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One of the high-level milestones announced during the AERC Summit 2025 was the launch of the AERC African Private Sector Platform, a new initiative that will foster structured engagement between the private sector of the continent and research institutions. 

This platform is intended to narrow the gap between economic research and the practical needs of business, calling for collaboration in expanding job creation and inclusive growth across the African continent. 

During the summit, a session hosted by AERC and Chaired by Prof. Oliver Saasa, an AERC board member and Managing Consultant at Premier Consult Ltd., explored how the private sector can leverage evidence-based policy developments at various levels-domestic, regional and global, to inform business performance. 

Prof. Saasa guided the conversation by exploring what businesses expect from research institutions, emphasizing co-creation as an important success factor. The framing of the dialogue was based on how this new platform could prioritize actions that enable sustainable industrial growth and facilitate access to markets, capital and technology.

Ms Betty Korir, CEO of Credit Bank Plc, who was among the panelists of the session emphasized the key role of the banking sector in mobilizing financial resources and supporting entrepreneurship. She stressed that policies are needed which will further enhance financial inclusion and attract investment to SMEs, which are the vital engines of job creation across Africa. She was complemented by Eng. Tadesse Tessema, CEO of TAD Motors SEZ Ltd, who gave a manufacturing perspective to show how industrial parks and special economic zones can spur local production, export growth and technological innovation if supported by conducive research and policy frameworks.

Dr George Kararach, Lead Economist at the African Development Bank and Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics, contributed an analytical view on regional economic integration and the importance of data-driven policies that reflect the complexity of African markets. He underscored that collaboration between research institutions and private businesses should be agile and responsive to the shifted global trade patterns and other economic shocks. Meanwhile, Dr Yohannes Ayalew, CEO of Amhara Bank and former Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, shared his wide experience in monetary policy and banking regulation, calling for an enabling environment that balances financial stability with innovation and access to capital for emerging enterprises.

At the end of the session, the insights shared by the panelists set a clear roadmap for the platform’s priorities, highlighting collaboration, innovation and regional integration as cornerstones for Africa’s economic future. It was clear that the AERC African Private Sector Platform will accelerate inclusive economic growth, industrial development and job creation through evidence-based policy advocacy and co-development of research agendas.