Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS)

What Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS) does

The Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS) is a private, Abuja-based nonprofit think-tank founded in 2011 that conducts policy research, advocacy, and capacity-building programs targeting Nigerian development challenges. Its work is organized around three program areas: Policy Research (analysis of existing policies, gap identification, and best-practice benchmarking), Advocacy (notably engagement with traditional and religious leaders on girls' education, including the June 2024 International Conference for African Traditional and Religious Leaders on Keeping Girls in School drawing participants from 25+ African countries), and Capacity Building (technical assistance, M&E framework development, and strategic planning support for government ministries and civil society organizations). Documented engagements include multi-year technical assistance to the Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (2019-2021), a Policy Framework Review for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development (2020-2021), and ongoing reporting support to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Nigeria portfolio through the DAD Nigeria Portal since 2013.

The organization does not develop or sell software products; its core technology footprint is limited to standard web and social media channels (cprds.org, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn). Revenue is generated entirely through professional services-style engagements — primarily grants from international foundations (BMGF, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, USAID, Dangote Foundation) and consultancy contracts with Nigerian federal and state government ministries. CPRDS is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Lawal Y. Aboki (former coordinator of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals) and operates with a core team of approximately 10 staff supplemented by a bench of named multidisciplinary consultants covering public financial management, M&E, community engagement, humanitarian support, and public policy. Customer segments are concentrated among Nigerian government entities (primary), civil society organizations (primary), private sector (secondary), and local communities in conflict-affected regions such as Borno State and Northern Nigeria.

Name

Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS)

Legal name

Centre for Policy Research and Development Solutions

Website

https://cprds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CPRDS is an Abuja-based nonprofit think-tank founded in 2011 that conducts policy research, advocacy, and capacity-building programs for Nigerian government ministries, civil society organizations, and international development partners, funded primarily by foundation grants and government consultancies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: CPRDS operates as a nonprofit think-tank funded primarily through grants from international foundations (e.g., Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Children's Investment Fund Foundation) and donations. The organization accepts donations through its website to support vital research, community empowerment, and lasting change initiatives.
2. Technical Assistance Contracts: CPRDS generates revenue through consultancy contracts with government ministries and international organizations, providing technical support in areas such as policy framework development, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional capacity assessment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CPRDS is a Nigerian nonprofit think-tank that delivers policy research, strategic development planning, advocacy, and capacity-building services. It conducts in-depth policy analysis, produces strategic development plans, runs advocacy programs engaging traditional and religious leaders on issues like girls' education, and provides technical assistance (institutional capacity assessments, M&E systems, ICT infrastructure support, training) to government ministries and civil society organizations in Nigeria.

Product overview

CPRDS is a think-tank organization that does not offer software products. It provides policy research, advocacy, and capacity building services focused on development challenges in Nigeria. The organization operates through three core program areas: Policy Research (conducting research on policies impacting development, analyzing existing policies, identifying gaps, and researching best practices), Advocacy (engaging traditional and religious leaders on social issues such as girls' education), and Capacity Building (providing technical assistance and training to government ministries and civil society organizations). Additionally, CPRDS maintains a Resource Center/Library that collects and provides access to information related to philanthropy, the non-governmental sector, local communities, and government materials. The organization does not develop or offer software products, platforms, or technology solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Research
• Capacity Building
• Advocacy
• Strategic Development Planning

Quantifiable outcome

• Completed Borno State MRRR Institutional Capacity Assessment identifying gaps and developing Capacity Development Response
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Shehu Musa Yar'Adua FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for content acquisition and message development for a technology-driven anti-corruption advocacy platform. CPRDS supports SMYF in extensive research to identify documents, reports, and knowledge content relevant to promoting accountability in Nigeria.
• Yardadua FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Partnership Capacity Enrichment Initiative to bolster monitoring and reporting capabilities of partners protecting open civic space in Northern Nigeria (North East and North West regions).
• Sultan Foundation for Peace and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the International Conference for African Traditional and Religious Leaders on Keeping Girls in School in Africa. The Sultan Foundation represents traditional leadership structures in Nigeria with significant influence on social norms.
• Girl Child ConcernsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporter and co-organizer of the International Conference for African Traditional and Religious Leaders on Keeping Girls in School, focusing on girls' education advocacy.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer/supporter of the Keeping Girls in School initiative conference. UNICEF supports CPRDS programs focused on children's rights and education in Africa.
• UNFPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer/supporter of the Keeping Girls in School initiative conference. UNFPA partners on reproductive health and gender equality programs.
• Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development (FMHADS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCPRDS was engaged to Prepare Policy Framework Review for the Ministry to enable acceleration of responses to humanitarian needs, disaster relief, and social development programs (2020-2021).
• Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCPRDS conducted comprehensive technical assistance and capacity strengthening program for MRRR including institutional capacity assessment (2018), strategic planning, ICT infrastructure development, and monitoring and evaluation systems (2019-2021).
• UNDPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization mentioned as stakeholder in Borno State reconstruction efforts. CPRDS collaborates with UNDP on sustainable development initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Afrobarometer: A pan-African survey research network producing data on public attitudes toward governance, democracy, and development. Comparable to CPRDS in evidence-based policy research for African contexts, partnership with international donors, and use of research to inform civic and governance programming.

Direct peers

• Africa Policy Research Institute: A think-tank producing policy research and analysis on African development and governance. Comparable to CPRDS in producing research outputs, engaging with government stakeholders, and its focus on policy recommendations for African development challenges.
• Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER): Nigeria's foremost policy research institute, conducting economic and social research to inform government policy. Comparable to CPRDS in delivering policy research outputs to Nigerian federal and state governments, with a similar focus on development planning and evidence-based recommendations.
• Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD): A leading West African policy research and advocacy organization based in Abuja, with a similar mix of policy research, civic space protection, and governance programming. Directly comparable in scope, geography, and target stakeholder base including government, civil society, and regional institutions.
• Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development: A Nigerian policy think-tank focused on conflict prevention, governance, and development in the Sahel region. Comparable to CPRDS in its work on North East Nigeria, partnership with traditional/religious leaders, and policy research on security-affected development challenges.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Africa Growth Initiative: A major global think-tank's Africa-focused program producing research on African development, governance, and policy reform. Comparable to CPRDS in producing evidence-based policy research for African development audiences and engaging with international funders.
• International Crisis Group: A global think-tank producing field-based analysis and policy recommendations on conflict-affected states, including significant Nigeria coverage. Comparable to CPRDS in its policy research on North East Nigeria, conflict-affected development, and engagement with government and civil society stakeholders.

Others

• Institute of Development Studies (IDS): A UK-based global research institute producing knowledge on development policy and practice. Comparable to CPRDS in its research-led approach to development challenges, engagement with civil society capacity building, and influence on policy formulation in low- and middle-income contexts.
• Society for International Development (SID): A global network of development professionals organizing policy dialogue, publications, and convening on international development. Comparable to CPRDS in its convening role on development issues, publication-driven model, and engagement with civil society and international development partners.

Regional players

• National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS): Nigeria's premier policy institute for senior government and military officials, focused on strategic policy formation and leadership development. Comparable to CPRDS in policy research scope and Nigerian government focus, though NIPSS is a government-established institution with broader scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheCPRDS
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCPRDS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cprds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS)