About ACTS
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a non-profit and non-partisan Inter-governmental think-tank, whose core mandate is to pursue policy-oriented research to strengthen the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science, technology and innovation (STI) for sustainable development.
Founded in 1988 by the renowned African scientist and scholar, the late Prof. Calestous Juma, the Centre is mandated to undertake capacity building, conduct research, provide advisory services and disseminate information on the policy aspects of the application of STI for sustainable development in Africa.
Vision
Knowledge for better livelihoods
Mission
To strengthen the capacity and policies of African countries and institutions to harness science, technology and innovation
Goal
To position ACTS as a think tank of choice for policy research in the application of STI in strategic thematic areas including climate change, energy, digital innovation, agriculture and food security; inclusive innovation- through quality research, policy analysis, dialogue, capacity building and outreach.
Value Proposition
- Conduct high quality research, policy analysis, capacity building and outreach on the application of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development.
- Facilitate and convene evidence-based policy dialogue and debates.
- Inform, influence and enhance development theory, policy and practice.
- Put critical issues of science, technology and innovation on the development agenda, with special focus on agriculture, food and nutrition security, climate change and energy.
- Provide independent and objective policy advice to African governments and institutions, regional economic communities, private sector, civil society and put issues critical to Africa’s development on global, regional and national agenda.
- Broker and leverage STI research, knowledge and expertise for development policy and practice in Africa.
A Brief History
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development. ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology and innovation.
Article 3 of the Charter of ACTS, empowers the Organization to undertake capacity building, conduct research, provide advisory services and disseminate information on the policy aspects of the application of science and technology to sustainable development in Africa. It also requires ACTS to:
- Promote capacity building in the developing countries in the field of policy analysis related to sustainable development.
- Monitor international trends in science and technology, undertake technology assessment and forecasting and analyze the impacts of new technologies for purposes of providing policy options to African and other developing country governments.
- Promote, enhance, inspire, study and conduct the building of the institutional framework requisite for the management, assessment, sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources.
- Foster the exchange of information and networking between the Centre and other governmental and private institutions and individuals that have similar or related interests at the local, national, regional and international levels, with particular emphasis on policy matters.
- Promote, encourage, inspire and undertake technical cooperation activities between and within nations.
Since its founding, ACTS has been instrumental in enlarging the range of policy choices for sustainable development in Africa. Over the last quarter century, ACTS’ work has influenced patent (i.e. industrial property) legislation and policy (Kenya); environmental impact assessment standards (Eastern and Southern Africa); bio-energy and biofuels policy (Kenya, Eastern Africa, West Africa); agricultural policy, bio-diplomacy, biotechnology and biosafety (Africa-wide); climate change adaptation and mitigation (Africa-wide).
ACTS remains among the leading institutions working on sustainable development in Africa. In 2013, it was rated amongst the top Environment Think Tanks in Africa and the world. ACTS is also a past winner (1991) of the Justinian Rweyemamu Prize from CODESRIA (Africa’s Social Science Research Council) for its work in expanding the knowledge base for Africa’s development.
