Lusaka, Zambia  ·  United States Est. 2011
The Institute of Research and Analysis

Analytical solutions to drive policy and extract value.

A trusted advisor to governments, donors, and institutions across Africa and beyond — delivering rigorous research, predictive analytics, and evidence-based strategy since 2011.

15+
Years of Practice
8
Areas of Expertise
2
Global Offices
Strategic Partners
About TIRA

A data-driven partner for governments and institutions.

TIRA is a data analytics consulting firm that leverages from our technology partners and relationships to ensure that our clients receive the best services and solutions to meet and exceed their needs. The Institute of Research and Analysis (TIRA) was established in 2011 with offices in Lusaka, Zambia and the United States.

We help our clients succeed by providing analytical solutions to drive policy and extract value. Our clients include governments, donors, cooperating partners, and non-governmental organizations. TIRA has strategic partnerships around the globe that support delivering impacting results in public policy advisory, research analyses, and robust communication strategies.

By leveraging our technology partners and relationships, we provide our clients with cutting-edge solutions and unmatched support. With access to the latest technological advancements and collaboration with industry leaders, we deliver the highest level of service and customized solutions tailored to specific needs — staying at the forefront of the industry and consistently exceeding our clients' expectations.

Strategic policy advisory in session
2011
Established · Lusaka · United States
Our Solutions

Eight disciplines, one evidence-based approach.

TIRA solutions enable governments, clients, and organizations to make data-driven decisions, coupled with evidence-based outcomes. Below are the broad areas of expertise and service that TIRA has delivered for its clients.

01

Economic Productivity

Diversification strategy, debt restructuring, budget analytics and reform legislation.

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02

Blue Economy

Public policy formulation, trade facilitation, ocean monitoring and coastal protection.

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03

Governance

Gender equality, human rights, extractive industry transparency and reclamation policy.

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04

Third-Party Expertise

Independent evaluation, financial review and stakeholder communication.

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05

Public Health

Evidence-based reforms, sensitization strategy and predictive burden analytics.

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06

Agriculture

Food security assessments, supply-demand modeling and crop output maximization.

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07

Data & Predictive Analytics

Instrument design, data collection, modeling and interpretation across sectors.

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08

Communication

Evidence-based strategies, infographics, podcasts and press release support.

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Output Solutions

Where rigorous analysis meets measurable impact.

TIRA has provided solutions across all sectors of the economy. Below are examples of output solutions that have resulted in repeat engagements with our clients.

01 Economic Productivity

  • Economic diversification strategy and reform legislation
  • Ministry of Finance debt consolidation and restructuring reports
  • Central Bank analytics and communication support
  • Monitoring and evaluation reporting
  • Budget analytics support, budget effectiveness, budget forecasting and predictive analytics
  • Legislative planning — linking vocational training to industrialization policies and budget allocations
  • Budget impact — socioeconomic assessment reporting
  • Communication outputs to support resource allocation
  • Tourism strategy to maximize jobs and sustain the environment

02 Blue Economy

  • Blue economy public policy formulation and advisory
  • Monitoring and evaluation framework
  • Trade facilitation and trade strategy
  • Job creation and training strategy
  • Ocean monitoring, surveillance and safety plans
  • Coastal habitat protection and restoration
  • Border and port policy advisory toward significant economic gains
  • Water policy and renewable energy

03 Governance

  • Gender equality reporting
  • Human rights assessment reporting
  • Mining and environmental pollution and reclamation
  • Water management and protection policy
  • Extractive industry trade reporting and tax royalty payment reports

04 Third-Party Expertise

After the implementation of projects, programs or budgets, independent third-party expertise provides accuracy of reporting, independence and communication outputs for stakeholder management.

  • Industry expertise to evaluate and assess the long-term effectiveness of a project
  • Third-party review of reporting accuracy and financial review
  • Assisting with external communications for stakeholder management
  • Supporting statutory bodies (such as the public accounts committee) using the Auditor General Report
  • Support donor programs — e.g. social cash transfer programs — ensuring value for money and robust monitoring and evaluation to capture and communicate the multiplier effect in the community

05 Health

  • Evidence-based policy reforms in areas such as research (clinical trials and national health insurance)
  • Public sensitization communication strategy and support — infographics and sensitization of topics to educate citizens in critical public health issues across multiple languages
  • Public health burden predictive analytics and correlational analysis to determine expected outcomes, preventative measures and medicinal requirements

06 Agriculture

  • Food security assessment reports
  • Annual food balance reports
  • Regional supply demand reports and impact to food balance
  • Maximizing crop output — data staking, multidimensional data and analytics to determine maximum output per crop and subsidy programs
  • Use of statistical tools such as predictive modeling, data visualization, decision analytics, machine learning, sensor networks and spatial analytics

07 Data & Predictive Analytics

Our data analytics expertise includes instrument design, data collection plan and collection, data analysis and reporting, and data interpretation. Our predictive analytics products enable governments to preempt anticipated issues across all sectors of the economy — defence, food security, healthcare, education, safety and security and service delivery.

