Center for Studies, Research and Training for Economic and Social Development

What Center for Studies, Research and Training for Economic and Social Development does

CERFODES (Centre d'Etudes, de Recherches et de Formation pour le Développement Economique et Social) is a privately held research, training, and monitoring and evaluation consultancy founded in October 2005 and headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The firm operates five integrated service lines: multi-disciplinary Research services spanning agriculture, education, health, child protection, violent extremism, and gender; participatory Training services including certifying sessions and skill-development courses; proprietary Databases accumulated over 19 years across education, health, child labor, gender-based violence, and food security; Advisory and Coaching for organizational and technical capacity strengthening; and Logistics support including field vehicles, a 45-person conference facility, and electronic data collection infrastructure using SurveyCTO and ODK-Collect platforms.

Commercially, CERFODES operates as a professional services firm whose revenue is generated through project-based contracted engagements with international development donors (World Bank, African Development Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, UNFPA, USAID, GIZ), international and local NGOs (Solidar Suisse, Save the Children, PCI Media, EDUCO, AFLATOUN International), national government institutions, and selectively private-sector clients (Nestlé Burkina, SGBF). Pricing for ad-hoc training cohorts ranges from 175,000 to 375,000 F CFA per participant depending on format and participant origin, plus a non-refundable 25,000 F CFA registration fee. Distribution is direct via competitive bidding, consortium partnerships, and donor referrals; the organization does not appear to engage in outbound marketing or operate through resellers. Geographic footprint spans more than 20 African countries across West, East, Southern, and Central Africa, with execution anchored by a multidisciplinary in-house team supplemented as needed.

The organization is founder-led under Director General Dr. Yacouba Yaro, with no disclosed parent company, external investors, or venture or private equity backing. The headcount is in the 11–50 employee range, and growth has been organic and reputation-driven over nearly two decades rather than capital-scaled. Operating risk is anchored in the security and donor-funding environment of the Sahel, which both creates sustained evaluation demand and exposes the firm to budget volatility from major bilateral donors.

Name

Center for Studies, Research and Training for Economic and Social Development

Legal name

Centre d'Etudes, de Recherches et de Formation pour le Développement Economique et Social (CERFODES)

Website

https://cerfodes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CERFODES is a privately held Ouagadougou-based research, training, and monitoring and evaluation consultancy founded in 2005, delivering baseline studies, impact evaluations, capacity-building, and advisory services to international development donors, NGOs, and government institutions across more than 20 African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Development Research & Evaluation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

DEI, Equity & Inclusion Training (EDABAIAF), Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Development research consulting
• Baseline impact evaluations
• Capacity building training
• Monitoring evaluation services
• Social development studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Ouagadougou

HQ country

Burkina Faso

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Evaluation Services: CERFODES generates revenue through commissioned research studies, baseline studies, mid-term and final evaluations, and operational research for international development projects. Projects are typically funded by international donors and implemented through partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and development organizations.
2. Training and Capacity Building: Revenue generated from organizing and delivering professional training programs including international certifying sessions, specialized workshops, and skills development courses. Training fees range from 75,000 to 375,000 F CFA depending on format and participant origin.
3. Advisory and Coaching Services: Organizational and technical capacity strengthening services provided to associations, local and international NGOs, regional and international institutions, and strategic research consulting engagements.
4. Logistics and Field Support: Equipment rental and logistics services including vehicles for field data collection and mission supervision. The center has multiple all-terrain vehicles and a conference facility accommodating 45 persons available for coordination support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CERFODES is a development research and training consultancy that designs and conducts multi-disciplinary research studies (baseline, mid-term, and final evaluations) and delivers participatory professional training programs for institutions, NGOs, and government agencies. It also maintains proprietary quantitative and qualitative databases on education, health, child protection, gender, and social cohesion in Burkina Faso and the Sahel, and provides advisory/coaching plus field logistics to support donor-funded projects.

