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Why Local Expertise Matters for Africa's Development

14
August 2026
By Helmut Sorge & Arup Banerji

In this Episode, Arup Banerji discusses why local expertise—not just international advice—should be intentionally embedded in African development policy. He cites cash transfer programs as an example: the core design came from abroad, but successful adaptation (like dropping conditionalities) relied on local research and context. He also introduces NIA, a new World Bank partnership with African think tanks to turn local research into real policy influence.

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