From October 13-15, 2025, IPA's Embedded Evidence Labs program co-hosted the 5th Cross-Country Learning Exchange (CCLE) in Nairobi, Kenya. This event brought together government partners, education policymakers, researchers, funders, and EdLabs teams from across the globe for a three-day conference focused on advancing the use of evidence in education policy.

This CCLE marked an important moment in which many governments are seeking more effective ways to improve learning outcomes based on cutting-edge data and evidence. In response to this need, the CCLE conference provided EdLab teams with new and updated tools and strategies to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making within Ministries of education. The event also offered EdLabs a forum to exchange insights, share experiences from their Ministries, and collaboratively develop solutions to shared challenges. These peer-to-peer sessions were designed to empower EdLabs with technical approaches and practical knowledge to navigate institutional and operational hurdles in applying evidence to policy.

Key highlights of the Nairobi CCLE included:

• Hands-on workshops on how to use monitoring and evaluation tools to empower decision makers within education ministries
• Case studies from EdLabs across IPA’s portfolio demonstrating real-world challenges and solutions
• Sharing of new research in the education sector and on the implementation of Lab approaches
• Opportunities to connect with leading researchers, practitioners, and funders in the education policy space

To amplify the learnings beyond the event itself, IPA will publish highlights, session summaries, and insights from participants on the IPA blog following the conference.

The CCLE is part of IPA’s broader commitment to building government capacity and embedding data and evidence into everyday decision-making processes. The Embedded Evidence Lab program currently partners with government agencies in over a dozen countries and sectors, including education, social protection, and financial inclusion. 

For more information on the Embedded Evidence Labs program, visit our Embedded Labs webpage.