Product overview

CERFODES is a unified service organization offering five integrated service lines: Research Services (multi-disciplinary studies), Training Services (participatory professional development), Databases (quantitative/qualitative data repositories), Advisory and Coaching (organizational capacity support), and Logistics (equipment and infrastructure for data collection and training). The center's offerings are interconnected, enabling end-to-end project support from research design through data collection, analysis, and capacity building. Founded in October 2005 and headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, CERFODES provides technical support to national and international institutions, bilateral and multilateral organizations, professional associations, and NGOs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recherches (Research Services) Multi-disciplinary research services covering agriculture, education, adolescent reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, environment, local/regional development, child protection, violent extremism, peace and social cohesion, and early marriage. Delivered to international organizations, governments, and NGOs as commissioned studies, baseline studies, mid-term and final evaluations.
• Formations (Training Services) Participatory training services covering action research in health and education, results-based management, research protocol design, quantitative data processing (SPSS, STATA, EPI INFO), tablet-based data collection (SurveyCTO, ODK-Collect), project M&E, and professional development training. Delivered in-person and online to individuals and organizations with per-participant fees.
• Bases de données (Databases) Quantitative and qualitative database covering education (primary, secondary, higher), health (maternal/child health, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS), child labor, socio-economic status of women and girls, gender-based violence, food security, peace and social cohesion, and early marriage in Burkina Faso. Used as the data backbone for commissioned research and evaluations.
• Appui conseil et coaching (Advisory and Coaching) Organizational and technical capacity strengthening services for local and international NGOs, regional and international institutions, including strategic and operational research support and human resource management guidance.
• Logistique (Logistics) Field logistics support including a headquarters with 45-person conference facility, multiple all-terrain vehicles for field data collection and mission supervision, and staff equipped with laptops. Supports research, evaluation, and training project delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 19 years of continuous operation and client retention with major international organizations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• USAID NCBA/CLUSAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 May 2021Contracted by USAID NCBA/CLUSA to conduct final external evaluation of REGIS-ER project (Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel - Enhanced Resilience) implemented across Burkina Faso and Niger over seven years.
• Solidar SuissecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021CERFODES conducted baseline study for PROMESSE-FP project (Promotion of girls' access to quality education and vocational training) implemented by consortium led by Solidar Suisse in Sahel, Nord, Centre-Nord and Est regions of Burkina Faso.
• EDUCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Part of consortium led by Solidar Suisse for PROMESSE-FP project addressing girls' education and vocational training in security-challenged regions of Burkina Faso.
• AFLATOUN InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Part of consortium led by Solidar Suisse for PROMESSE-FP project. AFLATOUN provides social and financial education curriculum integrated into the project's vocational training components.
• USAID NCBA/CLUSAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Primary donor and contracting organization for REGIS-ER project evaluation. Implemented project across Burkina Faso and Niger focusing on resilience and economic growth in Sahel region.
• GIZcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Partner with Solidar Suisse in funding and implementing project to promote abandonment of child labor in cotton fields. CERFODES conducted baseline and income monitoring studies.
• Solidar SuissecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-term partner commissioning studies on child labor issues. Co-funded and co-implemented promotion of abandonment of child labor in cotton fields project with GIZ. CERFODES provided baseline study and income monitoring services.
• Save the ChildrenmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned CERFODES to conduct pre-evaluation of parental behaviors and practices for PEPSE project on child poverty and vulnerability in Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Nord and Nord regions.
• Save the Children InternationalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted CERFODES for baseline study on child marriage (CEFM) in Cascades and Hauts Bassins regions under GAC/MPFE project.
• PNUD (UNDP Burkina Faso)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPNUD commissioned cartography of innovative local solutions addressing governance, environment and resilience challenges. CERFODES conducted interviews and produced report for multiple regions.
• PNUD (UNDP Burkina Faso)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for innovative local solutions video series including Le Kenaf documentary. CERFODES served as executive producer for PNUD Acceleration Laboratories.
• PNUD (UNDP Burkina Faso)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive producer for PNUD series on innovative local solutions including promotion of social cohesion through integrated agriculture and Kiizi environmental preservation.
• PCI MediamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned by PCI Media to pre-test advocacy and communication tools for exclusive breastfeeding campaign. Conducted qualitative data collection, translation into Mooré, and report writing.
• PCI MediamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorking with UNICEF and Alive and Thrive on 'Plus fort avec le lait maternel uniquement' breastfeeding campaign. CERFODES mandated to pre-test advocacy and communication tools.
• UNICEF Burkina FasomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in exclusive breastfeeding promotion campaign alongside PCI Media and Alive and Thrive. Provided technical support and commissioned pre-testing of communication materials.
• CRESPOD (Democratic Republic of Congo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for organizing special certifying training session on HIV vulnerability reduction and gender-based sexual violence in Ouagadougou (2016).
• KPDC (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for organizing special certifying training session on HIV vulnerability reduction and gender-based sexual violence (2016).
• CAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with CERFODES for organizing comprehensive consulting training program. CAP co-branding suggests collaborative training delivery.
• Nestlé Burkina/MENAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned final impact evaluation of Nestlé Healthy Kids project. Conducted methodology design, tool elaboration, data collection, and analysis.
• NORC University of ChicagominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by NORC for final impact evaluation of Voix de Paix project on violent extremism and social cohesion in Sahel.
• SGBF (Société Générale Burkina Faso)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommissioned comprehensive study on housing financing in Burkina Faso. Research covered housing deficit, banking credit accessibility, and recommendations for SGBF market positioning.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• BUCREP (Bureau Central des Recensements et des Études de Population): Cameroon's population census and demographic research office, conducting large-scale demographic studies comparable to CERFODES' database-building work across Francophone Central/West Africa.
• AFRISTAT: Regional statistical observatory covering WAEMU member states, harmonizing statistical methods and conducting regional surveys in West Africa - comparable thematic focus and geographic scope to CERFODES' multi-country research portfolio.
• ANSD (Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie): Senegalese national statistical agency performing demographic surveys, censuses, and household studies across similar thematic areas (health, education, gender) where CERFODES operates, with public-sector rather than consulting mandate.
• INSD (Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie du Burkina Faso): Burkina Faso's national statistics office conducting census work, household surveys, and sectoral studies overlapping with CERFODES' database and research domains, though positioned as a government agency rather than private consultancy.
• LARES (Laboratoire d'Analyse et de Recherche en Économie et Sociologie): Benin-based socio-economic research lab conducting household surveys, poverty studies, and policy evaluations in Francophone West Africa - comparable in scale and methodology to CERFODES' multi-disciplinary research practice.

Direct peers

• NORC at the University of Chicago: NORC contracted CERFODES as a local partner on the Voix de Paix impact evaluation, indicating overlapping practices in development M&E and impact evaluation methodologies across the Sahel. Both conduct baseline studies, final evaluations, and commissioned research for bilateral/multilateral donors.

Broad incumbents

• ICF International: Large international research and evaluation firm (formerly Macro International) widely subcontracted by USAID and other donors for Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and impact evaluations across Africa, directly competing with CERFODES for institutional contracts.
• Mathematica Policy Research: U.S.-based policy research and evaluation firm conducting impact evaluations and randomized controlled trials for major donors in health, education, and social protection, competing on the same international M&E tender opportunities.
• Abt Associates: Global consulting and research firm with a substantial international development practice running USAID and World Bank evaluations across Africa - directly competing for the same evaluation contract pool as CERFODES.
• Palladium: International development consultancy delivering M&E, advisory, and implementation services globally, including in West African Sahel where CERFODES operates; competes on similar USAID, FCDO, and multilateral evaluation contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cerfodes
• Xx.com/cerfodes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cerfodes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Studies, Research and Training for Economic and Social Development