James Ochieng Babu is a Kenyan national with an extensive background in research and public policy. He is currently the Programme Manager, Research and Policy Uptake, leading research activities and providing programmatic and technical direction to the Research and Policy Unit at PASGR. James previously served as a researcher and Principal Policy Analyst at the Macroeconomics Department of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). At KIPPRA, he was actively engaged in macroeconomic modelling and forecasting initiatives, leading the technical team responsible for preparing the annual Kenya Economic Report and conducting public policy research. He is experienced in program management and impact evaluation. James represented KIPPRA in several National Government task forces focusing on revenue mobilization, environmental incentives, and climate finance strategy.
James has previously held academic positions at Egerton University, the University of Nairobi, and Laikipia University. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, under the Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP). He earned his Master’s degree in Economics and his Bachelor in Mathematics and Economics (First Class Honours) from Egerton University, Kenya. James has made significant contributions to the field of economics, with publications focusing on macroeconomics, international trade, and public finance. His research interests include but not limited to macroeconomics, inclusive growth, international trade, climate change and infrastructure development.