Critical For Independent Voices To Be Expanded Across Central Africa-Dr Denis Foretia

By Ajong Mbapndah L

The Central African sub region could benefit from the expansion of independent voices, says Dr Denis Foretia, C0 -Chair of the Foretia Foundation in Cameroon. Sharing insights on the work of the Foretia Foundation and the second edition of the Central African Think Tank Forum which runs from August 21-22, 2024, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Dr Foretia says it is imperative to amplify Central African voices in policy discussions.

“This year, we will convene over 150 stakeholders from the think tank ecosystem and provide an unparalleled platform for networking, experience sharing, and learning best practices. Our team has worked tirelessly to secure active participation from think tanks and researchers across the region, who are the primary focus of this forum,” Dr Foretia affirmed.

In bringing together think tanks from across the region, we're fostering an environment where ideas can be shared, best practices can be exchanged, and collaborative projects can be initiated, says Dr Denis Foretia in an exclusive interview with PAV.

“The forum tackles one of the most pressing issues facing think tanks in our region: funding. According to the On Think Tank 2023 report, 86% of African think tanks believed that the funding context was either worsening or not improving between 2022 and 2023. By bringing together think tanks and potential funders, including international organizations, we're creating opportunities for new partnerships and funding streams,” Dr Foretia,says.

By showcasing the work of regional think tanks and researchers, we're challenging the perception that quality policy research can't come from our region. This visibility is crucial for influencing both national and international policy agendas, Dr Foretia says in the interview which also covers the ground breaking work of the Foretia Foundation across Cameroon and the Central African Sub Region.

May we start by introducing the Foretia Foundation and its core programs for us?

Thank you so much for this opportunity to talk about our work. As you know, the Foundation was established over a decade ago, in 2012, with the mission to catalyze economic transformation by providing independent, in-depth, and insightful policy recommendations through evidence-based research. We focus on social entrepreneurship, science and technology, innovation, and public health to directly touch the lives of the population. We also tackle the crucial issues of governance, democracy, peace, and security in the Central Africa region. These different areas of our work are addressed through well-structured programs and projects, all implemented by our team of skilled professionals from various backgrounds.

Over the years, we've been leveraging both in-country and international expertise to conduct high-quality research which forms the basis of our advocacy, allowing us to push for policy changes. Our ultimate aim is to promote the implementation of progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all Africans.

In the 12 years of the Foretia Foundation, what are some of the signature achievements you can share and what impact would you say the work of the Foundation has had on the socio -economic landscape of Cameroon?

Where do I start? I mean, over the past 12 years, the Foundation has had many significant achievements that have positively impacted Cameroon's socio-economic landscape. At the very basic level, we are very happy every time our team is able to directly change the life of one citizen. The young leaders we have empowered through our Emerging Leaders program is a good example. I think of young students who have been part of our STEM Prize competition, directly promoting investments in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the country.

Another key achievement has been the establishment of the Small Business Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) which has become a vital player in the business incubation landscape, helping numerous small businesses, especially those owned by women and youths, transition into formal, sustainable entities. The impact of SBEC on local entrepreneurship and job creation has been substantial.

We are not even talking about the transformative work that the Nkafu Policy Institute has done in conducting research and advocating for evidence-informed policy making across a broad spectrum of issue areas. We're proud to say that Nkafu is changing perceptions about think tanks in the Central Africa region. Through high-quality research and evidence-based recommendations, we're demonstrating the crucial role think tanks can play in shaping policies and improving lives. Our regular convening of stakeholders from decision-making spheres to discuss critical issues has enhanced our advocacy efforts.

As an organization, we’ve grown into a robust institution with over 40 permanent staff members across four technical and operational departments. Our programs and projects cover a wide range of areas including entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovative technologies.

The foundation is also known for the quality of its publications including policy briefs, op-eds, articles, and diverse thematic reports which are available on the Nkafu website on www.nkafu.org and the On Policy Africa monthly magazine available on www.onpolicy.org.

What were some of the serious challenges  you and your team have faced in building the Foretia Foundation to the formidable machine that it is today?

