The Political Economy and Policy Analysis (PEPA) simulation tool

28 August 2025. The Political Economy and Policy Analysis (PEPA) simulation tool utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) functions to identify the appropriate analytical framework for addressing priority policy questions and integrating different stakeholder viewpoints

PEPA, was developed under the CGIAR National Policies and Strategies programs, which has now become part of the new Policy Innovations Program.

• Recording: https://on.cgiar.org/3JvrnBm
• Password: y1Z7%&

Jonathan Mockshell, Senior Agricultural Economist, at the Alliance Biodiversity and CIAT, where he leads a team focused on agri-food systems and agroecological transitions. To generate insights for implementation, Jonathan utilizes a wide variety of tools, including political economy analysis, process evaluation, cost-effective analysis, and impact evaluations. He's worked in projects in many different countries, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Vietnam, Ghana, Colombia, and Peru.

PEPA plays a very solid role in that it leverages artificial intelligence to generate rapid insights on institutional governance and political economy drivers for informing agri-food systems policy decisions.

Example

Why do we have a prevalence of ultra-processed food in different countries, and what can be done about it? Could taxes or regulations help to reduce Access to ultra-processed food?

• Based on this question, it is possible to use AI to synthesize the results and structure it based on the type of output we want to have.
• If we want the output to be a report, we are able to synthesize that based on the different structure that a report should take.
• It gives you a title, it gives you an abstract, it gives you an introduction, it gives you a background, and then breaks down the different elements of the policies that are important for reducing the prevalence of ultra-processed food in a specific country.
• Within just about 8 different clicks, one is able to come out with an output.