ICED
ICED is an Africa-based, African-led non-profit think-tank that conducts monitoring and evaluation research and convenes the annual Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference, serving African governments, research institutions, NGOs, and major development funders across 24 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ICED does
ICED (International Centre for Evaluation and Development) is an independent, Africa-based and African-led non-profit think-tank headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with regional offices in Accra, Ghana and Laurel, Maryland (US). Founded in 2016, the organization applies innovative research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) methodology to the development sector, with a primary focus on Sub-Saharan Africa where it claims active projects in 24 African countries and a network of 20+ partner organizations.
The organization's core products are knowledge assets rather than software: Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs) that synthesize research across infrastructure/nutrition/gender, inclusive governance, women's economic empowerment, climate change adaptation, and retail finance distribution; a public Data Hub for research datasets; methodological Tools (questionnaires, instruments, training materials); policy Publications; and Systematic Reviews. Its flagship convening vehicle is the annual Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference, now in its 9th edition (Accra, June 22-26, 2026), co-organized with ISSER (University of Ghana) and PASGR and structured around five concurrent labs (Government & Parliamentary, Financing & Investment, Implementation & Civil Society, Evidence Research & Policy Innovation, Private Sector EBDM). A sub-brand, the ALL-IN Research Network (ARN), extends the platform into youth-led Pan-African research capacity building.
ICED's go-to-market is event- and partnership-driven. Conference sponsorship is one monetization stream (Platinum $20,000, Gold $10,000, Silver $5,000, Bronze $3,000, Supporting $2,000, Exhibitor $300 tiers), alongside capacity-strengthening programs delivered directly to governments and institutions. The principal funder base comprises major international foundations and bilateral agencies — William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, USAID and the African Development Bank — implying a grant-funded operating model rather than a commercial sales motion. Customer segments span African governments and policymakers, research institutions and academics, civil society organizations and NGOs, development funders and foundations, and private sector actors engaged in evidence-based decision-making.
ICED firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ICED
- Legal name
- International Centre for Evaluation and Development
- Website
- https://iced-eval.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ICED is an Africa-based, African-led non-profit think-tank that conducts monitoring and evaluation research and convenes the annual Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference, serving African governments, research institutions, NGOs, and major development funders across 24 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ICED industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Development Research and Evaluation Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safeguarding, Accountability & Compliance (ESG, Gender/GBV, Do No Harm) (BPADAEAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Equity, Inclusion & Civil Rights Reporting (Disparities, Access, Outcomes) (EDADAIAH)
Keywords
Where ICED is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
ICED business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Conference and Event Revenue: E2A Conference generates revenue through sponsorship packages (Platinum $20,000, Gold $10,000, Silver $5,000, Bronze $3,000, Supporting $2,000, Exhibitor $300) and delegate registration fees. Lunch is provided during the conference.
- Conference Sponsorships: Multi-tiered sponsorship packages offering visibility, exhibition booths, delegate packages, panel participation, and branded giveaways at the E2A conference.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | Platinum Sponsorship - Premium visibility and maximum delegate access |
| Other | One-time | Gold Sponsorship - High visibility with substantial delegate access |
| Other | One-time | Silver Sponsorship - Moderate visibility and delegate packages |
| Other | One-time | Bronze Sponsorship - Entry-level sponsorship with delegate access |
| Other | One-time | Supporting Sponsor - Basic recognition and delegate support |
| Other | One-time | Exhibitor Sponsor - Booth space at conference |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
ICED product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ICED is an Africa-based international not-for-profit think-tank that produces evidence-based research products and evaluation services for development outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its core offerings include Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs), an open-access Data Hub, methodological Tools and questionnaires, Publications and policy briefs, Systematic Review services, the annual Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference, and Capacity Strengthening programs in monitoring and evaluation. The organization targets African governments, researchers, civil society, development funders, and private sector actors seeking evidence-informed policy and programming.
