International Trade and Research Centre

What International Trade and Research Centre does

International Trade and Research Centre (ITRC) is an independent not-for-profit think tank and Public Policy Research, Analysis and Engagement Organization (PPRAEO) domiciled in Nigeria, founded by Sand Mba-Kalu. The organization operates as a policy research and convening platform focused on international trade, regional economic integration, industrial policy, structural transformation, and economic diplomacy across Africa. It is organized around four specialized research centres — the Africa IP Centre, Africa CTA Centre, ITRC Digital Economy Centre, and Africa Green Economy Centre — alongside six core service lines: International Trade Research, Capacity Building and Training, Regional Economic Communities Services, Structural Transformation, Economic Diplomacy, and Industrial Policy.

ITRC's service portfolio is built on professional services delivery rather than technology products. The organization produces research and policy briefs, delivers capacity building programs, provides project cycle management and monitoring and evaluation services, and convenes reform-oriented dialogue through flagship events including the annual All Africa IP Summit (5th edition held in Kigali, November 2024; 6th edition scheduled for Dakar, November 2025). Its customer base is concentrated in the public and intergovernmental sector, with named relationships including the African Union Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, WIPO, ARIPO, and OAPI. The organization is not a technology product company: it has no app, no API, no disclosed integrations, and no AI/ML capabilities.

Revenue is generated through professional services engagements (research, advisory, training, conference operations) funded via partnerships, grants, and institutional arrangements with governments, regional economic communities, and development partners. ITRC does not publicly disclose commercial pricing. The marketing and distribution model is content-led and event-driven, relying on a website publications portal, regular blog and newsletter output, podcast and video content, organic social channels (Twitter/X, Facebook), and the annual summit as the principal engagement mechanism. The underlying technology footprint is a content website with no proprietary platform architecture.

Name

International Trade and Research Centre

Legal name

International Trade and Research Centre

Website

https://it-rc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Trade and Research Centre (ITRC) is an independent Nigerian not-for-profit think tank that provides policy research, capacity building, and convening services on international trade, AfCFTA implementation, intellectual property, and industrial policy to African governments and intergovernmental organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research and Analysis Services: ITRC provides research, analysis, and policy advisory services to governments, regional economic communities, and international organizations focused on international trade, industrial policy, and economic diplomacy.
2. Capacity Building and Training: The organization offers capacity development programs and public policy training on specific sectoral policies and regulations, contributing to international trade capacity development.
3. Project Cycle Management: ITRC provides project cycle management services and project ownership support for trade-related initiatives.
4. Summit and Conference Operations: Revenue generation through organizing premium intellectual property and trade summits such as the annual Africa IP Summit, which attracts policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from across Africa.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ITRC is an independent not-for-profit policy research and think tank organization that provides research, analysis, policy advisory, capacity building, project cycle management, and monitoring and evaluation services to governments, regional economic communities, and international organizations focused on international trade, AfCFTA implementation, industrial policy, and economic diplomacy in Africa. It operates four specialized centres (Africa IP, Africa CTA, Digital Economy, Green Economy) and organizes the annual All Africa IP Summit as a flagship convening platform.

Product overview

International Trade and Research Centre (ITRC) is a not-for-profit policy research organization offering a portfolio of specialized centres and core services. The organization operates four dedicated centres (Africa IP Centre, Africa CTA Centre, ITRC Digital Economy Centre, Africa Green Economy Centre) alongside core service offerings including International Trade Research, Capacity Building And Training, Regional Economic Communities Services, Structural Transformation Services, Industrial Policy Services, and Economic Diplomacy Services. The portfolio is organized as a platform of interconnected research and advisory services rather than a unified software product, with each centre serving distinct policy domains while sharing analytical methodologies and stakeholder engagement frameworks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Africa IP Centre: Specialized centre focused on intellectual property matters in Africa.
• Africa CTA Centre
• ITRC Digital Economy Centre
• Africa Green Economy Centre