Building the Foundation in general and setting up the Nkafu Policy Institute in particular is a dream come true. We looked at the landscape of civil society organizations in Cameroon at the time and wanted to implement an independent organization, a think tank to be precise, that would work to catalyze economic transformation across Africa. As you know, a lot of policies implemented in our country are somewhat externally generated and we don’t like that. We believe strongly that Cameroonians, and Africans, are perfectly capable of owning their destinies and driving the agenda that is best for their economic transformation. That’s what we set out to do. It hasn’t been easy, but we have made significant progress.

Some of the challenges we faced included a policymaking environment that was, and in fact, is somewhat hostile to in-country generated ideas and policy options. There is obviously a deficit of talent at the highest level, as public policy making is not something that is readily thought in our universities. And there was, and still is, the issue of capital, of funding, to maintain independence. But we have made progress in overcoming many of these by collaborating widely with various stakeholders and ensuring that whatever we do is done at the highest quality level. This has become an area of real pride for all of us at the Foundation.

 We noticed social entrepreneurship was only fairly developed within the civil society space or geared toward political activism. We wanted to change this narrative because we believed and still do, that the much-expected change could be achieved otherwise, precisely by informing decision-making through evidence-based research. So, the Nkafu Policy Institute stands as an innovative response to a long-standing issue: the need for change in all its ramifications.

Of course, there were challenges, there still are. Salient among these is the repressive nature of the civil society space in Cameroon, which makes it difficult to maintain independence and hence neutrality. But this is something we cannot barter with because our independence is what determines our neutrality and shapes the quality and impact of our work, without which we lose credibility in the face of our funders.

You may want to know that On Think Tank’s  ‘Think Tank State of the Sector 2023’ reports that 33% of think tanks in Africa say it is harder to operate, while 41% complain of a worsening political context. Another challenge that is still very vivid today is instilling the culture of think tanks as a force of proposition in the African policy-making ecosystem. Some regions like Southern and Eastern Africa are quite advanced, while Central Africa lags. Last but not least of the challenges is the deeply rooted perception within some State institutions, the media, and general citizens, that civil society organizations in general and think tanks in particular are the visible hand of invisible Western States or organizations trying to destabilize political regimes.

Despite these hurdles, we've persevered because we believe deeply in our mission. We're proud of what we've built, but we're also acutely aware that our work - and the challenges that come with it - is ongoing.

Could you share insights on the state of preparation of  the second edition of the Central Africa Think Tank Forum that the Foretia Foundation will be hosting?

Preparations for the second edition of the Central Africa Think Tank Forum (CATTF) are in full swing, and we're excited about the progress we've made. As you know, the Central Africa region is undoubtedly the most challenged region on the continent. From weak institutions, closing civic space, limited interregional trade to poor economic performance.

Last year, we established the Central Africa Think Tank Forum to bring together policy makers, researchers, think tankers, and funders from around the region to a common platform with the goal to deepen understanding of common challenges, and to empower independent voices in the Central African Region. Building on last year’s success, we've been working diligently to ensure this year's forum is even more impactful.

This year, we will convene over 150 stakeholders from the think tank ecosystem and provide an unparalleled platform for networking, experience sharing, and learning best practices. Our team has worked tirelessly to secure active participation from think tanks and researchers across the region, who are the primary focus of this forum. Also participating will be policymakers from government agencies, civil society organizations, international donors, and diplomatic missions.

Based on lessons from the first edition that took place last year, what are some of the changes that participants should expect from the 2024 edition?

One of the very exciting things about this year’s program is that attendees will meet, get to know and interact with our 2024 class of Emerging Leaders. These 20 dynamic young leaders are a force to be reckoned with, and we cannot wait to see the learning and friendships that come from the Forum.

Also, we have improved the participant experience this year, and have rolled out a user-friendly event app providing participants with every information they will need about the forum. We've engaged resource persons from within the region to provide keynote speeches and share civil society perspectives on how CSOs can contribute to solving development challenges. There will also be many breakout sessions for participants to engage deeply with specific themes and actively collaborate.

In terms of participation, may we know some of the partners expected in Yaoundé for the 2024 CATTF?

We’ve brought together many organizations and their leaders. These include Institute for Security Studies (ISS), REDHAC, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), IDRC, Canadian High Commission, GIZ, and many others.

Compared to the rest of Africa, there is a perception that Central Africa scores low on issues from democracy, civil society, business, entrepreneurship, and more, how do you think initiatives like the CATTF can turn things around for the sub region?

You're right to point this out, and it's one of the key reasons why initiatives like the Central Africa Think Tank Forum are so crucial for our region.

