Mandela Institute for Development Studies

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is an Africa-wide think tank which provides a forum for dialogue, information dissemination, networking and research on the different elements of Africa. The institutions aims to shape policy and practice on governance, economic development and the evolution of African institutions. It seeks to address the short, medium, and long-term development challenges in Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner. MINDS is a non-governmental organisation and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

History
MINDS was established in 2010 by former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the African Development Bank, Dr Nkosana Moyo

Programmes
MINDS programmes focus on four thematic areas, i.e. African Heritage, African Governance and Democracy, Economic Development and Institution Formation/Development. The institution commissions research that may lead to a better understanding of African Heritage to shape the nature of development programmes, lead in to better results relative to those achieved to date. The findings from the research undertaken and/or commissioned by MINDS will be used either as input into dialogues whose proceedings will be published. MINDS will also make existing knowledge more accessible through reviews and consolidation of that knowledge. MINDS convenes dialogues based on the research findings. Dialogues hosted also serves the opportunity for knowledge dissemination, networking and influencing public policy formulation and practice in the thematic areas.

Board of trustees
Nkosana Moyo Graça Machel Ali Mufuruki Sara Menker

Advisory board
Donald Kaberuka Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Francis Daniels Noureddine Ayed Adebayo Olukoshi Thandika Mkandawire Trevor Manuel

Patrons
Olusegun Obasanjo Pedro Pires Benjamin Mkapa Festus Mogae

Project partners and associates
Shoprite Old Mutual Trust Africa Southern Africa Trust Grace Machel Trust The African Capacity Building Foundation Nelson Mandela Foundation South African Airways Musa Capital