  • Voting outcomes
  • Food security
  • Central Bank effectiveness
  • Budget

08 Communication

Evidence-based, data-driven communication leverages assets from a variety of database platforms to deliver timely, responsive, and highly personalized messages across multiple channels.

  • Communication strategies
  • Infographics
  • Podcasts
  • Press releases
Leadership

Experienced. Multilingual. Globally connected.

Our approach leverages extraordinary skill and expertise; we bring the best people together to deliver practical solutions, structured to enhance interaction and rigor.

Michelle Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Steinberg

World Bank Group Consultant · Public Policy & Quantitative Methods

With over 15 years of professional experience in public policy advisory and 25 years in finance, Michelle is a highly motivated leader with a strong background in public policy, quantitative methods, and project management — combined with extensive experience in the financial industry. A World Bank Group consultant, she is talented in leading and developing teams to accomplish strategy-critical goals.

Under a Presidential appointment and MOU with the Government of Zambia, she ran a public policy think tank — which she founded — providing public policy support to Cabinet Office and the Office of the Vice President. She is skilled in identifying problems and recommending practical solutions, and possesses the ability to effectively communicate technical and complex issues. She brings an excellent background working with international institutions and businesses, and is multilingual.

Board of Advisors

Counsel from diverse disciplines.

The role of the TIRA Advisory Board is to provide counsel, advice, and support to the business and leadership. Through this voluntarily appointed support, the organization gains new insights and advice to solve problems or explore new opportunities — providing current knowledge, critical thinking and analysis. This diverse and experienced Board complements the strengths and expertise of the organization and provides broader management knowledge.

AC

Col. Andre Ciseau

Chair
SK

Hon. Dr. Sebastian Kopulande

YD

Mr. Yusuf Dodia

ES

Dr. Emmanuel Sikali

The TIRA team collaborating on policy research
The Team

Practical solutions delivered by exceptional people.

Our approach leverages extraordinary skill and expertise; we bring the best people together to deliver practical solutions, structuring our teams to enhance interaction. We blend efficient project management capabilities with a commitment to client services and rigorous quantitative analysis. Our clients benefit from our wealth of strategic partnerships — close ties with leading experts from academia, technology, media and other industries ensure that client solutions are innovative and results-oriented.

Insights & Publications

Our work, in the public conversation.

Selected video commentary, written analysis, and infographics produced by TIRA on the issues shaping policy and markets across Africa.

01
Is the Bank of Zambia's recent Policy Rate cut sufficient to stimulate economic activity?
02
Where to invest in Sub-Saharan Africa?
03
Understanding Zambia's Debt Profile
04
Zambia's energy tariff increase, private sector participation and access to electricity
05
Government of Zambia — Annual Treasury Bill and Bond Payment Comparison: Yellow Book 2012 vs. 2019
06
African Countries Benefiting from IMF Emergency Financing Programs to Combat Coronavirus
07
Internet Wars
08
Know Your African Exchanges (KYAE)
09
Forecasting the Kenyan 2017 General Election Outcome
10
Cholera and Governance — is there a correlation?
11
Healthcare Companies: the importance of including demographic analytics in business strategy
12
Investing in the development of a skilled Zambian workforce
01

Zambian Elections 2022

02

Africa Covid Vaccination Rate

03

The Zambian Central Statistical Office (CSO) Report

Featured Publication

Africa in 50 Years — A Discussion Document

This discussion document examines the role of leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa vis-à-vis tribalism, exploring its historical and current impact on election outcomes and voting patterns across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Using a proposed model with tribalism as the pivotal variable, it investigates the role of tribalism in elected state governments and concludes by proposing a predictive model — extrapolating the relationship between tribalism and other factors and their interconnectivity toward projecting the future of Sub-Saharan Africa and its impact on the region.

Contact

Get in touch with the TIRA team.

Reach the right team directly, or send a project brief through the form. We respond to every enquiry.

Office of the CEOExecutive enquiries
michelle.steinberg@tirasolutions.org →
Advisory BoardStrategic engagements
theboard@tirasolutions.org →
Research TeamStudies & analysis
research@tirasolutions.org →
CommunicationsMedia & press
communications@tirasolutions.org →
General EnquiriesEverything else
info@tirasolutions.org →
Headquarters
Lusaka
Zambia
Office
United States
North America

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