What this life looks like
You are the thinker behind the decisions that shape societies. Policy Analysts research complex social, economic, and governance challenges, analyse the evidence, evaluate policy options, and make recommendations to governments, international organisations, NGOs, and think tanks. In Africa — where policy decisions directly affect the lives of over a billion people — rigorous, evidence-based policy analysis is one of the most important contributions a professional can make.
What she actually does
You identify policy problems, research their causes and context, review what has worked elsewhere, analyse trade-offs between different policy approaches, consult stakeholders, write policy briefs and reports, present findings to decision-makers, monitor and evaluate the impact of policies once implemented, and contribute to public debate through publications and media.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Think Tanks | African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), Institute for Security Studies (ISS), SAIIA, Brookings Africa |
| Development Finance | African Development Bank, World Bank Africa, IMF Africa — all employ policy analysts |
| Government | Economic planning ministries, Budget offices, National Planning Commissions, Presidential advisers |
| International NGOs | Oxfam Africa Policy, ONE Campaign Africa, ONE Policy, Gates Foundation Africa policy teams |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa's policy challenges — from universal health coverage to climate adaptation to digital regulation to post-conflict reconstruction — require analysts who combine deep contextual knowledge of African realities with rigorous analytical training. Think tanks, development banks, government ministries, and international organisations all need African policy analysts who can produce high-quality evidence for complex decisions.
Your pathway in
- Study Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or Social Sciences at university
- Pursue a Master's in Public Policy (MPP) or Public Administration (MPA) — Harvard Kennedy School, LSE, and African universities offer these
- Develop strong quantitative and qualitative research skills — policy analysis requires both
- Gain experience with think tanks, NGOs, government policy units, or development organisations
- Build expertise in a policy domain: health, education, trade, climate, or digital economy
Skills you will need
- Research methodology
- Policy writing and communication
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Economic and social analysis
- Evidence synthesis
A woman in this field
Vera Songwe
Cameroon
Vera served as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) — effectively Africa's chief economic policy adviser — from 2017 to 2023. A PhD economist and former World Bank director, she shaped Africa's economic and climate policy agenda on the global stage, including during the COVID-19 pandemic when she championed access to vaccines and economic relief for African nations. She is one of the continent's most respected policy voices.
Take your first step
- Read a policy brief — the African Development Bank, Brookings Africa, and ACET all publish short, accessible policy analyses on major African issues
- Practise writing a one-page policy brief on a problem you see in your community — state the problem, analyse causes, and recommend solutions
- Research the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) at acetforafrica.org — it is one of Africa's leading policy think tanks
- Study what the National Planning Commission does in your country — they set the long-term development policy agenda
Careers close to this one
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