ICED

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.

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

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

• Monitoring and evaluation
• Development research
• Evidence synthesis
• Policy advisory services
• Capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Conference Sponsorships: Multi-tiered sponsorship packages offering visibility, exhibition booths, delegate packages, panel participation, and branded giveaways at the E2A conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AfrobarometercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Afrobarometer 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Co-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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026PASGR 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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 ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Konlambigue Mathieyedou from IITA participates as panelist, bringing expertise in tropical agriculture research and development impact.
• REC (Research and Evaluation Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Howard White, co-founder of REC, serves as moderator at E2A 2026. REC collaborates on evidence synthesis and evaluation methodology.
• University of NairobicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Phillip O. Nying'uro from University of Nairobi participates as discussant at E2A 2026. University serves as academic partner for research collaboration.
• ACRES/EBASEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization showcasing innovations at E2A 2026, collaborating on AI-powered evidence synthesis and evidence-based decision-making tools.
• Africa Evidence Network (AEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Implementation & Civil Society Lab, supporting evidence ecosystem development across Africa.
• Parliamentary Network AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Government & Parliamentary Lab, contributing to parliamentary strengthening and evidence use in legislation.
• ARUA (African Research Universities Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Rose Omari, Chief Research Scientist at CSIR-STEPRI, participates as panelist, bringing expertise in science, technology, and policy evaluation.
• PACKS AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKirchuffs Atengble, Executive Director of PACKS Africa, serves as conference moderator. PACKS Africa collaborates on evidence-to-policy initiatives.
• CI NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Evidence, Research & Policy Innovation Lab, contributing to knowledge brokering and evidence translation.
• Impact Investing GhanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Private Sector EBDM Lab, focusing on evidence-driven investment decisions and financial inclusion.
• Common SourceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Private Sector EBDM Lab, contributing to data and evidence infrastructure for business decisions.
• CGiarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational agricultural research partnership contributing to food systems research and evidence generation for development.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing research expertise, particularly in agriculture and development economics.
• Horticulture Innovation LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner focusing on horticulture and agricultural innovation for development impact.
• COSA (Committee on Sustainability Assessment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in sustainability evaluation and assessment methodologies.
• Global Development Network (GDN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development research network partner supporting knowledge generation and sharing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Xx.com/ICED_THINKTANK
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICED.EVAL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-centre-for-evaluation-and-development-iced-
• Instagraminstagram.com/iced_thinktank

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ICED