Empowering Communities, Strengthening Institutions, Since 2006
ÆDE is a Liberian organization promoting inclusive economic growth.
About ÆDE
Empowering Communities. Strengthening Institutions Since 2006
ÆDE is an indigenous Liberian development and consulting organization committed to advancing inclusive economic growth through institutional strengthening, market systems development, and community.
About us
ÆDE (Agency for Economic Development & Empowerment) is an indigenous Liberian development and consulting organization founded in 2006. Established during Liberia’s post-conflict recovery period, ÆDE began by supporting grassroots communities through income-generating initiatives and cooperative development.
Today, while remaining deeply committed to community empowerment, ÆDE has evolved into a trusted advisory partner to public institutions, private sector actors, development agencies, and local enterprises. We bridge grassroots realities with institutional strategy, delivering practical, evidence-based, and results-oriented solutions.
Our Mission
Strengthen institutions, build community capacity, and expand access to skills and economic opportunities through training, enterprise development, and partnerships.
Our Vission
A Liberia where capable institutions, skilled individuals, and empowered communities contribute to inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development.
About us
ÆDE (Agency for Economic Development & Empowerment) is an indigenous Liberian development and consulting organization founded in 2006. Established during Liberia’s post-conflict recovery period, ÆDE began by supporting grassroots communities through income-generating initiatives and cooperative development.
Today, while remaining deeply committed to community empowerment, ÆDE has evolved into a trusted advisory partner to public institutions, private sector actors, development agencies, and local enterprises. We bridge grassroots realities with institutional strategy, delivering practical, evidence-based, and results-oriented solutions.
Our Mission
Strengthen institutions, build community capacity, and expand access to skills and economic opportunities through training, enterprise development, and partnerships.
Our Vision
A Liberia where capable institutions, skilled individuals, and empowered communities contribute to inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development.
Our Philosophy
We believe lasting development comes from building capacity, not dependency.
ÆDE combines grassroots participation with institutional strengthening to ensure that development interventions are locally grounded, technically sound, and sustainable beyond project cycles. By aligning community priorities with policy frameworks and market systems, we help translate opportunity into long-term impact.
Our Philosophy
We believe lasting development comes from building capacity, not dependency.
ÆDE combines grassroots participation with institutional strengthening to ensure that development interventions are locally grounded, technically sound, and sustainable beyond project cycles. By aligning community priorities with policy frameworks and market systems, we help translate opportunity into long-term impact.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in meaningful participation, evidence-based decision-making, and strong partnerships. We work closely with communities, institutions, and development partners to ensure our programmes are locally informed, inclusive, and responsive to real needs. Guided by data, research, and continuous learning, we adapt our strategies to improve performance and achieve measurable results. We prioritise capacity-building, institutional ownership, and systems strengthening to promote resilience and ensure sustainable impact beyond project cycles. Throughout our work, we uphold high standards of accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Participatory and Context-Driven
- We implement responsive, community-driven programs.
Evidence-Informed and Adaptive
- Our work is guided by data and research to improve outcomes.
Partnership-Driven
- We build partnerships to deliver sustainable results.
Capacity-Building and Results-Oriented
- We prioritise long‑term impact and institutional ownership.
Accountability and Transparency-Focused
- We uphold accountability through clear reporting and measurable results.
Systems Strengthening
- We design interventions that strengthen local systems and ensure sustainable impact.
Our Approach
Our approach is rooted in meaningful participation, evidence-based decision-making, and strong partnerships. We work closely with communities, institutions, and development partners to ensure our programmes are locally informed, inclusive, and responsive to real needs. Guided by data, research, and continuous learning, we adapt our strategies to improve performance and achieve measurable results. We prioritise capacity-building, institutional ownership, and systems strengthening to promote resilience and ensure sustainable impact beyond project cycles. Throughout our work, we uphold high standards of accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Our approach is rooted in meaningful participation, evidence-based decision-making, and strong partnerships. We work closely with communities, institutions, and development partners to ensure our programmes are locally informed, inclusive, and responsive to real needs.
Guided by data, research, and continuous learning, we adapt our strategies to improve performance and achieve measurable results. We prioritise capacity-building, institutional ownership, and systems strengthening to promote resilience and ensure sustainable impact beyond project cycles. Throughout our work, we uphold high standards of accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Participatory and Context-Driven
We implement responsive, community-driven programs.
Evidence-Informed and Adaptive
Our work is guided by data and research to improve outcomes.
Partnership-Driven
We build partnerships to deliver sustainable results.
Participatory and Context-Driven
We implement responsive, community-driven programs.
Evidence-Informed and Adaptive
Our work is guided by data and research to improve outcomes.
Partnership-Driven
We build partnerships to deliver sustainable results.
Capacity-Building and Results-Oriented
We prioritise long‑term impact and institutional ownership.
Accountability and Transparency-Focused
We uphold accountability through clear reporting and measurable results.
Systems Strengthening
We design interventions that strengthen local systems and ensure sustainable impact.
Capacity-Building and Results-Oriented
We prioritise long‑term impact and institutional ownership.
Accountability and Transparency-Focused
We uphold accountability through clear reporting and measurable results.
Systems Strengthening
We design interventions that strengthen local systems and ensure sustainable impact.
Our Impact & Current Engagements
For nearly two decades, ÆDE has delivered practical, data-driven solutions that bridge grassroots empowerment and institutional strengthening.
Ongoing Engagements
Business Development Services to MSMEs under STAR-P
Institutional Advisory & Feasibility Studies
Market & Demand Assessments
Governance & Strategic Planning Support
Our Impact in Numbers
Including the World Bank, IFC, USAID, EU, UNDP, FAO, ILO, and Government Ministries
Supported through business development and market systems strengthening
Our Impact in Numbers
Including the World Bank, IFC, USAID, EU, UNDP, FAO, ILO, and Government Ministries
Supported through business development and market systems strengthening
Our Impact in Numbers
Including the World Bank, IFC, USAID, EU, UNDP, FAO, ILO, and Government Ministries
Supported through business development and market systems strengthening
Multi-Sector Engagement
Agriculture, Finance, Governance. Infrastructure, Private Sector Development
Our Clients & Partners
ÆDE has worked with national ( numerous community-based organizations and cooperatives) and international partners, including:
African Development Bank
World Bank
UNDP
UNMIL
UNECA
International Labour Organization
USAID
European Commission
Meet Our Board Members

Samuel W. Thompson
Executive Director

Esther W. Paegar
Deputy Executive Director

Patrick Alix
XXX XXXXXXX

John Brownell
XXX XXXXXXX

Ms. Elsie Dossen Badio
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What We Do
ÆDE designs and implements programs that respond to institutional, economic, and community development needs. Its work focuses on practical solutions that strengthen capacity, improve livelihoods, and support inclusive economic participation.
Institutional Strengthening
Enhancing the capacity of public and private institutions through governance support, systems development, and performance improvement.
Skills Development & Training
Delivering market-relevant technical, vocational, and professional training to improve employability and productivity.
Enterprise Development
Supporting MSMEs with business development services, entrepreneurship training, and growth-oriented advisory support.
Advisory & Technical Support
ÆDE provides advisory and technical support services to public, private, and community-based institutions to support policy implementation, program design, and operational effectiveness.
Gender & Social Inclusion
ÆDE advances gender equality and inclusion in all its programs to ensure equitable access to skills and opportunities.
Community-Based Development
ÆDE works with communities to support participatory approaches that encourage local ownership, inclusion, and sustainable outcomes.
Agriculture & Food Security
ÆDE supports agriculture and food security initiatives that strengthen livelihoods, improve productivity, and enhance household and community resilience.
From community cooperatives to national institutions, ÆDE remains committed to advancing inclusive economic development in Liberia ensuring that opportunity, resilience, and institutional strength grow together.
Connect With Us
For partnerships, institutional advisory, or general inquiries, our team is ready to assist you.
Phone
Address
17th Street, Monrovia, Liberia, Behind Stop & Shop
Address
Monday — Friday 9:00am – 5pm
Saturday — Closed
