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Rethinking Economic Futures for Africa

Building economic thinking and institutional design from African realities outward.

REFA is a research and translation platform dedicated to uncovering, understanding and building on the economic, social and institutional logics that already organise life across African societies, and translating that understanding into institutions, policies and systems designed to serve the people they were meant to.

Three Connected Parts

The Network

A multidisciplinary fellowship producing research across 6 connected clusters.

Meet the Network →

The Charter

The principles that guide how REFA researches, collaborates and translates knowledge into use.

Read the Charter →

The Project

REFA's registered operational entity, connecting research to policy and practice.

Explore the Project →

REFA Exchange Seminar Series

RESS 1, Online 14 October 2026 12:00 to 13:15 BST/WAT

Sankofa, Ubuntu, and the Griot's Circle

Professor Bolanle Simeon-Fayomi on reimagining internationalisation through African storytelling.

Follow the Work

Blog

Arguments and reflections from REFA and Network contributors.

Read the Blog →

Working Papers

Substantive research emerging from the programme.

Open the Series →

News

Programme announcements, events and organisational updates.

View News →

Become a Charter Signatory

For institutions that want to make a formal commitment to the principles that guide REFA's work.

Explore the Charter

Fund the Work

For funders interested in supporting REFA's research, translation and public programme.

Discuss Funding

Collaborate on Practice

For institutions, policymakers and community partners who want to develop applied work with REFA.

Propose Collaboration