AEN About Us Africa Evidence Network

We are the largest Africa-focused evidence-informed decision-making network

The Africa Evidence Network (AEN) was established in 2012 as a broad pan-African community, which now has grown to over 5000 members. The Network is open to all who live and work on the continent. It is unique in its inclusivity and diversity in six broad dimensions. It spans i) all countries in Africa; ii) all sectors across the Sustainable Development Goals; iii) all spheres, including government, academia, civil society, citizens, and all intermediaries; iv) the full diversity of roles within these spheres from members of parliaments to programme managers to researchers; v) all elements of the evidence production and use cycle, from the generation of evidence to its integration into policy and implementation; and vi) all types of evidence from administrative data, to evaluations of all kinds, to experimental research, to citizen experiences and systematic syntheses of primary studies. Its strategic goals are to: foster collaboration among those engaged in or supporting evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in Africa, increase knowledge and understanding of EIDM, share capacities across the EIDM ecosystem, improve the enabling context by promoting EIDM in Africa, and advocate for Africa’s full voice and participation in the national, regional, and global movements to increase EIDM.

Our vision, mission and goals

Our vision

To see an end to poverty and inequality in Africa.

Our mission

To work with others to contribute to reducing poverty and inequality by increasing the use of evidence in decision-making.

Our goals

Foster collaboration among those engaged in or supporting evidence-informed decision-making in Africa.
Increase knowledge and understanding of evidence-informed decision-making in Africa.
Share capacities across the evidence-informed decision-making ecosystem in Africa.
Improve the enabling context by promoting and advocating evidence-informed decision-making in Africa.
Ensure the Network’s own organisational excellence, as a sustainable evidence-informed member-driven organisation.

Our governance structures

The AEN governance structure comprises a Council of Chairs, which is a body aimed at strengthening the Network’s governance processes while ensuring a member-driven approach. They are responsible for appointing and overseeing the AEN Director, developing and monitoring the AEN strategy, mission, and vision, advocating for AEN, supporting fundraising efforts, and enhancing the Network’s impact.

The AEN Council of Chairs consists of representatives from different regions and constituencies to ensure diverse and inclusive leadership within the Network.

The AEN Chair
Regional Chairs
Constituency Representative Chairs
Two Ex-Officio Members

The AEN Chair, Dr Rhona Mijumbi-Deve, leads the Council of Chairs by guiding and supporting the AEN’s collective vision for advancing the use of evidence across the continent.

Central Africa – Dr Patrick Mbah Okwen
East Africa – Dr Josephine Watera
Global Chair – Shelly-Ann Hunte
North Africa – Olfa SOUKRI
Southern Africa – Dr Jennifer Opare-Kumi
West Africa – Kirchuffs Atengble
Youth Chair – Penka Marthe Bogne
Founding Chair – Prof Ruth Stewart
AEN Director – To be appointed by the AEN Council of Chairs

Our team

The AEN is led by the Director: Siziwe Ngcwabe and the co-chair: Rhona Mijumbi. Siziwe heads the AEN Secretariat which includes the following team members: Charity Chisoro (Programme officer: Enhancing Evidence Capacities), Andile Madonsela (Programme officer: Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Innovations), Gloria Anderson (Programme Officer: Stakeholder Management and Communities of Practice), and Jiyaad Armien (Digital Media Designer).