The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is one of the most active Research and Capacity Building Institutions (RCBIs) in Africa. Established in 1988, AERC is a public, not-forprofit organization devoted to advanced economic policy research and training. The AERC’s mission is to strengthen local capacity for an independent, rigorous inquiry into problems in the management of African economies, through programmes that combine economics research with postgraduate training in economics and agricultural economics, supported by an interactive communications and policy outreach programme