Product overview
ICED operates as a research and evaluation think-tank rather than a software product company. Its core offerings consist of evidence-based knowledge products and services: Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs) that synthesize and visualize research across thematic areas; a Data Hub providing open access to research datasets; Tools including questionnaires, instruments and training materials; Publications including policy briefs and evaluation reports; the annual E2A (Evidence to Action) Conference; and Systematic Review services. These offerings form an integrated research ecosystem designed to strengthen evidence generation, synthesis, and use for development decision-making in Africa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- E2A Conference: The Evidence to Action Conference and Exhibition, a platform to explore innovative research and practices that empower underserved populations, focusing on Africa
- ALL-IN Research Network (ARN)
Products and services
- Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs)
Quantifiable outcome
- ICED has projects in 24 African countries and partnerships with 20+ organizations
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ICED
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ICED technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ICED partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AfrobarometercoreAfrobarometer CEO Dr. Joseph Asunka serves as a moderator at E2A 2026. Organization collaborates on evidence and governance research initiatives across Africa.
- ISSER (Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research)coreCo-organizing the E2A 2026 Conference with ISSER at the University of Ghana, Legon Campus. ISSER Director Prof. Robert Darko Osei serves as conference co-host. ISSER faculty actively participate in conference sessions and labs.
- PASGR (Partnership for African Social and Governance Research)corePASGR is a key co-organizing partner for E2A 2026. Executive Director Prof. Fadel Ndiame actively engaged in conference planning and participates in strategic meetings with ICED leadership regarding alignment for enhanced research and policy impact.
- Africa Parliamentary Network (APN)corePartner organization collaborating on the Government & Parliamentary Lab at E2A 2026, focusing on evidence use in public policy, legislation, budgeting, and institutionalization.
- ACEPA (African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs)corePartner in the Government & Parliamentary Lab. Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of ACEPA, participates as panelist at E2A 2026, bringing expertise in parliamentary and governance evaluation.
- Ghana Statistical ServicescoreGovernment Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu participates as panelist. Partner organization in the Government & Parliamentary Lab, showcasing innovations in statistical data for evidence-informed governance.
- IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)coreDr. Oliver K. Kirui from IFPRI participates as panelist at E2A 2026, contributing expertise in food policy and agricultural research for development.
- IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)coreDr. Konlambigue Mathieyedou from IITA participates as panelist, bringing expertise in tropical agriculture research and development impact.
- REC (Research and Evaluation Centre)coreProf. Howard White, co-founder of REC, serves as moderator at E2A 2026. REC collaborates on evidence synthesis and evaluation methodology.
- University of NairobicoreProf. Phillip O. Nying'uro from University of Nairobi participates as discussant at E2A 2026. University serves as academic partner for research collaboration.
- ACRES/EBASEcorePartner organization showcasing innovations at E2A 2026, collaborating on AI-powered evidence synthesis and evidence-based decision-making tools.
- Africa Evidence Network (AEN)corePartner in the Implementation & Civil Society Lab, supporting evidence ecosystem development across Africa.
- Parliamentary Network AfricacorePartner in Government & Parliamentary Lab, contributing to parliamentary strengthening and evidence use in legislation.
- ARUA (African Research Universities Alliance)coreProf. Jane Ambuko, Director of Research and Training at ARUA, participates as panelist at E2A 2026, strengthening research capacity collaboration.
- CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)coreDr. Rose Omari, Chief Research Scientist at CSIR-STEPRI, participates as panelist, bringing expertise in science, technology, and policy evaluation.
- PACKS AfricacoreKirchuffs Atengble, Executive Director of PACKS Africa, serves as conference moderator. PACKS Africa collaborates on evidence-to-policy initiatives.
- CI NetworkminorPartner in the Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab, contributing to knowledge brokering and evidence translation.
- Impact Investing GhanaminorPartner in the Private Sector EBDM Lab, focusing on evidence-driven investment decisions and financial inclusion.
- Common SourceminorPartner in Private Sector EBDM Lab, contributing to data and evidence infrastructure for business decisions.
- CGiarcoreInternational agricultural research partnership contributing to food systems research and evidence generation for development.
- UC DaviscoreAcademic partner contributing research expertise, particularly in agriculture and development economics.
- Horticulture Innovation LabcoreResearch partner focusing on horticulture and agricultural innovation for development impact.
