Twenty-six young researchers from Francophone Africa enhanced their expertise in research, data analysis, and scientific writing during the Afrobarometer summer school and thematic workshop held from 3–21 November 2025 in Cotonou, Benin.
Hands-On Training and Skills Enhancement
The thematic workshop complemented the summer school by providing an intensive platform for participants to develop their quantitative research skills. Attendees learned advanced statistical methods, including multiple linear and logistic regression models, and applied them to Afrobarometer survey themes. The sessions also fostered collaborative research and networking opportunities, laying the foundation for future professional development and joint projects.
Summer School: Building Capacity Across Africa
Held annually in various regions, the Afrobarometer summer school offers courses in research design, survey methodology, and data analysis. The 2025 edition emphasized using public opinion data to address pressing topics such as democracy and governance, climate change, gender, migration, trade, and access to healthcare.
Toavina Rafidimanana, data manager at COEF-Ressources in Madagascar, said the training “broadened my knowledge of research methodology and refined my ability to interpret survey results for evidence-based decision making. It’s a key step in my journey as a young researcher committed to development-focused data analysis.”
Empowering Future Leaders in Research
Participants highlighted the transformative nature of the program. Eteke Ngoungou Yolande, a doctoral candidate at the University of Yaoundé II, noted, “This workshop is pivotal for my growth as a young researcher in governance, public policy, and development. I plan to raise awareness of Afrobarometer within scientific circles and encourage peers to integrate its data into teaching and research.”
Similarly, Farmata Diarra, a specialist in social and solidarity economy, praised the program for enhancing young researchers’ capacity to process and analyze data effectively.
Advancing Evidence-Based Policy
Afrobarometer’s training programs form part of a broader initiative to nurture a new generation of African researchers capable of producing high-quality data and strengthening evidence-based policymaking across the continent.
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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer. Read the full artical here.
