Call us: +234 907 777 8879
+234 913 367 4007
info@sdatrust.org
Donate now
Donate now
Our Institute

A Hub for African-Led Research,
Learning, and Leadership

Pan African Institute for Development and Humanitarian Studies (PAIDHS)

A leading centre of excellence for research, training, and knowledge exchange, PAIDHS supports the next generation of African thought leaders and practitioners in development and humanitarian studies.
Key Offerings
01
Postgraduate and certificate programmes
02
Field-based research opportunities
03
Training for NGOs, governments, and humanitarian agencies
04
Policy labs and thematic seminars
05
Digital learning platforms

The Pan African Institute for Development and Humanitarian Studies is a Nigerian-based, African-focused institution dedicated to advancing African-led solutions to the continent’s most pressing development, humanitarian, governance, and peacebuilding challenges. Affiliated with the Social Development Action Trust, the Institute serves as a hub for cutting-edge research, strategic capacity building, policy engagement, and collaborative dialogue across Africa.

At its core, the Institute champions African ownership, leadership, and innovation in shaping the continent’s future. It promotes rigorous research and policy analysis to inform evidence-based decision-making, strengthens the capacity of African practitioners, especially youth and women, in humanitarian and development leadership, and fosters Pan-African solidarity by connecting state and non-state actors across regions. As a dynamic think tank and convener, the Pan African Institute provides thought leadership on pivotal African and global agendas, including Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate resilience, social protection, migration, and conflict prevention.

Through a combination of high-impact research, training programs, advocacy initiatives, strategic partnerships, and its flagship Annual African Development & Humanitarian Forum, the Institute is building a robust ecosystem of African actors and institutions working collaboratively to drive transformative, equitable, and sustainable change across the continent.

Vision

An inclusive, developed and resilient Africa, shaped by African-led solutions.

Mission

To serve as a Pan-African centre of excellence in research, training, and capacity development, cultivating leadership, fostering knowledge exchange, and advancing African-led solutions for sustainable development, humanitarian resilience, and peace.

What We Do

Grounded in African realities and committed to shifting power and perspective, the Institute works across five key areas:
Advance African-led Research and Policy Solutions
We conduct rigorous, interdisciplinary research to generate evidence on development, peacebuilding, governance, and humanitarian trends across Africa. Our work informs policymaking and programming at regional, national, and local levels, helping shape impactful, context-specific interventions.
Strengthen Capacity for Humanitarian and Development Leadership
Through targeted training, mentorship, and learning programs, we build the technical and strategic leadership skills of African practitioners—especially women and youth—who are shaping the future of development and humanitarian action on the continent.
Foster Pan-African Solidarity and Regional Integration
We convene dialogue and collaboration among African governments, civil society, academia, and regional institutions such as the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to promote collective action and African-driven integration.
Promote Decolonisation, Localisation, and Community-led Approaches
We challenge dominant paradigms and advocate for locally rooted, equitable approaches to development and humanitarian response, championing the leadership of communities and local actors to ensure ownership, dignity, and long-term sustainability.
Provide Thought Leadership on Key African and Global Agendas
As a convening platform and think tank, we contribute thought leadership on strategic issues including Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate resilience, migration, conflict prevention, and social protection, amplifying African perspectives and priorities on the global stage.

Our Courses

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master's Programs

  • PGD/MSc in Development and Humanitarian Studies

    Focus: Development theory, humanitarian principles, localisation, project management, and community resilience.

  • PGD/MSc in Governance, Democracy, and Civic Leadership

    Focus: Democratic institutions, public accountability, political inclusion, and leadership in African governance.

  • PGD/MSc in Gender, Equity, and Inclusive Development

    Focus: Gender analysis, intersectionality, inclusive policy development, and women’s leadership in development and emergencies.

  • PGD/MSc in Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation

    Focus: Mediation, transitional justice, early warning systems, and post-conflict recovery in African contexts.

  • PGD/MSc in Climate Justice and Environmental Resilience

    Focus: Climate adaptation, just transitions, environmental governance, and sustainable development strategies.

  • PGD/MSc in Migration, Displacement, and Social Protection

    Focus: Refugee rights, internal displacement, migration governance, and inclusive social protection frameworks.

  • PGD/MSc in African Policy and Regional Integration Studies

    Focus: AU Agenda 2063, ECOWAS/SADC/EAC integration, Pan-Africanism, and continental diplomacy.

Professional and Technical Certificate Courses

  • Certificate in Humanitarian Coordination and Emergency Response

    Practical skills in needs assessment, logistics, cluster coordination, and disaster risk reduction.

  • Certificate in Localisation and Community-Led Development

    Tools and frameworks for shifting power to local actors and strengthening local systems.

  • Certificate in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

    Applied skills in results-based management, participatory M&E, and data-driven decision-making.

  • Certificate in Conflict Sensitivity and Do-No-Harm Approaches

    Essential training for practitioners working in fragile or conflict-affected environments.

  • Certificate in African Feminist Leadership and Advocacy

    Centering feminist approaches in policy advocacy, programming, and movement-building.

  • Certificate in Sustainable Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship

    Focused on local economic empowerment, social enterprise models, and resilient livelihoods.

  • Certificate in Policy Research and Evidence-Informed Advocacy

    Skills in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and transforming evidence into action.

  • Certificate in Climate Adaptation for Development Practitioners

    Practical adaptation planning for NGOs, local governments, and grassroots communities.

Operational and Management-Focused Courses

  • Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

    Procurement, warehousing, fleet management, last-mile delivery, and emergency logistics.

  • Certificate in Financial Management for NGOs and Humanitarian Agencies

    Budget planning, grant compliance, donor reporting, and financial risk management.

  • Certificate in Project and Program Management (PM4NGOs)

    Logical framework approach, work breakdown structures, risk management, and project cycle management.

  • Certificate in Grant Writing and Donor Compliance

    Proposal development, donor engagement strategies, reporting requirements, and compliance systems.

Sign Up To Receive News From Us!

Sign up to receive updates on our work, publications, and opportunities to support community-led development and humanitarian action across Africa.

Connect With HubSteel.

Send us a message to have all your questions answered about HubSteel products and services