Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) CEO Boitumelo Mosako has emphasised the importance of data driven and evidence-based policies, especially in the context of a complex geopolitical landscape.

“It is absolutely vital that we intensify research to support evidence-based policy decisions. In this highly volatile world, it is important to anchor public development bank corporate strategies on sound research, information and knowledge,” she told delegates attending the development finance institution’s third yearly Research Colloquium on March 18.

Held under the theme ‘Sustainable infrastructure development for climate resilience and economic recovery’, the event brought together experts to discuss the latest thinking in development finance and infrastructure development.

It was aimed at inspiring and motivating research-based dialogue about the real problems affecting development and development finance in particular.

Mosako noted that the theme sought to inspire research conversations around topics such as innovative financing models for infrastructure development, designing climate-resilient infrastructure and improving resilience in rural infrastructure development.

She warned that weak research and knowledge activities could lead to not only an insufficient understanding of the operating environment, but could also lead to incorrect advice that may cause policy errors.

“As researchers, as knowledge experts for the African continent, it is important for us to own our narrative, and we are the only ones who can truly, really own it because we live it. The bank's ability to provide the necessary thought leadership for infrastructure development is crucial at this phase of development of our economy.”

Mosako said the DBSA was promoting its thought leadership role in infrastructure development through the research colloquium, among other processes, adding that the colloquium integrates streams of research knowledge and management.

She pointed out that the colloquium continued to provide a “stepping stone” for the creation of an accredited infrastructure journal, the DBSA African Journal of Infrastructure Development, or DAJID, which is peer reviewed and available on an open access platform.

Three papers were presented at the colloquium and will be published in the second volume of the publication.

University of Johannesburg professor Clinton Aigbavboa noted that the journal focusses on the complexity of infrastructure development generally across the African continent.

“The journal aims to uphold academic excellence by publishing rigorous peer review research that advances infrastructure development and policy formulation.

“The vision is to become the leading academic platform that will bridge the gap between theory and practice in infrastructure development, particularly within the African continent,” he said.

Additionally, DBSA chief economist Zeph Nhleko noted the importance of scientific and well-researched information or data in addressing infrastructure gaps in Africa, such as energy, transport and water and sanitation.

“It's important for us to ensure we produce high-quality research, not only for our own . . . executive and the board, but also for the national leaders, for the public policymakers, to make sure they have this at their disposal.

“This [journal] volume that we are releasing today is taking us . . . towards that journey” he said, also noting the importance of collaboration.

“We are very excited about the evolution and the growth of the colloquium as it puts in place a solid foundation for African researchers to participate in knowledge creation, elevating and magnifying the African perspective and its voice. It also ensures that the bank will continue to play its role as a thought leader in the infrastructure space through this exclusively infrastructure-based journal,” said Mosako.