To give you some context, the 2020 Global Think Tank Index ranking didn't feature a single think tank from Central Africa among the world's top institutions. The statistics are quite telling: Central Africa has only 63 classified think tanks, compared to 102 in South Africa alone, 64 in Kenya, and 52 in Nigeria. These numbers reflect the challenges our region faces in terms of research capacity and policy influence.

The CATTF aims to address these issues head-on. First and foremost, it provides a platform for networking and collaboration. By bringing together think tanks from across the region, we're fostering an environment where ideas can be shared, best practices can be exchanged, and collaborative projects can be initiated.

Secondly, the forum tackles one of the most pressing issues facing think tanks in our region: funding. According to the On Think Tank 2023 report, 86% of African think tanks believed that the funding context was either worsening or not improving between 2022 and 2023. By bringing together think tanks and potential funders, including international organizations, we're creating opportunities for new partnerships and funding streams.

Moreover, the forum serves as an amplifier for Central African voices in policy discussions. By showcasing the work of regional think tanks and researchers, we're challenging the perception that quality policy research can't come from our region. This visibility is crucial for influencing both national and international policy agendas.

While we don't expect to solve all these issues overnight, we believe that initiatives like the CATTF are vital for gradually shifting the narrative and improving the capacity of Central African think tanks.

What post event mechanisms do you have in place to monitor the success and impact of the CATTF as it enters its second year, is there confirmation that the Forum is here to stay and will be held annually?

Yes, we have every intention to have this as an annual forum. This is critical for expanding independent voices across the entire Central Africa region and to ensure that think tanks and civil society organizations become stronger and stronger. This is absolutely important if we are to stimulate and sustain the type of economic development we’ve seen in other regions of the world. So, our key metric from this Forum, is how much collaboration from participating institutions can we generate that will be mutually re-enforcing. Because the real goal of this forum is to push for institutional collaboration, knowledge-sharing and strategic partnerships. We already have initiatives for mutual capacity-building both on the technical side and on the organizational side. I would be remise if I do not thank our key supporters most notably, OSF-Africa, IDRC, Templeton World Charity Foundation, the Atlas Network and GIZ.

Post forum, the key concerns or questions should be: how many policy formulations are we able to effect in terms of policy change? One of the evaluations will be to assess how think tanks can effectively contribute to policy formulation in the Central African region and across the African ecosystem. What percentage of women or young people are increasingly involved in decision-making spaces or represented in the political space? These are all issues trending in the Central African region which we want to thematize in the course of this forum. We will be monitoring to see how many of our recommendations post the forum will be taken into consideration by policymakers as well as funders. Bear in mind that many areas are still not funded, perhaps because donors don’t see an interest in these areas. So, we hope to bring these areas into the limelight and highlight the pressing societal challenges in these areas while raising awareness for funding.

Any last sales pitch you may want to make to governments within the sub region, to potential participants, and international and local partners on the merits of joining and taking the CATTF seriously?

The Central Africa Think Tank Forum offers a unique and valuable opportunity for all stakeholders in the region's development. For governments, it's an opportunity to engage with their countrymen and women on policy solutions on Central Africa's challenges. For researchers and policy professionals, it's an unparalleled platform for networking, learning, and amplifying their work. Our international partners can gain fresh perspectives on regional issues and identify new collaborators, while local partners can contribute to building a more robust civil society.

Ultimately, this forum is about harnessing our collective expertise to address the complex challenges facing Central Africa. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, each with unique insights, we're fostering an environment where evidence-based policy-making can thrive and independent voices can drive positive change. We invite you all to be part of this important initiative and help shape the future of our region.

Back to the Foretia Foundation where we started, how do you envision the future, any broad outlines on what should be expected in the years to come?

Despite the challenges facing think tanks and independent voices in Central Africa, we want to remain optimistic about the expected change in the narrative that CSOs are a vital development vehicle in any society and deserve an enabling space to work towards achieving this noble mission. We look forward to a time when the policy and decision-makers in Central Africa will stop considering independent voices as threats but as strategic development partners. This is our dream, and we are devoted to working towards achieving it. Of course, our goal is to sustain strategic initiatives like this. We definitely need everyone’s hand on deck.

*Culled from August Issue of PAV. Bruno Ittia is the Director of Communications at the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation