About Us

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) was officially launched in April 2001 as a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to deliver independent, analytical, critical yet constructive research into social, political and economic issues that affect development in Namibia. The IPPR was established in the belief that free and critical debate informed by quality research promotes development.

The IPPR is independent of government, political parties, commercial interests, trade unions and other interest groups. The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from different areas of Namibian society.

Projects

The work of the IPPR is divided into three core areas: democracy and governance research, public opinion, and public policy analysis.

Since 2005 the IPPR has largely been dependent on grant-aided project work.

Our Democracy Report project focuses on monitoring the work of parliament. The project provides regular updates on developments at parliament and analyses major pieces of legislation and other issues that are relevant to the legislature. Democracy Report is supported by the Embassy of Finland.

The IPPR has been running its anti-corruption research project since 2009. In partnership with Freedom House, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Osisa), and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, we have produced a series of research papers focussing on corruption prevention in Namibia. These papers seek to analyse critical issues in the fight against corruption and to propose solutions. As part of the project a number of public events seek to bring together stakeholders on this issue.

Since 2014, the IPPR has been an official partner of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF). In the past the IPPR has produced a range of research publications in partnership with HSF – covering such issues as minerals beneficiation, electoral integrity, the blue economy, and media sustainability in the digital age. Currently, the IPPR’s HSF-supported work includes a Quarterly Economic Review, a regular publication tracking public procurement, and a Namibian fact-checking service. The IPPR also receives institutional support from HSF for three posts – an Executive Director, a part-time Accountant, and a part-time Office Administrator.

Other current (2021/22) donors include the US Embassy, the Australian High Commission, B2 Gold Namibia, International Budget Partnership, DW Akademie, Global Partners Digital, and FHI360.

Partners

IPPR is mainly grant funded but also undertakes paid research on public policy issues provided independent conclusions can be reached and made available to the public. Past donors have included the Kingdom of Norway, the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, Afrobarometer, the Ford Foundation, RMB Namibia, IJG Securities, and the Netherlands Consulate. For further details of IPPR’s donors please see the annual audited accounts and narrative reports available as downloads on this website.