- COSA (Committee on Sustainability Assessment)corePartner in sustainability evaluation and assessment methodologies.
- Global Development Network (GDN)coreInternational development research network partner supporting knowledge generation and sharing.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ICED competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Afrobarometer: Pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys and produces evidence on governance, democracy, and development across Africa. Directly comparable to ICED as a fellow Africa-led evidence generator and listed ICED partner; its CEO Dr. Joseph Asunka moderates E2A 2026.
- International Growth Centre (IGC): Led by LSE and Oxford, IGC provides evidence-based advice on growth and development in developing countries, with a strong Africa footprint. Comparable as an evidence-to-policy intermediary serving African governments and donors, with overlapping funder base (DFID/FCDO, Gates).
- Africa Evidence Network (AEN): Africa-wide network promoting the generation and use of evidence for decision-making, with a dedicated Implementation & Civil Society Lab partner role at E2A 2026. Highly comparable mission and audience to ICED, and listed as a core strategic partner.
- CLEAR-AA (Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results – Anglophone Africa): Regional M&E capacity-building hub hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand that strengthens evaluation practice across Anglophone Africa. Closely comparable to ICED's capacity-strengthening and M&E methodology work; both target African governments, evaluators, and researchers.
- Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR): Pan-African research institution focused on social science and governance research, evidence uptake, and policy engagement. Co-organizes E2A 2026 with ICED and shares the African evidence-to-policy mission and target audience of researchers, policymakers, and civil society.
Broad incumbents
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): Global CGIAR research institute producing food policy research and evidence for developing countries, with significant Africa programming. Comparable as a research and evidence intermediary serving African policymakers; listed as an ICED partner (Dr. Oliver Kirui participates in E2A 2026).
- Overseas Development Institute (ODI): Global think-tank on international development and humanitarian policy producing research, advisory, and convening across sectors. Comparable in mission and offerings (research, policy advisory, convening) but is a larger, UK-based incumbent that does not specialize in Africa-led M&E the way ICED does.
- Brookings Africa Growth Initiative: Brookings Institution's Africa-focused research program producing policy analysis and convenings on African development. Comparable in offering research and convening on Africa but operates as a broader global think-tank initiative rather than an Africa-led M&E specialist.
Emerging players
- Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI): Africa-led policy research institute producing research and commentary on African political economy, governance, and development. Comparable to ICED's policy-research and Africa-led positioning, with overlap on target audiences (policymakers, researchers, donors).
Regional players
- Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (Wits SCIS): University of the Witwatersrand-based research centre focused on inequality and social policy in Southern Africa. Comparable as an Africa-based academic research and policy-impact institution with similar evidence-to-policy mission in a narrower Southern African geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ICED social profiles
Digital presenceICED financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ICED leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ICED funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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ICED M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ICED
What does ICED do?
ICED is an Africa-based international not-for-profit think-tank that produces evidence-based research products and evaluation services for development outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its core offerings include Evidence and Gap Maps (EGMs), an open-access Data Hub, methodological Tools and questionnaires, Publications and policy briefs, Systematic Review services, the annual Evidence to Action (E2A) Conference, and Capacity Strengthening programs in monitoring and evaluation. The organization targets African governments, researchers, civil society, development funders, and private sector actors seeking evidence-informed policy and programming.
Is ICED a public or private company?
ICED is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ICED founded?
ICED was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ICED based?
ICED is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does ICED make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Conference and Event Revenue is the primary driver. The others are conference Sponsorships.
Who are ICED's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Afrobarometer, International Growth Centre (IGC), Africa Evidence Network (AEN), CLEAR-AA (Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results – Anglophone Africa) and Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR). Broad incumbents are International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Brookings Africa Growth Initiative. Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) is listed as an emerging player. Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (Wits SCIS) is listed as a regional player.
Does ICED have an API?
No public API is recorded for ICED.
What industry is ICED in?
ICED's product category is Development Research and Evaluation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAM, Safeguarding, Accountability & Compliance (ESG, Gender/GBV, Do No Harm), with a secondary code of EDADAIAH, Equity, Inclusion & Civil Rights Reporting (Disparities, Access, Outcomes). Its NAICS code is 541720.