The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa

What The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa does

The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) is a regional membership-based, donor-supported research and capacity-building nonprofit founded in April 1980 and headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where its 25-person Secretariat is hosted by Addis Ababa University. The organisation operates across 23 countries through national chapters and 19 university MOUs, serving social science scholars, policymakers, academic institutions, and bilateral/multilateral development agencies in Eastern and Southern Africa.

OSSREA's core offerings comprise scholarly publications and training programmes. Publication products include the bi-annual EASSRR Journal (since January 1985), the triennial OSSREA Bulletin (since September 1982), the Social Science Research Review series (38 editions), the Gender Issues Research Review series (23 issues), monographs, books, policy briefs, proceedings, and project-specific publications. Capacity-development services include the Research Methodology Training Programme (priced at $1,500-$2,000 per participant), the RESSESA PhD-fast-tracking programme involving nine universities, and Gender Mainstreaming Training (since 2005).

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring bilateral donor grants (SIDA, NORAD, DANIDA, Netherlands MFA, IDRC, DFID, GIZ, AECID, Woord en Daad), commissioned research and consultancy for clients such as the African Union, ACBF, COMESA, and IGAD, and one-time publication sales via African Books Collective, Michigan State University Press, and Ethiopian booksellers. Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored on 2-4 annual regional conferences, national workshops through chapters, and discipline-focused workshops, with outreach supported by a website, social media, a triennial bulletin, and liaison officers at universities.

Name

The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa

Legal name

The Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa

Website

https://ossrea.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OSSREA is a regional membership-based, donor-supported nonprofit founded in 1980 and headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that conducts social science research, publishes scholarly journals and reports, and delivers training programmes across 23 Eastern and Southern African countries via national chapters and 19 university MOUs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Science Research and Capacity-Building Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Sciences Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK), Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing (EDAGAFAL), Research Monographs & University Press Publishing (MPAJABAJ), Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK)

Keywords

• Social science research
• Capacity building training
• Scholarly publishing services
• Policy research consulting
• Gender mainstreaming research

Headquarters

HQ city

Addis Ababa

HQ country

Ethiopia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donor/Funder Grants: OSSREA receives financial support from bilateral aid agencies to fund its research, capacity-building programs, and operations. Major funders include SIDA, NORAD, DANIDA, The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IDRC, and DFID.
2. Publications Sales: OSSREA generates revenue from sales of its publications through distribution agents including African Books Collective (worldwide outside North America), Michigan State University Press (North America), and Book World, Book Center, Universal Stationary and Bookshop, and IMAGE International PLC in Ethiopia. Members and institutional subscribers access the EASSRR journal, monographs, research reports, and training manuals.
3. Consultancy Services: OSSREA conducts commissioned research activities and consultancies for clients such as the African Union, African Capacity Building Foundation, and COMESA, generating revenue through technical advisory and research services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OSSREA conducts and disseminates social science research on Eastern and Southern Africa, publishes scholarly journals, books, monographs, research reports and policy briefs, and delivers research methodology and gender mainstreaming training through 23 national chapters. It also undertakes commissioned policy research and consultancy assignments for intergovernmental bodies such as the African Union, COMESA, and IGAD.

Product overview

OSSREA operates as a regional membership-based research and capacity-building organization that offers a portfolio of scholarly publications and training services. Its core offerings include the bi-annual EASSRR Journal, the triennial OSSREA Bulletin, the Social Science Research Review series, and the Gender Issues Research Review series. The organization publishes books, monographs, policy briefs, and proceedings through both independent and collaborative publishing arrangements. OSSREA provides capacity development services through its Research Methodology Training Programme, the RESSESA (Research School for Social Sciences in Eastern and Southern Africa) Programme, and Gender Mainstreaming Training. The organization also maintains research project publications from thematic areas including Dryland Husbandry, Poverty Reduction Strategies, HIV/AIDS, African Conflicts, and Cross Border Trade. The overall portfolio is structured around research dissemination, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in the social sciences across Eastern and Southern Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EASSRR Journal: The Eastern and Southern Africa Social Science Research Review - a bi-annual journal serving as a forum for scholarly discourse on social, economic, political and environmental aspects of Eastern and Southern Africa, first published in January 1985.
• Social Science Research Review
• Gender Issues Research Review
• OSSREA Bulletin

