AfrEA Promotes Youth and “Made in Africa” Evaluation at Tanzania Week 2025

The 2025 Tanzania Evaluation Week took place from 10 to 13 September with a resounding commitment to the future of African development. In a strategic move to bolster the continent’s evaluation capacity, the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) stepped forward as a key partner, combining high-level advocacy with targeted financial support for Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs).

The week’s proceedings were headlined by a keynote address from Baraka Mfingile, Co-Chair of the AfrEA Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEE) network. Delivering a speech on behalf of the AfrEA President, Mfingile articulated a clear and urgent vision: the need to institutionalize evaluation systems that are not only robust but deeply rooted in African realities. He emphasized that the sustainability of the profession relies on bridging the gap between established experts and the next wave of professionals.

Investing in the Future: A Focus on YEEs

Beyond the podium, another significant contribution from AfrEA was its direct investment in the event. Recognizing that the future of evaluation lies with the youth, AfrEA’s financial support was primarily dedicated to sponsoring the participation of Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs).

This targeted funding was a game-changer for many early-career professionals who might otherwise have been unable to attend. AfrEA ensured that the Tanzania Evaluation Week was not just a gathering of senior officials, but a vibrant space for intergenerational dialogue. Through this support, AfrEA is actively cultivating a pipeline of skilled evaluators ready to tackle the continent’s development challenges.

The success of the Tanzania Evaluation Week 2025 stands as a testament to the power of investing in people. With AfrEA’s support, the event has laid a stronger foundation for a more inclusive and capable evaluation community in East Africa.