MOTIVATION
In 2002, in response to strong demand for African agricultural economists, IFPRI’s 2020 Vision Initiative, the Eastern and Central African Policy Analysis Programme, and the African Economic Research Consortium initiated the development of a collaborative Master’s Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
OUTCOMES
- After collaboratively developing and launching the program, IFPRI successfully transferred its management to the African Economic Research Consortium in 2005. The program has thrived, expanding to support PhD staff development, refresher workshops for instructors, and thematic research. Following initial funding support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the program has secured significant funding from a consortium of donors.
- Since 2005, more than 550 students from 14 eastern and southern African countries have been enrolled in the program. The program is training Africa’s future leaders in agricultural and applied economics.
- The program has accredited seven public universities in six countries to grant MSc degrees. Its teaching, research, and outreach capacity have been upgraded so that it can offer two semesters of courses plus a thesis.
