Ethiopia to host landmark AfrEA conference

-Gathering marks AfrEA’s 25th anniversary

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia is set to host the African Evaluation Association’s (AfrEA) continental conference from June 16 to 18, 2025, marking a significant moment for African-led development evaluation as the association celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The event is being organized in collaboration with AfrEA, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD), and the Ethiopian Evaluation Association (EEA).

Speaking at a media briefing, AfrEA President Miché Ouédraogo (PhD) emphasized the importance of promoting evaluation approaches that are grounded in African realities. “AfrEA has reached a major milestone in advancing evidence-based policymaking and knowledge generation through an African lens,” he stated. The conference, he added, aims to strengthen the foundation for culturally relevant evaluation practices across the continent.

MoPD State Minister Tirumar Abate said hosting this high-profile event will bolster Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to institutionalize evaluation systems. “This symbolic conference will help reinforce the use of evaluation to inform programs, policies, and national development strategies. It also presents a valuable opportunity for African nations to share best practices tailored to their own contexts,” she noted.

Tirumar underscored that the MoPD is committed to embedding evaluation into its national  development agenda, ensuring that decisions are based on data and measurable outcomes. She added that such forums support the realization of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting accountability and learning.

EEA President Dereje Mamo also highlighted the association’s role in strengthening Ethiopia’s evaluation ecosystem. “We have developed national evaluation standards and a five-year strategic plan aligned with AfrEA’s goals and Ethiopia’s 10-Year Development Plan,” he said. The EEA, he added, continues to work with local and international partners to build evaluation capacity and improve evidence use across sectors.

Over 300 international participants are expected to attend the event in Addis Ababa, including policymakers, evaluators, researchers, and development partners.

The conference is seen as a unique platform to promote mutual learning, build partnerships, and elevate the visibility of African-rooted evaluation systems in shaping policy and development trajectories.

BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2025

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