Request for Proposal For Abstracts For The 12Th Eprn Annual Economic Research Conference

Request for proposals for Abstracts for the 12th Eprn Annual Economic Research Conference Conference Objectives The overall objective of the 12th EPRN Annual Economic Research Conference is to provide a platform for collaborative dialogue and evidence-based research that strengthens Rwandas economic resilience and inclusivity in line with Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST 2). The conference seeks to generate practical insights and policy recommendations that respond to both domestic priorities and global uncertainties, while fostering partnerships among government, academia, civil society, and development partners. Specifically, the conference will brainstorm on key policy areas linked to its sub-themes: strengthening tax administration to expand Rwandas fiscal space Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation for Resilient and Inclusive Growth; Youth and jobs in the era of technology: harnessing Rwandas demographic dividend; : Regional Integration, Constraints and Prospects: Positioning Rwanda in AfCFTA and EAC; and : Inclusive Growth and Leaving No One Behind: Equity in Rwandas Vision 2050. These objectives aim to guide discussions toward actionable strategies that can accelerate Rwandas journey toward sustainable and equitable development. Conference Sessions and Focus Areas Session 1: Tax Administration to Finance Sustainable Growth: Strengthening Rwandas Fiscal Space Context: Rwandas fiscal deficit has narrowed in recent years, with debt-to-GDP declining from 71.3% in 2022 to 66.6% in 2023 (MINECOFIN, 2024). However, financing ambitious development programs under Vision 2050 requires stronger domestic resource mobilization. Focus Areas: Brainstorm on reforms in tax administration to improve efficiency, compliance, and equity. Explore innovative financing instruments such as green bonds, blended finance, and digital tax systems. Deliberate on balancing revenue generation with private sector competitiveness and citizen welfare. Session 2: Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation for Resilient and Inclusive Growth Context: Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwandas economy, employing over 60% of the population and contributing nearly a quarter of GDP. Beyond its role in livelihoods, agriculture is central to food security, nutrition, rural development, and export diversification. Rwandas transformation agenda requires a holistic approach to food systems spanning production, processing, distribution, and consumption while addressing challenges such as climate change, demographic pressures, and regional integration. This session will provide a platform to reflect on Rwandas progress and co-develop strategies that strengthen resilience, enhance productivity, and ensure inclusive benefits across the food system. Focus Areas: Food security and nutrition: Explore strategies to improve availability, access, and utilization of nutritious food. Climate-smart and sustainable agriculture: Brainstorm on approaches to strengthen resilience through irrigation, mechanization, soil health, and climate adaptation. Value chain development: Deliberate on strengthening agribusiness, agro-processing, and market linkages to reduce post-harvest losses and increase competitiveness. Innovation and financing: Reflect on digital platforms, innovative financing instruments, and public-private partnerships to support farmers, SMEs, and cooperatives. Policy coherence and evidence-based planning: Discuss how research and data can guide Rwandas agricultural transformation and food systems development. Regional and global integration: Co-create strategies to expand intra-African agrifood trade under AfCFTA and EAC, while addressing non-tariff barriers and logistics challenges. Equity and inclusion: Ensure women, youth, and marginalized groups benefit equitably from agricultural transformation and food systems development. Session 3: Youth and jobs in the era of technology: harnessing Rwandas demographic dividend Context: Youth (1635 years) make up over 60% of Rwandas population, yet unemployment and underemployment remain high (NISR, 2025). Only 18% of youth are employed in technology-related sectors despite Rwandas ICT-led development agenda (ILO, 2025). Focus Areas: Explore opportunities in ICT, fintech, and innovation hubs for job creation. Brainstorm on skills development programs to align education with labor market needs. Deliberate on entrepreneurship support, access to finance, and policies to reduce youth unemployment. Session 4: Regional Integration, Constraints and Prospects: Positioning Rwanda in AfCFTA and EAC Context: Rwandas exports to Africa grew from $196 million in 2016 to $778 million in 2021, accounting for 50% of total exports (RDB, 2022). AfCFTA implementation could raise Rwandas real incomes by 3.2% and boost intra-African exports by 38% (World Bank, 2024). Focus Areas: Brainstorm on Rwandas trade and industrial policies to maximize AfCFTA and EAC benefits. Reflect on constraints such as non-tariff barriers, logistics, and infrastructure gaps. Co-develop strategies for SMEs, agro-processing, and regional value chains to enhance competitiveness. Session 5: Inclusive Growth and Leaving No One Behind: Equity in Rwandas Vision 2050 Context: Vision 2050 emphasizes inclusive growth, aiming for equitable access to opportunities across rural and urban areas. Poverty reduction progress has slowed, requiring renewed focus on social protection and equity (World Bank, 2023). Focus Areas: Explore Rwandas social protection, gender equality, and inclusive education policies. Brainstorm on approaches to reduce inequality and accelerate poverty reduction. Deliberate on how to ensure marginalized groups benefit from Rwandas transformation agenda. Expected Outputs The 12th Annual Economic Research Conference is expected to generate both policy-relevant outputs and capacity-building impacts that contribute to Rwandas Vision 2050 and NST1 priorities. Expected conference outcomes are as follows: Evidence-based policy recommendations: Actionable insights on tax administration, agriculture, youth employment, regional integration, and inclusive growth to inform government strategies. Strengthened collaboration: Enhanced partnerships between policymakers, researchers, academia, civil society, and development partners for coordinated policy implementation. Knowledge dissemination: Publication of conference proceedings, policy briefs, and selected research papers to guide future programming and advocacy. Capacity building: Opportunities for young researchers and practitioners to present, network, and gain mentorship from senior experts. Visibility of Rwandas policy innovations: Showcasing Rwandas progress in fiscal reforms, agricultural transformation, ICT-driven youth employment, and regional integration within continental and global platforms. Networking and partnerships: New collaborations across sectors to support inclusive and sustainable development initiatives. Venue, Dates and Participants The 12th EPRN Annual Economic Research Conference is scheduled at Lemigo Hotel - Kigali on 25th-26th June 2026; and is expected to attract approximately 350 participants from Rwanda and abroad, attending both physically and virtually. This diverse mix of stakeholders will ensure rich dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical recommendations. Deadline: Thursday, 05/02/2026 17:00 [Disclaimer: The above text is machine translated. For accurate information kindly refer the original document.] Tender Link : https://www.jobinrwanda.com/index.php/job/call-research-proposalsabstracts-12th-eprn-annual-economic-research-conference