Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute

The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) is an independent, non-profit think tank and consultancy firm established in 2006 for the countries of the Horn of Africa in particular and developing countries at large. HESPI provides economic and social policy analysis and research on issues of common interest to the countries of the Horn of Africa, and developing countries in general. The Institute undertakes commissioned studies, policy analysis and research for the public and private sectors in core areas of regional or specific country interest, and provides institutional and human resources capacity building.

The Horn of Africa countries have been afflicted with civil strife and conflict for over many years. As a consequence, the economic and social indicators of the countries of the sub-region are considerably lower than the averages for Sub-Saharan Africa, and their human development indices rank very low among the African countries. HESPI’s mission is to assist with the formulation and implementation of sound economic and social policies, to promote high-quality research and policy analysis, and to provide advisory services to facilitate broad-based economic growth and poverty reduction.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF HESPI

An overall goal of the Institute is to improve economic and social policy making for economic growth and poverty reduction. HESPI performs studies to support the introduction of effective policies and institutions essential for economic and social development. HESPI conducts high quality economic and social policy research and analysis to advise, and provides skills development and institutional capacity building. The core business of the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute is to perform as a Regional Center of excellence and to assist in the development, evaluation and monitoring of economic and social policies.

The core activities of HESPI are in the following program clusters:

• Conducting objective and high-quality economic and social policy analysis and research;

• Promoting the creation of capable states, through improved public services; enhancing public finance management by promoting accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption measures;

• Building of capacity in policy analysis to inform and advise the policy processes. Strengthening institutional and human capacity to analyze, formulate and implement sound broad-based economic and social policies; and multi-sectoral agricultural interventions and sustainable development framework;

• Promoting public and private sector partnership for socio-economic development and promoting financial sector reforms to increase savings and to provide credit efficiently; and

• Promoting national and regional food security and intervention for increased multi-sectoral agricultural production and productivity and the conservation, improvement and sustainable utilization of natural resources including land, water, forest and fisheries.

• Encouraging and facilitating regional economic and social integration.

• Working towards prevention of intra-State and Inter-State conflicts and facilitating dialogue to resolve emerging challenges before they develop into full fledged conflict.