage builds resilience.”

PASGR echoes this call to action. The future of Africa’s public finance lies in inclusive dialogue, evidence-informed policy, and empowered citizens. From Addis Ababa to every corner of the continent, PASGR remains committed to turning insight into impact as we look forward to Africa Think Tank Summit 2026.

Left: PASGR Executive Director Prof Fadel Ndiame addressing the ATTSummit. Right: PASGR AYPReS Programme Principal Investigator for Ethiopia making her contributions to the debate at the same summit.