Six research fellows have completed their exchange programme with the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) on secondment from the Nairobi-based African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).
The fellows – Dr Martin Oletche, Dr. Moses Muriithi, Ms. Rosemary Murebu, and Mr. John Murimi from Kenya; Mr. Issa Nana from Burkina Faso; and Dr. Tom Orji from Nigeria – completed three months attachment to the EPRC where, together with the Centre’s researchers, worked on different projects and facilitated knowledge sharing. The exchanged was supported by AERC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr. Oletche, who is also the head of Economics and Development Studies Department at the University of Nairobi, described the exchange experience as “fantastic” and that “it was an opportunity to meet different researchers from different countries.”
“EPRC gave me one of the best receptions and it’s a very good environment to carryout research,” he said.

Some AERC fellows take a picture with EPRC ED Dr Sarah Ssewanyana
The fellows started reaching the Centre in April 2023, completing their attachments at different intervals. The early arrivals participated in the EPRC 2023 staff retreat that took place on May 4 – May 6, 2023, where they shared experiences from their respective countries and organisations.
Mr. Issa Nana, a fellow from Burkina Faso, said the exchange was a learning experience given that he only spoke French in an environment that predominantly used English.
Ms. Murebu, the only female in this programme’s cohort, said “the exchange programme is something that should be encouraged in all research centers”. She said one of the benefits for the fellows was knowledge sharing with an opportunity to access the resources at EPRC, including the library, research materials among others.
EPRC Executive Director Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana appreciated the exchange programme and said the fellows’ contributions enriched EPRC’s work. She said their experience demonstrated that EPRC is not just a research center but also a learning hub.