By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – The Nkafu Policy Institute is taking part in the 1st K4T Partner Network Meeting scheduled from March 23 to 26, 2026, in Berlin, a significant step in strengthening international collaboration on policy research and development.
The institute is being represented at the highest level by its Executive Chairman, Denis Foretia, and Deputy Director, Julienne Mesumbe. Their participation underlines Nkafu’s growing role in global policy conversations and its commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions to Africa’s development challenges.
The K4T meeting brings together African research institutions alongside German and broader European stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society actors, and international cooperation partners. The objective is to identify synergies, deepen partnerships, and co-create coordinated strategies to address pressing global and regional development issues.
For Nkafu, the event represents a routine engagement. It is also an opportunity to help shape the future of international collaboration by leveraging shared knowledge and collective expertise. The institute aims to contribute to building a more interconnected ecosystem where research findings can effectively inform policy decisions both within Africa and beyond.
At the heart of the discussions is the critical role of evidence-based economic policymaking in driving sustainable development across the continent. Experts argue that well-informed policies are essential for fostering economic growth, creating decent jobs for Africa’s rapidly expanding youth population, and achieving national and international development goals.
However, despite the abundance of research institutions across Africa, their contributions often remain underutilised. Studies indicate that less than one per cent of research on African economic issues published in leading scientific journals originates from African institutions. This disparity has significant implications, as it means that both domestic and international policies may fail to fully reflect the realities and insights grounded in local contexts.
Participants at the Berlin meeting are expected to address these challenges, including the limited influence of African researchers in global policy debates, resource constraints faced by think tanks, and the barriers to effectively communicating research findings to decision-makers.
African research institutes are uniquely positioned to provide context-specific solutions to the continent’s economic and social challenges. Their proximity to local realities allows them to generate insights that are both practical and relevant. Yet, many face hurdles such as inadequate funding, limited institutional capacity, and restricted access to global policy platforms.
The K4T Partner Network Meeting seeks to bridge these gaps by fostering collaboration between African and European institutions. Through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action, stakeholders hope to amplify the impact of research and ensure that policy decisions are better informed by credible data and analysis.
For the Nkafu Policy Institute, participation in the Berlin meeting aligns with its broader mission of promoting economic development through fact-based research and policy advocacy. By engaging with international partners, the institute aims to strengthen its capacity and expand its influence in shaping policies that drive sustainable growth in Cameroon and across Africa.
