A workshop titled "Guidelines for Researching Sensitive Topics and Working with Vulnerable Populations" was held on January 22-23, 2025, at the CSEA conference hall in Abuja. The workshop was led by Sixtus Onyekwere, a Non-resident Associate (CSEA), PhD candidate at the University of Portsmouth and board member of the Centre for the Advancement of Equality , Gender and Inclusion Studies (AEGIS). The workshop included a thorough discussion of important research themes. Four key modules were covered: Trauma-Informed Care Protocols, Duty of Care, Principles of Continuing Consent and Assent, and Feminist Interviewing Techniques. The event fostered significant discussions through collaborative group work, role play  and Q/A sessions, giving attendees invaluable opportunities to share and exchange ideas. The workshop also featured a presentation by Chisom Udora and Dr. Uche Anyamele on CSEA’s Gender Inclusion Index project. After the training, participants had a better understanding of best practices on researching/working with survivors of VAWG.

On January 15th, 2025, the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB) partnered with the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) to enhance subnational policy creation through evidence-based research. This partnership is an important step towards improving data systems and encouraging evidence-based decision-making at the state level in Nigeria. CSEA was represented by Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director; Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Director of Research; and Dr. Abdulfatai Adedeji, Research Fellow. Through this partnership, CSEA will play a vital role in providing states with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully use data to make significant decisions. The collaboration between MEPB and CSEA lays the groundwork for scaling these efforts to additional states, assuring a greater influence on sustainable development in Nigeria.

On December 14, 2024, CSEA hosted a special delegation from the State of California, led by Dr. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of Transportation for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), alongside Dr. Aditya Ramji, University of California Davis Institute of Transportation Technology, and Giles F. Giovinazzi,Senior Advisor, California State Transportation Agency.

The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations in areas such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and the transfer of knowledge and skills, with an emphasis on renewable energy, energy transition, climate change, economic development, and the creative economy.

During the visit, Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director of CSEA, and the CSEA team provided valuable insights into the organization's work on climate financing, energy, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA highlighting areas where there may be opportunities for collaboration.

The discussions also focused on fostering partnerships, building capacity, and initiating development projects to further strengthen these areas in Nigeria.

Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena participated in the 2024 Africa Policy Circle Conference, held at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe, Malawi, on December 10-11, 2024. The conference, supported by, konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung-Political Dialogue for Sub-Saharan Africa (KAS PolDiSSA), brought together experts and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the opportunities and challenges under the theme ‘South Africa G20 Presidency: Steering Digital Rights, Inclusion, and Anti-Corruption Efforts’.

As South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency, the conference recognized the significance of this moment for Africa. With the African Union now included in the G20, there is a unique opportunity to amplify African voices and advocate for the continent's collective interests.

The event featured several sessions of meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing aimed at promoting digital rights inclusion, combating corruption, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable development trajectory for Africa.

Development Gateway (DG) hosted a four-day workshop from December 3rd to 6th, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together representatives of DG and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA). The aim was to analyze first-year operations, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for the second year, 2025. Roles and responsibilities for the first year of TCDI 2.0 were covered, as well as technical improvements, the tobacco control landscape, and AfCFTA compliance. The program emphasized teamwork and provided technical clarifications to assist with requirement writing and other activities.

Each day of the event had a distinct focus. Day 2 covered comments on the first year, with the CSEA team discussing challenges and growth while the DG team showcased their communication approach. Day 3 focused on stakeholder engagement, emphasizing tailored communication strategies and informing participants about the seventh country selection process and study methodology. The final day was dedicated to survey methods, research guides, and activity planning for 2025. Participants gained a greater understanding of their duties, communication skills, teamwork, and constructive criticism, as well as identifying challenges such as delayed responses, effective use of tools like Paperpile, translation concerns, and discovering reputable references.