A new Regional Centre of Excellence in Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling will position Makerere University at the forefront of Africa’s climate and economic policy landscape. Hosted at the EfD center at Makerere (EfD-Mak), the hub aims to support research, policy advice, and training that integrate climate and environmental concerns into macroeconomic planning and public investment decisions across the continent.
The vision was outlined during a high-level meeting at Makerere on Thursday. Officials from the World Bank's Coalition on Capacity for Climate Action and Uganda’s Ministry of Finance attended the meeting, where they discussed potential funding opportunities and strategies for operationalizing the center. Undergraduate and graduate students also participated.
“We have a solid foundation,” said Edward Bbaale, Director of EfD-Mak and Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences.
“Our graduate programs, government collaborations, and proven capacity in climate-economic research give us the platform—we now need the resources to take this forward.”
Complementary programs reinforce academic base
Makerere’s new MSc in Economic and Investment Modelling is central to the proposed hub, which will train students in tools like Computable General Equilibrium and Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium models. These models are vital for understanding the relationship between economic growth, climate change, and investment planning.
The program starting in August 2025 devotes over half its content to economic modeling, with a strong emphasis on integrating environmental data, climate variables, and satellite accounts on land use, emissions, water, and energy. Complementary programs like the MSc in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics and PhD tracks in partnership with the School of Agricultural Sciences further reinforce the center’s academic base.
International partnerships support capacity building
EfD-Mak already collaborates with global institutions including the University of Gothenburg and Queen’s University (Canada). It receives support from development partners like SIDA, GIZ, and the World Bank, and has worked closely with ministries in Uganda—particularly Finance and Water—on integrating climate risk into public investment management. As the World Bank 's Coalition on Capacity for Climate Action join EfD for collaboration, the combined expertise and resources significantly enhance the center’s capacity to influence policy, scale solutions, and drive sustainable development outcomes.
The university also co-hosts the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence with the Ministry of Finance, which has trained over 300 public officers. In collaboration with the World Bank, it offers specialized short courses on climate and environmental issues in public investment programs now attracting regional interest, including from South Sudan.
Provides platform for African finance ministries
Etienne Espagne, Senior Economist at the World Bank, emphasized the hub’s strategic potential to serve as a technical backbone for finance ministries across Africa. It aligns with the growing momentum under the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, where Uganda’s Ministry of Finance plays a leading role.
“This is a terrific opportunity to align technical expertise with political will,” said Etienne Espagne.
“Makerere can be at the center of a regional network that supports climate-smart economic planning by ministries of finance.”
He noted that while the regional coordination among finance ministries is still developing, the strong connection between Uganda’s finance ministry and Makerere provides a promising launch point. He suggested hosting a broader regional forum at Makerere to expand participation and regional ownership.
Preparing for implementation
The university is already engaged in similar initiatives. With GIZ support, Makerere is currently building a macroeconomic model for the Ministry of Water, alongside training staff in data collection and policy analysis.
Past collaborations with the IMF, African Development Bank, and other institutions have also helped build capacity in areas like emissions modeling, clean energy, natural capital accounting, and climate risk research.
“We are not just preparing—we are already delivering on this mandate,” Edward Bbaale said. “But to create a regional impact, we need enhanced support and technical partnerships. That’s why we’re calling on global institutions to join us.”
The planned center will also serve as a resource hub for African members of the Coalition of Finance Ministers, helping them develop and implement climate-sensitive fiscal and investment frameworks.
Conducts impact-oriented research
EfD-Mak has a strong record of policy-relevant research. Its projects have included randomized control trials on clean energy adoption in urban food businesses, studies on COVID-19’s impact on food security, and research on solar-powered irrigation systems. These efforts have directly influenced government decisions and earned the center a Policy Impact Award at EfD 2023 Annual Meeting in Nairobi.
By linking research, training, and policy engagement, Makerere’s proposed center seeks to shape Africa’s transition toward climate-resilient development and green growth.
“This discussion is only the beginning,” said Espagne. “We are excited about the next steps—expanding the partner network and anchoring this initiative here at Makerere University as a regional leader.”
By Jane Anyango
Communication Officer,
EfD-Uganda