On Think Tanks Conference 2025

Interactive Workshop for Think Tanks: How to Break Barriers and Grow Stronger Partnerships.

The Institute for Economic Development co-convened a workshop to explore the challenges that policy research institutions — particularly in Africa — face when trying to translate research into influence. The workshop was part of the On Think Tanks Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The discussion peeled away the various layers of network barriers faced by local and regional think tanks. The dialogue addressed persistent bottlenecks: delayed responses, fragmented networks, missed opportunities, and the difficulty of getting research in front of the right actors at the right time.

The session provided space to unpack where these disconnects occur — and how to close them. Together with stakeholders across regions, the Institute explored ways to build faster, more responsive partnerships by reducing friction, strengthening access, and rethinking how institutions collaborate. The conversation reinforced a core truth: high-quality research is not enough on its own; engagement and dissemination — fast, far and for all — remains key for the continued relevance of knowledge products.

This network-building is central to the Institute’s goal of helping premier local institutions connect more directly to the research, platforms, and opportunities that shape development outcomes.