Economic Research Forum

The Economic Research Forum (ERF) is a leading regional research network established in 1993 to promote independent, high-quality economic research that drives sustainable development in the Arab countries, Iran, and Turkey. Headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, the non-profit organization functions as an essential bridge between academia and policy [The Forum]. It achieves this by funding multi-country research initiatives, publishing academic-policy commentaries via The Forum portal, and hosting major regional policy dialogues that address critical socio-economic challenges like labor market reforms and trade policies [The Forum].A central pillar of the ERF's impact is its commitment to capacity building and data democratization within the MENAT region. Through its open-access Data Portal, the forum provides researchers with invaluable microdata, including household and firm-level datasets that are otherwise difficult to access. By mentoring junior scholars and providing a collaborative platform for over 200 research fellows, the ERF continuously strengthens the region's institutional capacity to produce data-driven, objective solutions for economic policymakers.