Shaping the Future: Nkafu Policy Institute’s Public Policy Analysis Course Underway in Yaoundé

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

YAOUNDE, Cameroon—The 2025 edition of the Nkafu Public Policy Analysis Course (PPAC), organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, is underway in Yaoundé. The three-day training, which runs from March 10 to 12, brings together researchers, think tank professionals and civil society practitioners to enhance their understanding of evidence-based policymaking and improve governance in Cameroon.

The Public Policy Analysis Cours aims to arm participants with essential skills in policy formulation, evaluation and implementation. With the country facing complex developmental challenges, the program seeks to build a more knowledgeable policy community capable of designing and evaluating effective policies for national progress.

Dr Denis Foretia, Co-Chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute, speaking at the opening ceremony said PPAC is a crucial platform to equip young scholars and policymakers. To Dr Denis, this course will equip the leaders with the knowledge, skills and analytical tools needed to address the pressing governance, socio-economic and developmental challenges within the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS.

“At Nkafu, we are driven by a commitment to independent, high-quality and innovative policy solutions that contribute to economic transformation and inclusive development across Cameroon and the wider African continent,” Dr Denis Foretia stated.

“As a leading non-partisan think tank, our mission is to foster free, fair and sustainable economies with a strong emphasis on evidence-based policymaking and impactful research. This course is an extension of our commitment to empowering Africa’s next generator policy leaders by providing a rigorous and hands-on approach to public policy analysis.”

All-encompassing Training Approach

The Public Policy Analysis Course covers critical areas such as public policy concepts, problem identification, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. Participants are also introduced to building partnerships and coalitions for policy change, disseminating research findings to policymakers, and shaping public opinion.

"The problems society has is not because we don't have laws or we don't have existing people who can solve these problems, but we just have a limitation in how policy is implemented. Sometimes we have problems on the ground, but they are wrongly approached,” said Barrister Enow Martina néé Azaah, Lawyer and founder of a non-governmental organization, Women Imparting Values for Development.

“This particular training on public policy analysis is important to every Cameroonian. It's important to me, particularly as a lawyer, and as a civil society activist, because I believe that when citizens are empowered with the right knowledge, it can go a long way to drive the right information about policy.

Barrister Martina added: “You have many instances where there is a problem on the ground, but the wrong policies are deliberated upon. A lot of resources are put on the ground, and a lot of talk and mobilization is done, but at the end of the day, the design of implementation doesn't meet the problem on the ground. So, proper training on policy analysis would empower stakeholders to know what policies should be taken, what the policy option is, and what real problem to be addressed in case of what is on the ground."

“This training is timely, especially as we seek to improve governance and policy implementation in Cameroon. The knowledge gained here will help us design policies that are inclusive and effective.”

The Nkafu Policy Institute, a leading think tank known for its commitment to fostering free enterprise and economic prosperity has placed the Public Policy Analysis Course as a vibrant tool in shaping Cameroon’s policy landscape.

By empowering key stakeholders with analytical skills, the Nkafu Policy Institute hopes to contribute to better decision-making processes that align with national and international development goals.

About the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation

The Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship, science and technology innovation, public health, and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all.

The Foundation partners with local governments, policymakers, private enterprises, civil society organizations, and development partners to expand resources available to entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners, improving individual livelihoods.

About the Nkafu Policy Institute

The Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank with a mission to provide independent, in-depth, and insightful policy recommendations that enable all Africans to prosper in free, fair, democratic, and sustainable economies. The Institute’s team of analysts, experts, and researchers works on governance and democracy, health and education, peace and security, science and technology, and economic policy.