Promoting Evidence-Based Policymaking: National Policy Conference in Guinea-Bissau

A team of local PEP researchers held a national policy conference to present key findings from their latest research projects, focusing on impact evaluation methodologies to support evidence-based policymaking in Guinea-Bissau.

The event brought together policymakers, government officials, representatives from international organizations, and civil society members to discuss how impact evaluations can enhance national education, agriculture, and economic development policies. 

The conference featured presentations on two major PEP research projects:

1. Evaluating the Impact of a Support Hotline for Cashew Producers – A study assessing the effectiveness of a new helpline that provides real-time market information and advisory services to cashew producers in Guinea-Bissau.
2. Assessing Early Childhood Education During the Cashew Harvest – A study investigating how access to preschool education during the cashew season can improve gender equity and economic stability for rural families.

Florentino Carlos Delegado, President of the National Cashew Agency (ANCA), emphasized that transforming the cashew sector requires continuous efforts from the entire value chain, including producers, traders, exporters, bankers, and regulatory authorities.

He stated that Guinea-Bissau needs a dynamic, competitive, and innovative sector to ensure long-term stability and economic growth. Quality alone is not enough, and strategic partnerships—such as the collaboration between ANCA and BELAB—are essential for maintaining the country’s global reputation for high-quality cashew exports.

ANCA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with PEP researchers to ensure that cashew producers in Guinea-Bissau receive market information that allows them to negotiate better prices. A structured dissemination of market information through cooperatives could significantly enhance producers' bargaining power and overall efficiency in the supply chain.

Speaking about the conference’s objectives, BELAB’s Deputy Executive Director, Dayvikson Tavares, explained that the event aimed to showcase the results of a two-year study on cashew market performance.

The Nkalo Platform Impact:

• Producers who used the Nkalo market information platform earned on average 60,000 CFA francs more than those who did not.
• However, due to challenges in the 2023 cashew campaign, the expected impact was not fully realized.
• Villages that received additional intermediary lists saw a 10% income increase, while those without intermediary lists experienced minimal impact.

BELAB researchers emphasized that, despite its strategic importance to Guinea-Bissau’s economy, the cashew market lacks transparency and access to price information across different production zones.

They highlighted that the lack of reliable information and weak analytical capacity are critical obstacles preventing cashew producers from effectively negotiating the prices of their harvests. There is an urgent need for policies that promote greater access to market information and transparency.

Additional Policy Recommendations

• Strengthening cooperatives to enhance producers’ negotiation power.
• Ensuring cashew price transparency across different production zones.
• Supporting structured information-sharing platforms like Nkalo to help farmers make informed market decisions.

The conference attracted significant media attention, with journalists from Radio Sol Mansi, O Democrata, Capital FM, Radio Jovem, and Jornal Ultima Hora covering the discussions. Reports highlighted the importance of impact evaluations in shaping effective governance and economic planning.

The PEP research team proposed the following key policy recommendations:

• Institutionalize impact evaluations within government agencies to inform policy decisions.
• Expand access to preschool education during seasonal labor periods to promote gender equity and economic stability.
• Strengthen partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and international organizations to ensure data-driven policymaking.
• Enhance market support for cashew producers through real-time advisory services, helping farmers make informed selling decisions and increasing women’s participation in the sector.

With continued research and collaboration, PEP is committed to supporting Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to implement data-driven policies that enhance social and economic development.