Established in July 1988, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is a public, not-for-profit organization devoted to advanced policy research and training. The principle objective is to strengthen local capacity for conducting independent, rigorous inquiry into problems pertinent to the management of sub-Saharan African. Since 1988, the AERC has brought rigour and evidence to economic policy-making in Africa through economic research, graduate training and policy outreach. Today, the African Economic Research Consortium is one of the most active research and capacity-building institutions in the world with a focus on Africa. The AERC is supported by donor governments, private foundations and international organizations.