By: Goshu Melisew
The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Addis Ababa, marking a major milestone in its journey of capacity building, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based policymaking across the continent.
Organized in partnership with the Ethiopian Evaluation Association (EEVA), Ethiopia’s Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD), and other key stakeholders, the event has brought together more than 300 participants. Attendees include government leaders, policymakers, evaluators, and development experts from Africa and beyond.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa (PhD), emphasized the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving the African Union’s “Agenda 2063—The Africa We Want.”
“As we align our national development aspirations with the Sustainable Development Goals, guided by the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ and the AU’s Agenda 2063, we recognize that strong monitoring and evaluation systems are indispensable for tracking our progress,” she said.
Fitsum also noted that celebrating AfrEA’s 25th anniversary in Addis Ababa is symbolic and timely, reinforcing Ethiopia’s role as a hub of African unity, policy dialogue, and institutional development.
“The Government of Ethiopia profoundly recognizes the critical role of evaluation in fostering evidence-based policymaking, accountability, transparency, and continuous learning. The current administration, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has shown unprecedented commitment to the well-being of its citizens,” she added.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, AfrEA President Miché Ouédraogo called for evaluation to become central to Africa’s development agenda, describing it as both a patriotic act and a legacy for future generations.
“Our young and emerging evaluators embody this vision. Their creativity and determination are among our greatest assets. We must invest in them now, for they will lead us into the future,” he stated.
Ouédraogo also urged the integration of technological tools in evaluation practice.
“In this era of technological transformation, let us embrace digital innovation and artificial intelligence to make evaluation more inclusive, agile, and impactful,” he added.
The president called on countries, development partners, and institutions to support the expansion of Made-in-Africa evaluation, an approach that is African-led, African-owned, and African-inspired.
The three-day celebration is taking place from June 16 to 18, 2025, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa.