Company Profile

EDI Ltd (Economic Development Initiatives) is a leading Tanzania-based, but internationally focussed consultancy, research and training company.

EDI was established in 2002 by Louise Broadbent and Joachim De Weerdt and was borne out of their desire to provide assistance towards economic development within East Africa . They felt that much of the consultancy and research work was conducted without properly taking into account the local context. With all founders of EDI being Tanzanian residents this local perspective is given high priority. But EDI is also firmly embedded in a broader global context and actively pursues collaboration with reputed international scholars to contribute to the global knowledge base on strategies to combat poverty.

EDI currently employs over 75 members of staff and has a bank of over 200 associate consultants operating throughout Tanzania and internationally. EDI operates through two Tanzanian offices in Dar es Salaam and Bukoba (See Map).

EDI is headed by its two directors and operates through three core departments: Research; Consultancy; and Finance & Administration:

The Research Department is Tanzania's leading survey company. The quality of its rigorous and innovative fieldwork is unrivalled in Tanzania. It undertakes surveys on behalf of organisations such as the World Bank, Oxford University and the Government of Tanzania. In recent years EDI has been involved in a number of quantitative impact evaluations of important government programmes using randomised interventions. EDI's high-quality data are the preferred building blocks of policy analysts developing suitable policies and strategies to assist with poverty reduction.

EDI's Consultancy Department aims to contribute to economic and social development via the provision of services and solutions targeted at improving the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of organisational structures, systems and processes. Consultants work with International Development Organisations, Public Sector Institutions and Civil Society Organisations at all levels to assist them in identifying, planning, managing and monitoring the most appropriate and effective use of their resources in order to achieve goals that will satisfy their needs and that are aligned with the needs of the clients that they serve.

EDI's Finance and Administration Department is responsible for day to day company administration. In addition, EDI's support team have extensive experience in the coordination of all administrative, logistical and finance support for large scale consultancy and research projects from both Bukoba and Dar es Salaam offices. The Finance and Administration department is led by EDI's Operations Manager and includes Logistics Manager, Finance Manager, HR Administrator, Administrative Officers, IT Officers and Drivers.

EDI has well established policies and procedures relating to all areas of project management as well as day to day administration of company finance, human resources and logistics. A series of internal training and development programmes have also been developed for all employees that include induction courses relating to company policy and procedures, and specialist skills courses including interviewing techniques and concepts, data entry and quality control, as well as general skills courses covering areas such as project planning, IT and procurement. In addition EDI provides language training for staff interested in learning English or Kiswahili.

EDI's offices are equipped to handle major assignments with internet, facsimile and reprographic facilities. The Research Department facilities include anthropometric and other specialist field equipment including Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs), duplex scanners, balances, height boards, pedometers and GPS units, as well as standard equipment for field visits including tents, mattresses, cooking supplies. EDI also has a four wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles for use in the field.

EDI's client base in Tanzania includes, (not limited to), President's Office – Public Service Management, President's Office – Public Service Commission, Ministry of Health, Prime Minister's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government, Tanzania Social Action Fund, Local Government Authorities, World Bank, European Commission, DFID, Netherlands Embassy, DANIDA, NORAD, Ireland Aid, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, GTZ, The Foundation for Civil Society, Belgian Technical Cooperation, HIVOS, SNV, Rapid Funding Envelope for HIV/AIDS.