Capacity development and training have been a critical and central component of the work at IDEP since its establishment. Indeed, it lies at the heart of the Institute’s mandate and mission. Over the years, the Institute has delivered training with a strong emphasis on senior and middle-level career officials, primarily from the executive arms of governments across the continent. Most of the training programmes are anchored in economic management and development planning. While training was traditionally centralized at IDEP’s premises in Dakar, 2012 marked the launch of its decentralized training strategy.

IDEP has long held a reputation for agenda-setting and innovative policy research on the development challenges facing African countries, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. During the economic crises of the 1980s and 1990s, the Institute shifted its focus toward advisory services requested by African governments and expanded its capacity development and training activities. In today’s evolving global and local development landscape, there is a renewed need for generating policy-relevant knowledge, making the revival of development research at or under the auspices of IDEP a key priority.

Created in 2016, IDEP’s “Knowledge Management and ICT” division aims to make knowledge resources accessible to African policymakers, researchers, students, and anyone interested in Africa’s development. It places particular emphasis on resources generated by the ECA and IDEP.

The division strengthens organizational efficiency by providing strategic support, resource management, and collaboration opportunities. It promotes effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable partnerships to drive institutional growth, innovation, and impactful development initiatives.