PRB

Africa Director Aïssata Fall represented PRB at the 15th Global Workshop of the National Transfer Accounts (NTA) Network, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 10-13, 2025. The workshop featured keynote speakers, training sessions on NTA methodology, research-sharing opportunities, and discussions on population, economics, and policy through the NTA framework. This methodology provides valuable insights into how individuals produce, consume, share, and save resources across different age groups.

High-Level Policymaker Engagement for Impactful Discussions

A key highlight of the workshop was the high-level dialogue that PRB facilitated between African researchers and policymakers. This discussion focused on how NTA research plays a crucial role in fulfilling countries’ commitments to the African Union Roadmap for Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth and fostering inclusive development.

The session, titled “Using NTA Evidence in National Development Plans,” examined how NTA-driven research is influencing national budgeting processes in African countries. By leveraging demographic data and financial flows across age groups, policymakers can improve efficiency and equity in budget planning, ensuring that investments align with demographic realities.

Showcasing African Leadership in NTA-Driven Policy

High-level officials from Africa shared how NTA-based evidence is strengthening national debates on demographic dynamics, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and aligning labor force investments with demographic shifts. The discussions underscored how NTAs provide concrete, numerical evidence that informs inclusive and responsive policies for children, youth, and older populations.

The session fostered a dynamic exchange on data-driven policy design, illustrating how African countries can better integrate population dynamics into national development strategies. Benin, Nigeria, and Senegal showcased Africa’s growing collaborative efforts to harness the demographic dividend, demonstrating a continent-wide commitment to linking research with policymaking.

Beyond data, this session told Africa’s story as a continent actively bridging research and policy to achieve its commitments to the African Union’s roadmap.

PRB’s Aïssata Fall presents findings on using NTA data for the African Union Roadmap for the demographic dividend.

Global Recognition of Africa’s Collaborative Approach

The dynamic of African collaboration was praised by Asian colleagues, who expressed keen interest and inspiration from Africa’s national observatories for monitoring the demographic dividend. The dialogue reinforced the idea that effective collaboration between researchers and policymakers not only enhances public policy but also helps refine research questions and priorities to drive meaningful change.

PRB’s Role and Key Contributions

PRB successfully facilitated this session, drawing on valuable insights from its collaboration with CREG (Consortium Régional pour la Recherche en Economie Générationnelle de Thiès). This experience builds on the use of NTA and NTA data, particularly within the framework of the Counting Women’s Work project, funded by the Hewlett Foundation.

The success of the session was also due to the invaluable contributions of high-level policymakers who engaged in meaningful discussions and shared their national experiences.

Panelists

• Benin: Ms. Armelle Ahamide – Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning and Development
• Nigeria: Mr. Baruwa Basit – Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics
• Nigeria: Prof. Lanre Olaniyan – Training and Research Program in Health Policy, University of Ibadan
• Senegal: Prof. Latif Dramani – Coordinator of CREG

Panelists, from left to right: Lauren Gelfand (consultant with CREG), Ms. Armelle Ahamide (Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Benin), Mr. Baruwa Basit (Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria), Prof. Latif Dramani (Coordinator of CREG, Senegal), Prof. Lanre Olaniyan (Training and Research Program in Health Policy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria), Aïssata Fall (PRB Africa Director)