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The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) launched an Advanced Econometrics Technical Training Workshop in Nairobi. The event runs from  7 – 18 October 2024. The ten-day hybrid workshop has attracted 44 participants drawn from 21 African countries and aims to improve the researchers’ competency by building analytical capacity in conducting rigorous and policy-relevant research.

While making the opening remarks, AERC Executive Director, Prof. Victor Murinde, welcomed the participants and expressed enthusiasm towards the workshop being a great platform to converge and discuss the recent developments in econometrics. He added that econometrics is an important tool in the econometrics profession and hoped the training would begin an exciting journey of improving technical competence and enhancing the publication profiles of the researchers. 

Moreover, Prof. Murinde said that the technical workshop will be a step forward in enhancing the researchers’ competence in using econometric tools, promoting cross-learning, and supporting informed policymaking in African countries.  He emphasized the importance of the researchers to the network as AERC prepares for the next strategic plan that will focus on the consortium being the locus of excellence in economic research in Africa. 

Dr. Abbi Kedir, AERC Research Director, said that the workshop offers an opportunity for the researchers to upskill and retool by providing an experience of venturing into exciting realms of advanced econometrics including the use of Artificial Learning (AI) and Machine learning. 

Dr. Kedir advised the researchers that the mastery of econometrics comes from not just using fantastic state-of-the-art econometric techniques, but also understanding the fundamentals behind the innovative methodologies that will be shared during the training. He concluded by encouraging the participants to practice econometrics responsibly since doing this is the right direction for fast-tracking productivity.  

AERC has made remarkable progress in capacity building, advancing research, and graduate training to shape African economic policies for over 35 years. The strategic mission of AERC is based on the belief that sustained development in sub-Saharan Africa is necessary for well-trained, locally based professional economists. Therefore, this technical workshop, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Human Capital Development Project, continues to build on the mission of strengthening the capacity and generating policy-relevant economics research.