MEFMI Critical to the Region

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) launched the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report on 22 January 2015.  MEFMI was represented by Mr Patrick Mutimba, Director Financial Sector Management Programme at the event which took place at ACBF office in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania publishes the report which is highly respected by researchers as the most comprehensive ranking of the world’s top Think Tanks.  The Go To Index aims to provide an understanding of the role think tanks play in governments and civil societies. It also provides a platform for using this knowledge, in assisting to improve capacity and performance of Think Tanks globally. It also highlights critical threats and opportunities faced by Think Tanks.

“In a world filled with tweets and sound bites that are often superficial and politically charged, it is critical to know where to turn for sound policy proposals that address our complex policy issues,” says James McGann, PhD, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program. “This independent Index is designed to help identify and recognize the leading centers of excellence in public policy research around the world.”

The annual report is compiled with assistance from over 3000 peer institutions and experts from the print and electronic media, academia, public and private donor institutions, and governments around the world and covered 6,681 Think Tanks in the 2014 Edition. These global Think Tanks were reviewed across four general categories:

• Top Think Tanks in the World

• Top Think Tanks by Region

• Top Think Tanks by Area of Research

• Top Think Tanks by Special Achievement

The main considerations for the ranking are; 

–         Resource indicators: (The scholarly and analytical reputation of its staff members and consultants, the level, quality, and stability of financial support)

–         Utilization indicators: (Reputation as a reference point for media houses),

–         Scholarly Output indicators: (Number and quality of policy proposals generated and publications  produced as well as commitment to independent research and analysis),

–          Impact indicators: (Recommendations considered or adopted by policymakers and ability to convene key policy actors as well as partnerships with other think tanks.)

Generally stable funding has been indicated as a critical factor in the success of a think tank. Think Tanks have faced dramatic shifts in funding patterns. In response to this many have used the internet, social networking, and cloud computing to put greater emphasis on external relations and marketing strategies. This has inadvertently led to a blurring of the lines between Think Tanks and journalism.

According to the report MEFMI is ranked 58 out of 467 Think Tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa. If one were to consider the other 149 Think tanks in Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia then Africa is home to about 616 Think Tanks. This is 9.2% of global Think Tanks however the continent’s GDP estimated at US$2.5  trillion is only 3.3% of global output of US$75 trillion.  By that indicator, local Think Tanks have a long way to go to improve livelihoods of Africans.