Policy Studies Institute

Policy Studies Institute is the public policy think tank in Ethiopia, which is mandated to undertake rigorous research, initiate or generate policy ideas, and prepare policy and strategy documents. It was established in 2018 by the government of Ethiopia under Council of Ministers Regulation No. 436/2018. The Institute was formed by merging the two public policy think tanks, the former Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI) and the Policy Study and Research Centre (PSRC), which were established in 1999 and 2014, respectively. Since its establishment, the Institute has been conducting in-depth socioeconomic policy research and analysis to provide the government with evidence-based policy advice on a broad range of topics. It also works on capacity building, advisory services, and knowledge dissemination and sharing. It is a leading think tank in Ethiopia. After the merger, PSI has taken several reforms to be fit-for-purpose: invested in the physical and human development of the institute to ensure its competence, its impact on the development of the country, and to respond to internal and external challenges and opportunities. 

PSI has a mandate to provide the Ethiopian government with evidence-based policy research on a wide range of issues. It sets its research priorities in close consultation with the country’s development needs. It also provides consulting services to government and non-government organizations. With its research outputs, PSI targets public and private stakeholders through knowledge dissemination and exchange. It follows such governing principles as:

·         To the extent possible, research engagement is need-based and responsive;

·         It aims to undertake research by following a scientific mindset;

·         PSI carries out its activities in partnership with diverse national and international partners and stakeholders to ensure quality and relevance and to strengthen national capacity; and

·         PSI strives to work in close collaboration with stakeholders at national and regional levels in identifying research areas and policy issues and in disseminating research and study results.

PSI has two policy study and research clusters, namely, Economic Affairs Policy Study and Research Cluster and Social and Good Governance Policy Study and Research Cluster, which jointly comprise six Policy Study and Research Centers. These centers again encompass fourteen research departments.