Products and services

• EASSRR Journal (Eastern and Southern Africa Social Science Research Review)
• OSSREA Bulletin
• Social Science Research Review

Quantifiable outcome

• 38 editions of the Social Science Research Report Series and 23 issues of the Gender Issues Research Report Series published
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Unity UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2017OSSREA and Unity University (one of 24 companies of MIDROC Technology Group) signed an MOU to collaborate on academic and research programmes of mutual interests and benefits.
• IPE Global LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2016OSSREA and IPE Global Limited Ethiopia Office signed an MOU to collaborate on joining efforts in bidding for research and development programmes, capacity building, knowledge sharing and dissemination, implementing projects of mutual interest, and business development. The MOU was effective from December 8, 2016 through December 8, 2021.
• Practical Action Consulting (PAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014OSSREA signed a contract agreement with Practical Action Consulting (PAC) to implement the ELLA II Project (Evidence and Lessons from Latin America), a four-year comparative research project (September 2014 to January 31, 2017) on accountability of Executive Bodies to legislative Authorities in Africa and Latin America.
• Addis Ababa UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA's headquarters is hosted by Addis Ababa University Main Campus at Sidist Kilo. The university provides office space and institutional hosting for OSSREA's secretariat, enabling the organization's regional operations.
• Africa PortalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA is a content partner of the Africa Portal, a collaborative project between CIGI and SAIIA that provides open access to over 5,000 digital documents including OSSREA's research reports, occasional papers, and policy briefs.
• Life and Peace Institute (LPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA is a member of a Quartet with LPI, CEWARN, and IAG to carry out a project enhancing the role of civil society and academia in policy making at IGAD. The initiative focuses on Cross Border Security Governance using Informal Cross Border Trade as a lens. LPI initiated the pilot project in 2014.
• Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEWARN is part of the Quartet partnership with OSSREA, LPI, and IAG for the Cross Border Security Governance project under IGAD.
• Inter Africa Group (IAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAG is part of the Quartet partnership with OSSREA, LPI, and CEWARN for the Cross Border Security Governance project under IGAD.
• Centre for the Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth (CIPPEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIPPEC is the Latin American partner in the ELLA II Project, a research think tank based in Argentina working with OSSREA on comparative research between Africa and Latin America.
• CIRCLE Programme (Climate Impacts Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA is selected as a host institution for the CIRCLE programme, a 5-year initiative providing one-year fellowships for research on climate change impacts in Africa, supporting 40 post-MSc and 60 post-doctoral researchers.
• Dr. Truphena E. MukunacoreOthersDr. Truphena E. Mukuna is the Executive Director of OSSREA, leading the organization's overall strategy, research programs, and capacity building initiatives.
• Prof. Sunday Angoma OkellocoreOthersProf. Sunday Angoma Okello is the Principal Investigator for OSSREA's P/CVE project and conflict analyst for IGAD CEWARN, with extensive experience in peace, security, and development.
• Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute (EEFRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEEFRI is the lead research institute in the Women, Coffee and Climate project, conducting research on ecosystem services, non-timber potential, and landscape management in the Yayu forest area.
• Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR/JARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIAR/JARC works on integrated coffee research and watershed management as part of the Women, Coffee and Climate project, coordinating research from the Jimma Agricultural Research Center.
• Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECTA collaborates on the Women, Coffee and Climate project, contributing to policy and market development for Ethiopian coffee in the value chain.
• Ethiopian Women's in Coffee Alliance (EWiCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEWiCA works with OSSREA on the Women, Coffee and Climate project, providing a forum to bring women together across the coffee value chain for quality improvement and networking.
• TECNICAFE (Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTECNICAFE is a Colombian Technology Park for social innovation in sustainable coffee farming, serving as the knowledge management platform and Latin American partner in the Women, Coffee and Climate project.
• CONACAFE (Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONACAFE contributes to sustainable development of the coffee industry in Honduras through capacity building and institutional coordination as a partner in the Women, Coffee and Climate project.
