The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is proud to be a key knowledge partner at the inaugural Evidence for Development (Evi4Dev) Conference, taking place from May 6–8, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, Nairobi, Kenya. Themed “Optimising the Role of Data, Evidence, and Innovations in Africa’s Efforts to Create Wealth, Empower Citizens, and Foster Responsive Governance”, this pivotal biennial gathering brings together Africa’s leading minds to chart a path forward through science, technology, and innovation (STI).
ACTS will convene and participate in strategic sessions across the three-day event, each designed to address Africa’s development priorities through the lens of research, policy, and practical innovation. Below is a snapshot of ACTS-led engagements that will shape the conference narrative:
1. Plenary Session: The Status of Innovation in Africa and Progress Towards Agenda 2063
🗓 6 May 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
In partnership with AUDA-NEPAD, ACTS co-organizes this high-level plenary examining Africa’s innovation trajectory in the context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Featuring regional innovation leaders, the session will unpack the state of STI systems, discuss policy harmonization, and highlight strategic pathways to enhance innovation-led development.
Panelists
- Prof. Philippe K. Mawoko, Former Executive Secretary, African Observatory for Science, Technology and Innovation (AOSTI), Congo
- Prof. Almamy Konte, Former Executive Director of the African observatory of STI (AOSTI) in Malabo, Senegal
- Dr. Roselida Owour, Director of Research Development, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Prof. Tom Ogada, Executive Director, ACTS, Kenya
- Prof. Walter Oyawa, Director General, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kenya
- Dr. Martin Ongol, Ag. Executive Secretary, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, Uganda
Moderator: Dr. Ann Kingiri, Director of Research and Innovation, ACTS, Kenya
2. Side Session: AI in Africa – Balancing Breakthroughs and Risks
🗓 6 May 2025, 2:00 – 3:15 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
As AI continues to disrupt global systems, ACTS leads a vital conversation on how African countries can harness its benefits while managing inherent risks. This session explores the ethical, regulatory, and workforce implications of AI on a continent rich with innovation and youth potential. Experts from academia, policy, and civil society will share insights into navigating Africa’s AI future responsibly.
Panelists/Guest Speakers
- Hon. John Kiarie – Dagoretti South Member of Parliament | Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation.
- Prof. Tom Migun Ogada – Executive Director, African Centre for Technology Studies
- Dr. George Musumba – Dean, School of Computer Science and Information Technology and Senior Lecturer | Thematic Leader in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology
- Dr. Lawrence Nderu – Chairman, Dept. of Computing – JKUAT | Founder, JHUB Africa
- Florence Anyango Ogonjo – Tech Policy Researcher, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya | Research Fellow for the AI Policy Center at the Center for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) at Strathmore University
- Brian Omwenga – Community Of Practice
- Dr. Winston Ojenge – Senior Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology Studies
- Grace Leah Okundi – Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology Studies
3. Session Title: Wealth Creation
Presentation: Evidence for informing optimization and scaling of youth and women led clean energy enterprises and business models in Kenya
🗓 6 May 2025, 2:00 – 3:15 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
In this session, ACTS highlights evidence from clean energy projects led by youth and women in Kenya, offering scalable business models that contribute to local economic empowerment and climate resilience. Dr. Ann Kingiri, Director of Research and Innovation at ACTS, presents key findings and implications for national energy and enterprise policy.
4. Session Title: Food Production
Presentation: A data-driven approach in sustainable cold chain innovation for food loss reduction
🗓 6 May 2025, 2:00 – 3:15 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
In this session, ACTS presents innovative, data-driven solutions to one of Africa’s most persistent agricultural challenges: post-harvest food loss. Daniel Musyoka, Research Fellow at ACTS, showcases how sustainable cold chain technologies can be optimized through data insights to preserve perishable produce, improve food security, and support value chain efficiency. The session will offer actionable strategies for integrating cold chain innovations into smallholder systems and national food policies.
4. Side Session: Commercialization of Research and Innovations through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
🗓 7 May 2025, 7:15 – 8:45 AM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
African research often fails to reach commercial markets. This session explores how Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can unlock the latent value of research by aligning public institutional capacity with private sector agility. With insights from IDRC, KeNIA, UNCST, and Neu-Ulm University, the discussion will outline practical strategies to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystems.
Panelists/Guest Speakers
- Prof. Tom Migun Ogada, Executive Director, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Dr. Tonny Omwansa – CEO, Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)
- Ms. Clarisse Mideva, Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Ms. Agnes Tsuma, Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA)
- Dr. Agnes Lutomiah, Head STIKS Programme, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Mr. Alfred Oduor, Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Dr. Ellie Osir, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
- Prof. Almamy Konte, Former Executive Director of the African observatory of STI (AOSTI) in Malabo, Senegal
- Dr. Martin Ongol, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST)
- Dr. Nicholas Odongo, Deputy Head STIKS Programme, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
5. Side Session: Harnessing Evidence for an Inclusive Green and Digital Future of Work in Africa
🗓 7 May 2025, 3:45 – 5:00 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency, Nairobi
As Africa embraces green and digital transitions, ACTS leads a session addressing the risks of exclusion and inequality. Drawing on research from the Green and Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH)—supported by GIZ—panelists will present data-driven insights on creating inclusive job opportunities, especially for youth, women, and the informal workforce, within the continent’s evolving economic landscape.
Panelists/Guest Speakers
- Dr. Julius Gatune – Maastricht School of Management – Guest Speaker
- Katharina Mengede – Head of Digital Economy, GIZ
- Kudzai M. Mubaiwa – Green and Digital Transition Advisor, GIZ
- Dr. Caroline Mbaya, Head GYID Programme, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Dr. Eunice Omwoyo, Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
- Rebecca Muiruri, gDIH Innovator
Stay connected with us during the conference via www.acts-net.org and follow updates on social media through #Evi4Dev2025.
