Driving Action through Knowledge
From professional policy fellowships to open-data registries, SDCI runs programs that connect rigorous research with real-world public governance.
SDCI Policy Fellowship
Empowering the next generation of policy leaders
A selective 9-month program providing mid-career researchers, civil servants, and journalists with the analytical tools, writing skills, and mentorship needed to design and influence evidence-based policy in West Africa.
Program highlights & benefits:
- 1-on-1 Mentorship with senior policy experts
- Policy Design Seminars & Quantitative Analysis workshops
- Access to research grant seed funding
- Publication opportunities in SDCI policy papers
SDCI Membership Network
A vibrant community of practice
Join a growing network of policy analysts, scholars, development practitioners, and institutions committed to data-driven decision making. Membership supports our independence and places you at the center of the dialogue.
Program highlights & benefits:
- Full access to SDCI research data repositories
- Priority seating at national dialogues & roundtables
- Invitations to member-only briefings & dinners
- Opportunities for collaborative policy co-authorship
Youth Policy Incubator (YPI)
Nurturing young voices in public policy
An intensive 3-month training bootcamp and internship program designed for students and early-career analysts under 28 to build basic quantitative analysis skills, master policy writing, and participate in active projects.
Program highlights & benefits:
- Rigorous quantitative analysis training (Excel/R/Python)
- Paid internship placement opportunities
- Dedicated peer learning groups & research advisors
- Career guidance & professional network access
Sub-national Governance Initiative (SGI)
Evidence-driven local administration
Strengthening administration at state and local levels by helping local government councils and state agencies design economic plans, track municipal budget spending, and use localized data to deliver public services effectively.
Program highlights & benefits:
- Local economic planning assistance
- Municipal budget tracking & execution tools
- Technical audits and capacity building modules
- LGA policy alignment workshops
Data for Development Initiative (D4D)
Open data, open opportunities
A collaborative effort to clean, digitize, and publish key socio-economic datasets for West Africa. Making public registries, census logs, and agricultural reports easily queryable for academic and commercial research.
Program highlights & benefits:
- Curated and clean open-access data portals
- Free API access for developers and research labs
- Annual development indicators digest
- Interactive policy dashboard tooling
Technical & Advisory Services
We collaborate with government departments, non-governmental organisations, and corporate foundations seeking rigorous, independent research and training.
Research & Analysis
We gather and analyse the evidence others act on — producing policy briefs, thematic reports, and working papers, and taking on commissioned studies for partners who need rigorous, independent analysis on a specific question.
Capacity Building
We strengthen the skills and effectiveness of the people and institutions doing the work — through workshops, training, and mentorship designed around real needs, not generic curricula.
Advisory & Consulting
Expert guidance, technical assistance, and consulting for public and private organisations navigating complex decisions — drawing on the same rigour that powers our research.
Dialogues & Seminars
Structured, dialogue-driven sessions that bring stakeholders together to think through a challenge with us in the room. Bridging evidence and decision makers.
Request a Consultation
Organisations come to us when they need independent, rigorous evidence on a specific question — a study, a policy analysis, an evaluation, technical advice, or a training programme built for their team.
Prefer direct email?
Send your brief to partnership@sdcinitiative.com with your goal, the deliverables you want, and your timeline, and we will come back to you with a scope.