Products and services

• Africa IP Centre A specialized centre focused on intellectual property rights in Africa, providing research, analysis, and advocacy for IP protection and commercialization across the continent. It serves African governments, regional IP bodies, and innovation stakeholders.
• Africa CTA Centre Africa Cotton, Textile and Apparel Centre focusing on research and development for Africa's cotton-to-clothing value chains, industrial policy, and regional production networks under AfCFTA. It targets policymakers, industry players, and development partners in the textile sector.
• ITRC Digital Economy Centre A centre dedicated to research and analysis on digital trade, digital transformation, and digital economy strategies for African nations. It serves governments and stakeholders shaping digital policy on the continent.
• Africa Green Economy Centre A centre focused on green economy transitions, sustainable industrial development, and environmental policy research for Africa. It serves African governments and development partners seeking sustainability policy support.
• International Trade Research Research, analysis, and engagement on international trade issues, trade ecosystem improvements, and global trade policy analysis. It targets policymakers, regional bodies, and international organizations.
• Capacity Building and Training International trade capacity development and public policy training on specific sectoral policies and regulations. It targets government officials, trade negotiators, and public sector stakeholders.
• Regional Economic Communities Services Support for regional economic integration, coordination with regional bodies, and analysis of trade arrangements across African regional communities. It targets RECs, continental bodies, and member states.
• Structural Transformation Services Advisory services on economic structural transformation, industrial upgrading, and economic diversification strategies. It targets African governments and regional bodies pursuing industrial policy reform.
• Industrial Policy Services Strategic government initiatives to facilitate growth and development of economic sectors, including innovation support, industrial cluster development, and value chain development programming. It targets African governments and policymakers.
• Economic Diplomacy Services Application of economic instruments for national economic interests including foreign economic activities, policy initiatives for exports and imports, free trade agreements, lending, and foreign assistance. It targets African governments and negotiating teams.
• All Africa IP Summit Annual flagship conference organized by ITRC that convenes African governments, regional IP bodies, WIPO, ARIPO, OAPI, and industry stakeholders to discuss intellectual property policy and its role in continental integration under AfCFTA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully organized the 5th All Africa IP Summit with participation from WIPO, ARIPO, AfCFTA Secretariat, and 48 African nations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Africa in ColorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Africa in Colors, a Rwandan agency focused on empowering Africa's creative industries, serves as local organizing partner for the All Africa IP Summit. The partnership was established through discussions at the Biashara Afrika Business Forum between Summit Chairman Sand Mba-Kalu and Africa in Colors Founder Raoul Rugamba, aiming to create an inclusive summit and leverage IP frameworks for innovation and economic growth.
• Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office formally endorsed and fully supported the 5th All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, demonstrating high-level government partnership in ITRC's flagship IP initiative. The National Coordinator H.E. Mr Olusegun Awolowo participated in summit activities.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIPO has shown interest in participating in ITRC-organized Africa IP Summits, positioning the events as important platforms for discussing IP's role in sustainable development and continental integration under AfCFTA.
• African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerARIPO participates as a prominent stakeholder in ITRC's Africa IP Summit initiatives, contributing to discussions on harmonizing IP systems across African regions.
• AfCFTA SecretariatflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe AfCFTA Secretariat participates in ITRC events, with Dr. Tsotetsi Makong serving as Chief Technical Advisor at summit activities, supporting policy discussions on trade and IP integration.
• EASTECOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) received a courtesy visit from ITRC's Summit Chairman Sand Mba-Kalu, indicating collaborative engagement in IP and innovation policy across East Africa.
• African Organisation for Intellectual Property (OAPI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOAPI collaborates with ITRC on intellectual property initiatives, with joint efforts including the €60.9 million innovation financing partnership launched with the African Guarantee Fund targeting 1,000 innovative projects across 17 African nations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: UK-based advisory and policy organization providing government advisory on economic transformation, trade, and governance with growing Africa programming. Comparable in advisory-style engagement with African governments and on economic transformation themes overlapping ITRC's industrial policy and structural transformation focus.

Direct peers

• Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa): Pretoria-based African policy research organization producing analysis on governance, peace, and economic issues across the continent. Comparable to ITRC as a continental policy think tank funded by grants and partnerships, hosting convenings, and engaging directly with African Union and other continental bodies.
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI): UK-based global affairs think tank producing policy research and advisory on international development, trade, and economic governance, with significant Africa programming. Comparable in business model (commissioned research, convening, advisory services) and in mandate overlap on trade, IP, and industrial policy work in Africa.
• Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA): Nigerian think tank focused on African economic policy, trade, and industrial development research. Directly comparable to ITRC in geography (Nigeria-based), focus areas (trade policy, economic transformation), and target audience (African policymakers and development partners).
• African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET): Accra-based African policy research and advisory think tank focused on economic transformation, trade, and industrial policy across the continent. Closely comparable to ITRC in mission (Africa-focused policy research, capacity building, and convening of policymakers) and target audience (African governments, regional bodies, and development partners).
• African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF): Harare-based African Union-specialized agency focused on capacity building, policy research, and training for African institutions. Comparable to ITRC's capacity-building and policy advisory mandate and its engagement with continental bodies, though ACBF operates at larger institutional scale.
• African Economic Research Consortium (AERC): Pan-African network headquartered in Nairobi that produces economic policy research and trains African economists. Comparable to ITRC in its Africa-wide policy research mandate, capacity-building focus, and donor-funded research output targeting African policymakers.
• South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA): South Africa-based policy research institute covering international affairs, trade, and economic diplomacy for African governments and stakeholders. Directly comparable to ITRC as a research and convening organization working on trade, governance, and Africa's international economic engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs think tank covering global trade, international economics, and Africa policy. Comparable as a convening and research institution competing for the same donor mandates, but operating with a global rather than Africa-exclusive mandate.
• Brookings Institution - Africa Growth Initiative: Washington, DC-based global think tank with a dedicated Africa program producing research on trade, economic transformation, and governance. Comparable as a competitor for donor-funded Africa policy mandates, though with a far broader thematic portfolio and institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ITradeResearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-trade-and-research-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Trade and Research Centre