APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute

What APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute does

APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute gGmbH is an independent, non-partisan nonprofit think tank founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin, with a regional office in Abuja. It produces African-centered policy research for government officials, researchers, civil society organizations, media, and businesses in Africa and Europe, with particular emphasis on African, German, and EU policy processes.

Its research portfolio includes reports, policy papers, policy briefs, short analyses, commentaries, briefing notes, factsheets, expert interviews, The Africa Hour Podcast, and data visualizations. Its current interactive tools map critical-mineral partnerships, climate-finance cooperation, and Africa+1 summits. The disclosed technology layer is primarily digital publishing, multimedia, and interactive data visualization; no application, API, software development kit, or proprietary AI capability is reported.

APRI distributes its work without charge through its website, events, podcast, newsletter, earned media, and institutional partner networks. Its operating model is grant-funded rather than commercial: support comes from governments, foundations, and development organizations including BMZ, Stiftung Mercator, Mastercard Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and GIZ.

Name

APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute

Legal name

APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute gGmbH

Website

https://afripoli.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), National Security and International Affairs (928)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPADAEAB)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Think tank
• African policy analysis
• Policy publications
• Geopolitics research

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding and Grants: APRI is funded through partnerships with foundations, governments, and development organizations including BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), Open Society Foundations, Bosch Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator, Mastercard Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, GIZ, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

APRI is an independent, non-partisan African think tank that produces evidence-based policy research and analysis on African affairs to inform German and EU policymaking on Africa. It publishes reports, policy papers, policy briefs, commentaries, expert interviews, data visualisations, and a podcast, organized across seven thematic programmes covering climate transitions, green technology, geopolitics, and economy and society.

Product overview

APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute is a policy research and think tank organization offering a portfolio of knowledge products focused on African policy analysis. The core offerings consist of published analysis products including Reports, Policy Papers, Policy Briefs, Short Analyses, Commentaries, Briefing Notes, Expert Interviews, and Podcasts. The institute also produces Data Visualisations including interactive tools such as the Africa+1 Summit Map, Climate Finance Mapping database, and Critical Minerals Partnership Mapping tool. The Africa Hour Podcast delivers policy insights through expert discussions on specific country-focused topics. The portfolio is organized under seven thematic programmes: Just Green Technology Transition, Climate Transitions, Geopolitics & Geoeconomics, Economy & Society, Executive Office, Africa's Climate Agenda, and Africa's Digital Agenda.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reports Comprehensive analyses of research findings providing in-depth insights, context, and recommendations for decision-makers, practitioners, and analysts.
• Policy Papers Evidence-based, in-depth analyses of topical issues for technical experts and policymakers, highlighting key findings, implications, and recommendations.
• Policy Briefs Long-form articles exploring specific issues within the institute's focus areas, drawing policy implications for relevant stakeholders.
• Short Analyses Brief, focused examinations of data or developments providing key insights and implications for decision makers in a clear, digestible format.
• Commentaries Concise, opinion-driven pieces offering timely interpretation or perspective on current developments for policymakers and the broader policy community.
• Data Visualisations Interactive and static visualisations including maps, infographics, charts, and databases that present research clearly for policy and public understanding.
• The Africa Hour Podcast Podcast episodes featuring expert discussions and storytelling with written summaries, delivering policy insights to the APRI network and beyond. Takes listeners through one policy issue per episode, examining one specific country and speaking to local experts with divergent views.
• Factsheets Concise informational guides providing overviews of key policy topics and frameworks such as the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and African Green Minerals Strategy.
• Mapping Africa's Green Mineral Partnerships Interactive database and accompanying report mapping bilateral and multilateral agreements made with African countries regarding access to their green or critical minerals.
• Africa's Green Transition: Mapping Cooperation in Climate Finance Interactive database mapping trade, investment, and green projects between African countries and major actors (China, EU, Gulf states), tracking pledged and disbursed climate finance.
• The Shifting Geography of Africa+1 Summits Interactive map tracking Africa+1 summits from 1973–2024, showing how African states' diplomatic partnerships have evolved from France to Asia, the US, and beyond.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major and supporting.

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ collaborates with APRI on specific projects including the ECOWAS Policy Analysis Series (EPAS) and development policy dialogues.
• University of IbadansupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research collaboration and academic expertise.
• University of JohannesburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research collaboration and academic expertise.
• AfrodadsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-African democracy and development organization partner.
• NAWI (African Natural Wonders Initiative)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting natural resources and environmental research.
• ESB Business SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research collaboration opportunities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• German Development Institute (IDOS, formerly DIE/GDI): Bonn-based German think tank conducting research on global development and international cooperation, advising BMZ and other German development actors. Directly comparable in mission, Berlin/Bonn location, and BMZ-funder ecosystem.
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI): London-based global affairs think tank working on international development, humanitarian, and policy issues including a Global Risks and Resilience programme with African country focus. Comparable as a European-headquartered policy-research institute that informs donor-country and African policy.
• Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa): Pretoria-based African think tank producing research on human security, governance, and policy across the continent. Directly comparable as an Africa-focused independent policy-research institute producing reports, briefs, and convenings.
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Berlin-based German foreign-policy think tank providing independent analysis on international and security policy to the German government and Bundestag. Directly comparable as a German-headquartered policy-research institute that informs German and EU policymaking, including on Africa.
• Chatham House (Africa Programme): Royal Institute of International Affairs; runs a dedicated Africa Programme producing policy research, convening, and analysis on African political economy and foreign policy. Highly comparable as a think tank producing evidence-based analysis to inform UK, EU, and African policymakers on African issues.
• International Crisis Group: Global think tank producing field-based analysis and policy recommendations to prevent and resolve deadly conflict, with significant Africa coverage. Comparable as a policy-research institute producing reports and briefings for governments on political and security issues across Africa.
• African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET): Accra-based African economic policy think tank producing research on African economic transformation and advisory to African governments. Directly comparable as an Africa-focused policy-research institute delivering analysis to governments.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution (Africa Growth Initiative): Major US-based public-policy research organization with an Africa Growth Initiative producing economic and governance research on African countries. Broad incumbent with overlapping thematic focus on African policy and economic development.
• Mo Ibrahim Foundation (Ibrahim Index / Policy work): Foundation focused on African governance and leadership, producing the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and policy research on governance and economic development. Comparable as a higher-profile African-governance policy-research actor with broader visibility.

Emerging players

• Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Africa programmes): German political foundation affiliated with the CDU running multiple Africa-focused policy and dialogue programmes. Comparable in the German political-foundation ecosystem that funds and operates Africa policy work, and a potential partner or competitor for policy influence.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeafripoli.org/podcasts/the-africa-hour-podcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afripoli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute