Global Development Network

18/05/2026

📄 Working Paper: Reducing Gender and Locational Gaps in Digital Financial Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa

Why are women and rural communities still being left behind in the digital financial revolution? This study finds that digital literacy plays a major role in shaping access to mobile money, online banking, and other digital financial services across Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper highlights how gaps in smartphone access, education, financial literacy, and decision-making power continue to drive inequality, and calls for targeted policies to build more inclusive digital economies. Written by Michael Coffie, University of Cape Coast.

🔗 Read the paper:

Reducing Gender and Locational Gaps in Digital Financial Inclusion: The Role of Digital Literacy in SSA

12/05/2026

📢 Call for Reviewers: 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC)

We are inviting applications from consultants to support the review process for the 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition.

If you have expertise in development research, innovation, project evaluation, or related fields, we encourage you to apply and contribute to recognising impactful research and development projects from low- and middle-income countries.

🔗 Learn more and apply by 22 May 2026: https://www.gdn.int/opportunities
Learn more about GDAC 2026: https://www.gdn.int/gdac/2026/

04/05/2026

Le 6 mai, inscrivez-vous dès maintenant !
Happening on May 6, register soon!

Faire de la recherche au Bénin 🇧🇯 : présentation des résultats du Doing Research Assessment (DRA) et lancement du rapport | English below ⬇️

Rejoignez-nous le 06 mai 2026 pour un webinaire international consacré aux résultats du DRA au Bénin. La session mettra en lumière les principaux défis et opportunités du système de recherche, ainsi que des pistes concrètes pour renforcer l’utilisation des connaissances dans les politiques publiques.

🗓️ 06 mai 2026 | 11h00 – 12h30 (GMT+1)
🌐 En ligne | En français et en anglais
🔗 Inscription : https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hq1CS-HfTeWtIajjHRwnrQ #/registration

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Doing Research in Benin 🇧🇯: Presentation of the Doing Research Assessment (DRA) results and report launch

Join us on May 06, 2026, for an international webinar presenting the DRA results in Benin. The session will highlight key challenges and opportunities within the research system, along with actionable pathways to strengthen the use of research in public policy.

🗓️ May 06, 2026 | 11:00 – 12:30 (GMT+1)
🌐 Online | French and English
🔗 Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hq1CS-HfTeWtIajjHRwnrQ #/registration

ACED AFD - Agence Française de Développement

28/04/2026

What does it take to build stronger research ecosystems, ones that are locally grounded and resilient? A new external evaluation of GDN’s programmes in Francophone Africa (2021 to 2025), conducted by Hwéfa Consulting, explores this question.

By examining five programmes together, the evaluation looks at whether working at multiple levels within a single region creates added value. The story that emerges is one of connection. Supporting individuals, strengthening institutions, and engaging the broader system can create synergies that go beyond standalone interventions.

It is also a reminder that meaningful change does not happen in silos. It depends on how these different levels interact and reinforce each other.

🔗 Read the full report:https://www.gdn.int/sites/default/files/%282021-2025%29%20Evaluation%20of%20the%20Global%20Development%20Network%E2%80%99s%20Programmes%20in%20Francophone%20Africa.pdf

27/04/2026

Faire de la recherche au Bénin 🇧🇯 : présentation des résultats du Doing Research Assessment (DRA) et lancement du rapport | English below ⬇️

Rejoignez-nous le 06 mai 2026 pour un webinaire international consacré aux résultats du DRA au Bénin. La session mettra en lumière les principaux défis et opportunités du système de recherche, ainsi que des pistes concrètes pour renforcer l’utilisation des connaissances dans les politiques publiques.

🗓️ 06 mai 2026 | 11h00 – 12h30 (GMT+1)
🌐 En ligne | En français et en anglais
🔗 Inscription : https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hq1CS-HfTeWtIajjHRwnrQ #/registration

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Doing Research in Benin 🇧🇯: Presentation of the Doing Research Assessment (DRA) results and report launch

Join us on May 06, 2026, for an international webinar presenting the DRA results in Benin. The session will highlight key challenges and opportunities within the research system, along with actionable pathways to strengthen the use of research in public policy.

🗓️ May 06, 2026 | 11:00 – 12:30 (GMT+1)
🌐 Online | French and English
🔗 Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hq1CS-HfTeWtIajjHRwnrQ #/registration

ACED AFD - Agence Française de Développement

23/04/2026

🔔 6ème session du Club des Chercheurs !

Le Global Development Network, à travers son Club des chercheurs, vous invite à une rencontre en ligne dédiée à l'excellence scientifique et à la valorisation des savoirs.

Pour cette session, nous allons accueillir Karl Akiki, directeur du Pôle Publications et valorisation de la Francophonie scientifique de l'Académie internationale de la Francophonie scientifique (AIFS-AUF) au sein de l'AUF.
Au programme de son intervention :
1️⃣ Explorer les opportunités, les facilitations et les programmes offerts par l'espace de la Francophonie scientifique.
2️⃣ Discuter des meilleures pratiques en terme de valorisation scientifique
3️⃣ Découvrir les activités de l'AIFS / AUF

Informations pratiques :
Lien de connexion : https://zoom.us/j/94898299492?pwd=hepRHAcaRCSbaBVgwkh565O0JWTBfV.1

⚠️ Important : Il faut posséder ou créer un compte Zoom (en amont) pour accéder à la session.

22/04/2026

Konnichiwa from Japan 🇯🇵

GDN’s President, Jean-Louis Arcand, and Director of Operations, Aarti Khanna, recently met with current and former Board Members in Tokyo to reconnect, exchange ideas, and reflect on shared priorities. The meeting offered important insights into potential collaborations.

More on our work in Japan soon. Stay tuned!

21/04/2026

🤔 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡?

Join ADBI for a special 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧‑𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝, President of the Global Development Network.

💡 This session explores how remote sensing can track economic activity, support subnational analysis, and strengthen inclusive development, while highlighting the need for local capacity building and open data access.

👉🔗 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝟏𝟔:𝟑𝟎 - 𝟏𝟕:𝟑𝟎 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: fb.me/e/6QOqeX90h
𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦: adbi.me/4vUyTd0

20/04/2026

📢 Calling researchers exploring the intersection of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and Human Security in the Global South!

The 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) invites research proposals that push the frontiers of how social sciences engage with Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Global South, and how these link to Human Security. Selected projects can receive up to $30,000, along with mentoring support.

🔗 Learn more about the Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) and apply: https://www.gdn.int/gdac/2026

20/04/2026

📢 Calling NGOs and CSOs driving innovative development solutions in the Global South

The 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) invites applications for the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) under the theme: Science, Technology, and Innovation for Peace and Human Security.

We are looking for organisations from LMICs that go beyond deploying “tech tools” to build human capabilities among vulnerable and marginalised communities, and strengthen human security through innovation. Selected organisations can receive $25,000–$50,000 in funding, along with mentoring support.

🔗 Learn more and apply by June 17: www.gdn.int/gdac/2026

13/04/2026

📢 Call for Papers and Projects: Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Peace and Human Security

The 2026 edition of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) is here! Selected research and development projects can win up to $50,000, along with mentoring support.

Learn more and apply by June 17, 2026:

Call for Papers and Projects!