The Africa Urban Lab (AUL) and the Zanzibar Research Centre for Socio-Economic and Policy Analysis (ZRCP) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which AUL will work with ZRCP to promote the exchange of staff in programs for the mutual benefit of both institutions; collaboration in research and development, consultancy studies and policy analysis work; exchange of data, academic materials, and publications; and partnership in entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities for various stakeholders. These efforts are all in furtherance of their shared interest in the fields of education and research.
The Africa Urban Lab is dedicated to training the African city builders, planners, and urban leaders of tomorrow to harness rapid urbanization for human prosperity. ZRCP is a leading multidisciplinary independent think tank in Zanzibar focused on policy priorities to stimulate socioeconomic development.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Twahir Khalfan (Director of Research and Policy Engagement) on behalf of ZRCP, and by AUL’s Founder and Director, Mr. Kurtis Lockhart.
Specific goals of the MOU include:
Government policy-related research: ZRCP and AUL may work collaboratively in policy analysis and research in areas including economic transformation, good governance, and other topics that are a priority to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and/or that promote the prosperity of the Zanzibari people.
Stakeholder convening: ZRCP and AUL will collaborate on convening relevant stakeholders to policy roundtables, workshops, and other events for the discussion of topics important to Zanzibar’s economic development and to facilitate cross-government coordination and mobilizing the public and private actors to achieve policy goals and priorities.
Roadmap: ZRCP and AUL will periodically collaborate to create roadmaps for Zanzibar’s economic transformation and related activities. These roadmaps aid in prioritizing and sequencing necessary for effective policy implementation.
Said Mr. Lockhart, “This MOU symbolizes our shared commitment to advancing the prosperity of Tanzania. On behalf of AUL, the Charter Cities Institute, and the African School of Economics, I express my sincere gratitude to the Zanzibar Research Centre for Socio-Economic and Policy Analysis for this exciting partnership and commitment.”
About the Africa Urban Lab at the African School of Economics:
The Africa Urban Lab at the African School of Economics aims to train the African city builders, planners, and urban leaders of tomorrow to harness rapid urbanization for human prosperity. The AUL will support cutting-edge research on urban issues, provide world-class education in urban studies, and promote applied knowledge through practical learning experiences in real-world settings.
https://www.asezanzibar.com/africa-urban-lab
About the Africa School of Economics (ASE):
Since its inception in 2014, ASE has grown into a Pan-African institute of higher learning, renowned for quality research and education, aiming to produce the next generation of scholars, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in Africa.
https://www.africanschoolofeconomics.com/
About Zanzibar Research Centre for Socio-Economic and Policy Analysis
Created to be a leading multidisciplinary independent Think Tank in Zanzibar addressing policy priorities to stimulate socioeconomic development, ZRCP works on Tanzania’s economic growth & digital economy; financial sector reforms & private financing; expansion of inclusive social protection; and good governance, with a mission of facilitating inclusive economic growth and prosperous future in Zanzibar.
For more information about this collaboration, the AUL, or other inquiries, please contact Heba Elhanafy.
