October 09, 2026 —Dilla. As part of its continuous commitment to strengthening research capacity and promoting evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA), in collaboration with Dilla University, successfully organized a two-day Advanced Impact Evaluation Training.
Held on October 8–9, 2026, at the main campus conference hall of Dilla University, the capacity-building program gathered 45 participants (37 male and 8 female). The cohort comprised senior faculty members from Dilla University, PhD candidates, development practitioners, representatives from the Gede’o Zone public service, policymakers from the South Ethiopia region, and officials from the regional investment, planning, and development bureau.
The training program focused on equipping participants with both theoretical foundations and practical applications of state-of-the-art impact evaluation methodologies widely utilized in economic and social policy analysis. Key topics covered during the intensive session included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Propensity Score Matching and Doubly Robust Methods, Difference-in-Differences (DID), and Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)
Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and practical empirical examples, the training enhanced the participants’ expertise in designing, implementing, and interpreting rigorous impact evaluations capable of generating reliable evidence for development interventions.
Reflecting on the session, participants highlighted that the hands-on exposure to advanced quantitative tools significantly enhanced their capacity to evaluate regional development projects and contribute to sound policy formulation.
The program was facilitated by Dr. Molla Alemayew, Senior Researcher at the Ethiopian Economics Association. This initiative forms an integral part of the EEA’s ongoing strategic mission to build institutional research capacity across higher learning institutions and regional governance structures throughout Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Economics Association
