Aries Consult Ltd. is proud to announce a historic milestone: our Africa Research Network has grown to include over 20,000 field staff across 49 countries. This achievement reflects our commitment to enhancing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacities for organisations working in the development sector. From grassroots data collection to high-level analysis, our network empowers organisations with local expertise and contextual insights to drive meaningful change.
The Africa Research Network that manages our field network was conceived as a service for the development community. It is rooted in a simple yet profound principle: Your data, your research, your ideas, your methods, your concepts, your principles… our field people. This collaboration enables organisations to focus on their research goals while leveraging our expansive network of independent, verified field staff.
With 20,074 members, including 5,586 women, our network offers unmatched coverage and diversity. Aries Consult Ltd. understands that true inclusivity and representation are vital for accurate and meaningful research. By ensuring that 30% of our field staff are women, we are actively promoting diversity while striving to achieve a target of 50% female participation.
Organisations often prefer to manage their research in-house, but fieldwork presents challenges: securing local experts who speak the language, understand cultural nuances, and have the necessary skills. That’s where Aries Consult Ltd. steps in.
We recruit and train local enumerators who conduct surveys, organise focus group discussions, and carry out interviews. These individuals are not only skilled but also deeply connected to their communities, ensuring that the data collected is both authentic and reliable.
Our emphasis on inclusivity, equity, and quality ensures that our field staff are equipped to support projects ranging from small-scale studies to continent-wide evaluations. Whether in urban centres or remote regions, our network delivers results tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Aries Consult Ltd.’s network stands as a vibrant reflection of Africa’s rich diversity. With more than 20,000 field staff spread across 49 nations, our team embodies a wide array of experiences, expertise, and backgrounds, making it uniquely equipped to address the diverse challenges faced by the development sector.
In terms of gender representation, our network includes 14,446 men (72%) and 5,586 women (28%). While proud of this achievement, we remain committed to fostering greater gender balance, striving toward a future where women constitute at least 50% of our workforce. Age-wise, the majority of our staff fall within the 18 to 45 age bracket, with 40% aged between 18 and 30 years and 55% between 31 and 45 years. This blend of youth and seasoned experience ensures a dynamic and adaptable team ready to tackle the complexities of any project.
Our network is also distinguished by its educational diversity. A significant proportion, 61%, hold a bachelor’s degree, while 18% have attained master’s degrees, and 2% have earned doctorates. These qualifications equip Aries Consult Ltd. to meet the demands of specialised research and high-quality data collection. Our team’s robust academic foundation is further complemented by practical field experience, enabling us to deliver actionable insights to our clients.
Linguistic diversity is another hallmark of our network. English is spoken by 75.4% of our staff, while French is the language of communication for 53.9%. Swahili, widely used across East and Central Africa, is spoken by 28.2%, while 11.8% of our team are proficient in Arabic. Portuguese speakers make up 2% of our network, ensuring representation in Lusophone Africa. This multilingual capability allows us to seamlessly engage with communities and stakeholders across the continent, ensuring culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate research.
Geographically, Aries Consult Ltd. has established a formidable presence across Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leads with 4,756 field staff, followed by Malawi with 1,554 and Mali with 1,541. Other strongholds include Kenya (910) and Uganda (804), with staff positioned across urban centres and rural regions alike. This extensive reach enables us to provide localised support and insights, ensuring that our clients’ research goals are met with precision and relevance.
From the Sahel to Southern Africa, Aries Consult Ltd. continues to expand its footprint, driven by the belief that impactful development begins with quality, contextually grounded research. Our network’s growth is not just a testament to our success but also a reflection of the collaborative spirit of the development community we serve. Together, we are shaping a future where data-driven insights lead to lasting change.
Aries Consult Ltd. believes that a diverse workforce brings unique perspectives, experiences, and skills essential for impactful research. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the contributions of all our field staff, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.
Our pledge includes:
Our commitment to quality extends beyond recruitment. Field staff undergo rigorous training to ensure they meet the highest standards of data collection and ethical research, equipping local staff with the tools and knowledge to conduct impactful research in one of Africa’s most challenging environments.
These investments in capacity building not only benefit our clients but also empower our field staff, fostering professional growth and community development.
As Aries Consult Ltd. celebrates this milestone, we remain focused on growth and innovation. The Africa Research Network is not static—it is a living, evolving entity designed to meet the changing needs of the development sector.
We invite organisations to explore our newest venture, the Africa Research Network, and discover how our field staff can support your research objectives. Whether you need data from remote regions, multilingual enumerators, or experts with specialised skills, our network is ready to deliver.
Surpassing the 20,000 field staff milestone is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Aries Consult Ltd. and the development community we serve. Together, we are proving that locally grounded, high-quality research can drive meaningful change across Africa.
We are not just celebrating a number; we are celebrating a vision—one where diversity, inclusivity, and local expertise come together to transform monitoring and evaluation.
To learn more about how the Africa Research Network can enhance your organization’s capacity, visit Aries Consult Ltd.. Let’s continue to do great things, together.