International Centre for Evaluation and Development

14/09/2026

💡 Does a larger agent banking network always mean greater financial inclusion?

We're kicking off the new week with another blog from the Evidence and Gap Map on Retail Finance Distribution by ICED and ISSER UG's initiative—the Retail Financial Distribution Research Initiative (ReFinD).

In this thought piece, ICED's research team explores what makes agent banking networks sustainable and why recruiting more agents is not enough for dependable financial services. Across evidence from seven countries, the blog highlights the importance of factors that determine whether agents can remain viable and provide dependable financial services.

🔗 Read the full blog here: www.iced-eval.org/news/what-makes-agent-banking-networks-sustainable
🗺 Check out the Retail Finance Distribution EGM here: https://products.iced-eval.org/reFiDiI.html

10/09/2026

💡 How can we expand financial opportunities in the Global South while protecting consumers from fear, fraud, and loss?

Our most recent blog draws from the recently published Evidence and Gap Map on Retail Finance Distribution by ICED and ISSER UG's initiative—the Retail Financial Distribution Research Initiative (ReFinD). In this thought piece, the research team explores the importance of safety in the expanding mobile money systems of Africa and Asia.

As they conclude, financial opportunities are valuable not only when they provide access but also when that access can be achieved safely and confidently.

🔗 Read the full blog here: https://www.iced-eval.org/news/keeping-mobile-money-safe-lessons-from-kenya-indonesia-and-burkina-faso
🗺 Check out the Retail Finance Distribution EGM here: https://products.iced-eval.org/reFiDiI.html

09/09/2026

Two months on, the conversations from E2A 2026 are still worth revisiting.
Whether you joined us in person or missed the conference, now is a great time to rewatch and reconnect with the conversations that shaped E2A 2026.

As we look ahead to E2A 2027, one question remains: What must we do differently to move evidence into action?

🎥 Watch the E2A 2026 Participant Reflections, where we talk to this year's conference participants about their experiences and reflections on the evidence-to-action agenda. The first reflection features Rovaughna Richardson, founder and executive director of Esteem Resources Africa, who shares the interactions that inspired her and the impact that had on her development work: https://youtu.be/7R8dim_QROA

📄 Check out the E2A 2026 Conference Brief, which presents a concise look at the key discussions as well as insights and recommendations that emerged across the conference:https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65cbe077fc1d08b98934210b/6a9a7e80c2a59f1a668a628a_E2A%202026%20Conference%20Brief.pdf

David Sarfo Ameyaw | Partnership for African Social & Governance Research - PASGR | ISSER UG

03/09/2026

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Chris Maloney and Chris Chibwana from William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for a meet-and-greet and an engaging discussion on ICED’s work and what lies ahead.

The research team capitalized on the opportunity to share ICED's current projects, explore evidence and gap maps developed through the Foundation’s support, and exchange ideas on potential partnerships and approaches to strengthening evidence-informed policies and practices across Africa.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect, share, and explore how we can continue building stronger evidence ecosystems for development across the continent.

01/09/2026

Did you miss your chance to register for last year's ISSER short courses?

We're excited to share that ISSERUG has opened registration for their 2026 short courses led by experts, including ICED's president and CEO, David Sarfo Ameyaw.

🔗 Get more details and register at https://isser.ug.edu.gh/%09news/announcing-isser-short-courses-2026!

📢 Save the date | ISSER Short Courses 2026

The annual ISSER Short Courses are back, offering practical, expert-led training to help professionals strengthen their skills in research, data, leadership, and project management.

Whether you work in government, the private sector, an NGO, or academia, there’s a course designed to support your professional development.

📅 Save the dates.
📝 Registration now open

For details and to register, visit:
🔗 https://bit.ly/4qBVGYB

| University of Ghana, Legon International Centre for Evaluation and Development

24/08/2026

📢 We're excited to start the new week by announcing that we're growing our team (again)!

Are you passionate about using data and evidence to strengthen programmes, support learning, and improve development outcomes?

ICED is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented MEL Officer to support the design, implementation, and adaptation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes across our multi-country programmes and partnerships.

👤 Some highly desirable attributes:
✅ At least a bachelor's in M&E, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, or related; master's is an added advantage
✅ Working knowledge of MEL frameworks and Theory of Change
✅ Practical experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and tools (e.g., KoboCollect, ODK)
✅ Prior exposure to youth-centered or participatory MEL approaches
✅ Ability to work collaboratively with multi-partner consortium
✅ Working proficiency in French (added advantage)
✅ Willingness and ability to travel to project sites required

📍 Hiring location: Nairobi, Kenya or Accra, Ghana (must have working rights in country)
💼 Role type: Full-time
⌛ Deadline: Rolling basic, apply early

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. For more information about the role and how to apply, visit: https://www.iced-eval.org/careers/mel-officer

11/08/2026

📢 The ARN August webinar is tomorrow!

There's still time to register for this insightful webinar with Dr. Kabir, exploring “From Access to Usage: Understanding the Dormancy Trap in Government-Mandated Financial Inclusion Programmes in Nigeria.”

Why do millions of women gain access to formal bank accounts but never become active users? Join us as we unpack the behavioural, social, and psychological barriers behind this “dormancy trap” and explore what it means for policy and programme design.

🔗 Register now and join the conversation: bit.ly/ARNAug2026

03/08/2026

💡 What does it take to move from financial access to meaningful financial inclusion?

Join us for the August ALL-IN Research Network (ARN) webinar, where Dr. Mohammad Kabir Salihu will share practical lessons on using research to strengthen financial inclusion policies, improve programme design, and generate evidence that reflects people's lived experiences.

In this short preview, Dr. Kabir explains how his work bridges research, policy, and practice, and shares what participants can expect to gain from the webinar on 12 August.

Register today and discover what Dr. Kabir means when he says, “Access is not the same as usage, and usage is not the same as empowerment”:

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
🕛 12 p.m. GMT / 1 p.m. WAT / 3 p.m. EAT
🔗 bit.ly/ARNAug2026

30/07/2026

Building on recent engagements with the Parliament of Ghana, ICED was pleased to participate in an information-sharing session that brought together members of the Parliament of Ghana and representatives from Ghanaian research institutions, think tanks, and civil society organizations to discuss a new parliamentary initiative.

Representing ICED, two of our researchers—Miriam Oppong and Sheila Agyemang Oppong—joined discussions on how research institutions and CSOs can support the initiative through evidence generation, data collection, and citizen engagement to help inform parliamentary decision-making.

The session featured welcome remarks from Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, and Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk of Parliament, followed by panel discussions highlighting the important role of collaboration between government, researchers, and civil society in strengthening evidence-informed governance.

💡 Read more on the session from Parliament's perspective: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19V7TQEAiq/
🔗 Media article: https://3news.com/news/speaker-calls-for?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

28/07/2026

In keeping with our commitment to strengthening partnerships and promoting evidence-informed impact, ICED was pleased to participate in the Evidence-in-Health Conference held this past weekend in Kumasi. The conference was hosted by EAM Consult in partnership with the UNCOVER Applied Evidence Synthesis Programme and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Representing ICED, Dr. Sheila Agyemang Oppong delivered a fraternal message on behalf of the president & CEO, Dr. David Sarfo Ameyaw, highlighting ICED’s shared commitment to strengthening evidence synthesis and promoting the use of evidence to inform health policy and practice in Ghana.

Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, the conference explored advances in evidence synthesis, including systematic reviews, artificial intelligence, and capacity strengthening for evidence-informed decision-making.

We congratulate the organizers and EAM Consult CEO Eldad Agyei-Manu, on a successful event and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing the use of evidence for impact.