• Hiwot Integrated Development Organization (HIDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIDO collaborates with OSSREA on the Combating Modern Slavery project, working to address exploitative child labor in Ethiopia alongside Woord en Daad, HFJ, JFA, and DOT.
• Hope for Justice (HFJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope for Justice partners with OSSREA on the Combating Modern Slavery project, contributing to efforts to prevent and address exploitative child labor and trafficking in Ethiopia.
• Justice for All (JFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustice for All partners with OSSREA on the Combating Modern Slavery project, contributing to legal frameworks and child protection efforts in Ethiopia.
• Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Opportunity Trust collaborates with OSSREA on the Combating Modern Slavery project, providing digital platforms and training for youth empowerment and protection.
• PeaceNet-KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeaceNet-Kenya collaborates with OSSREA and IGAD CEWARN on the Youth-Inclusive Mechanisms for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism project, working on co-production of knowledge with community-based participatory approaches.
• African UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA has established institutional relationships with the African Union, collaborating on policy research and evaluations such as the mid-term evaluation of the Second Decade of Education for Africa.
• African Development BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA has established institutional relationships with the African Development Bank as part of its network of regional organizations.
• African Capacity Building FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA has collaborative partnerships with the African Capacity Building Foundation for capacity building and research initiatives in the region.
• Regional Economic CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSSREA has established collaborative relationships with several regional economic communities as part of its broader regional engagement strategy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nordic Africa Institute: Sweden-based research institute on contemporary Africa funded by Nordic governments. Comparable as a research and policy-knowledge organization with similar donor architecture (SIDA-linked) and publishing output on African social science topics.
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC): Canadian Crown corporation funding development research globally, including OSSREA programs. Functions as both a funder and a peer in commissioning and disseminating social science research in the Global South.
• European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM): Africa-focused think tank based in Maastricht producing policy research on EU-Africa relations, governance, and economic transformation. Comparable as a donor-supported policy research organization with strong institutional relationships with African and European bodies.
• International Social Science Council (ISSC): Global umbrella organization for the social sciences, convening national and regional member associations. Comparable as a membership-based scholarly society that supports the social science research community.

Direct peers

• Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA): Pan-African social science research council headquartered in Dakar. CODESRIA is the most direct peer to OSSREA — both operate as membership-based, donor-supported social science research networks covering the African continent with scholarly journals, research grants, and training programs.
• African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP): UN-affiliated African institute offering training, research, and policy advisory in economic development planning. IDEP parallels OSSREA in providing capacity-building programs and commissioned research for African governments and regional bodies.
• African Economic Research Consortium (AERC): Pan-African research consortium coordinating economic policy research and PhD training across African universities. AERC parallels OSSREA's structure of chapter-style membership, donor-funded research programs, and capacity-building services in the social sciences.

Regional players

• Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS): Nigerian-based social science research center conducting applied research and policy analysis. Operates a similar model of donor-funded research, training, and policy advisory work in an African context.
• Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC): Regional research and documentation organization focused on Southern Africa, producing publications and policy briefs on socio-economic issues. Comparable to OSSREA as a regional knowledge producer with similar donor base and publication model.

Emerging players

• Africa Policy Research Institute: Pan-African think tank producing policy research on governance, development, and security. Comparable as a policy-advisory and research-dissemination organization targeting African policymakers, with a more digital-native publishing model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OSSREA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OSSREA
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/OSSREA-Publications/135188149866

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa