By Prof. Michael Lofchie, Department of Political Science, UCLA A vehicle for progressive change or more of the same? History offers sobering lessons for those concerned with the prospects of broad based development in Africa. Entrenched political oligarchies do not willingly surrender…
By Dr. Joanes Atela, ACTS Unpacking Public Private Partnership (PPP) Public-private partnership (PPP) has become a central driver of climate change actions- both in negotiations and implementation. Whether on clean energy, sustainable forest management or even climate smart agriculture, PPP…
By Winnie Khaemba, ACTS Context ‘You have been negotiating all my life’ lamented a Youth NGO’s Constituency (YOUNGO) representative while making an intervention at a UNFCCC COP 17 session in Durban, South Africa in 2011. Four years on, the world is…
By: Kennedy Liti Mbeva, ACTS Energy poverty is one of the major challenges holding back Africa’s transformation agenda, as clearly articulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063[1]. About 70% of the African population is not connected to the electricity grid, yet…
By Dr. Joanes Atela, ACTS Sustainable development Sustainable development (SD) remains a landmark policy and global development agenda since the 1992 Convention on Environment and Development. Anchored on the Brutland Commission report ‘Our Common Future’, sustainable development articulates the urge to…
By Dr. Cosmas Ochieng, former Executive Director, ACTS “In our world in which the generation of new knowledge and its application to change the human condition is the engine which moves human society further away from barbarism, do we not have…
Prof. Calestous Juma, who founded ACTS in 1988, has been honored with a Lifetime Excellence Award. He was among key visionaries who were honored for making significant contributions to the world of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as a tool…
The inaugural cold-chain foundation course was held on May 20th – 24th at ICIPE campus. The training program aimed to contribute to capacity strengthening on cold-chain logistics in the agri-food and health sectors. The course attracted participants from government agencies,…
Despite a wealth of data and insights from climate scientists, translating these findings into tangible steps remains a daunting challenge. Participants engage in a group discussions during the knowledge brokering workshop focusing on bridging the gap between climate research and…
The AFNS Programmes and Kiriita Dairy Cooperative hosted the farmers’ business forum in Lari Sub-County, Kiambu County on 14 May 2023. The event aimed to address critical challenges faced by local farmers. The discussions primarily focused on issues such as…
Participants of the stakeholder workshop held on March 19, 2024 at Maanzoni Lodge, Kenya. It attracted over 35 participants. Kenya has made significant strides in its renewable energy sector, with an estimated 88% of its grid mix in 2022 derived…
Four PhD students – One female and three male – have been selected to take part in this year’s AfricaLics Visiting Fellowship Programme (VFP). The successful candidates were selected from a pool of 84 applicants by a distinguished committee comprising…
The bootcamp was meant to enable Kenyan innovators to access Flat6Labs’ US$95 million Seed Fund. The fund aims to nurture the growth and development of early-stage tech startups in Africa. Participants of the Tech Startup Bootcamp hosted by the ACTS-led…
The ACTS-led Green and Digital Invocation Hub (gDIH) conducted training for MSMES to strengthen their capacity in environmental, social and governance (ESG) and carbon credits. Gender Youth and Inclusive Development (GYID) programme lead at ACTS, Dr Caroline Mbaya, presiding over…
ACTS, working closely with partners, is setting up an innovative technology in aquaculture that is expected to change fish and seaweed farming in Kenya’s Coast The Blue Empowerment project team join community members during the launch of the Integrated Multi-Trophic…
ACTS is at the centre of a pioneering sustainable cold-chain solution project that is set to exponentially increase income for smallholder farmers in Kiambu County, Kenya Poor infrastructure, lack of proper storage facilities and limited access to markets contribute to…
ACTS and partners in South Africa and Ghana are conducting a study to explore public policy interventions necessary to cement decent work and sustainable livelihoods, in the context of green energy transition, particularly for women and youth. Dr. Joel Onyango,…
How can we develop shared, future scenarios for a circular bioeconomy in Kenya’s dairy sector? And why is it important? A graphic artist illustrating future scenarios for a circular bioeconomy in Kenya’s dairy sector under the VALORISE project which aims…
By mainstreaming gender equality and inclusivity, this initiative not only seeks to drive scientific excellence but also foster equitable and inclusive growth across the continent. Africa holds immense potential for global scientific and technological advancements. However, unlocking this potential requires…
By encouraging participation from diverse stakeholders – academia, private sector, civil society and the general public – Science Granting Councils (SGCs) can tap into a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experiences, enriching the policy-making process. Heads of Science Granting Councils…
ACTS is at the forefront of generating and translating knowledge into action to spur sustainable development The late Prof. Calestous Juma, who founded ACTS in 1988, and a renowned Harvard University professor and champion of STI in Africa, succinctly encapsulates…
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have launched two new Model Quality and Performance Guidelines for Off-Grid Refrigerating Appliances and Model Regulation Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans These guidelines were launched on October 22, 2023…
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has won a competitive bid to establish and operate the Green Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH) in Kenya. While making the announcement on 30th June, 2023, the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre (GIZ-DTC-SKIIVE) team in…
ACTS is leading a consortium that aims to fabricate 500 low cost dryers over 5 years intended to reach over 40,000 smallholder farmers. Solar dryers can significantly reduce post-harvest losses by providing a low-cost, energy-efficient method for preserving crops, fruits,…
ACTS is coordinating publication of a new book on decolonising knowledge and learning systems in the Global South. This book will explore knowledge and learning systems and the current efforts to decolonize these systems in the Global South and beyond.…
The book covers research approaches used in major disciplines such as natural sciences, humanities, education and economics. A new book on research methods and scientific communication will soon roll of the ACTS Press. The book, Research Methods and Scientific Communication:…
As a research, policy and technology-oriented organization, Konza Technopolis provides an ideal location for ACTS to actualise its mission of strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science, technology and innovation for sustainable and inclusive development. Members…
ACTS is spearheading development of a new regional strategy on innovation and technology transfer for the East African Community (EAC). The strategy will guide the region to exploit existing opportunities within the innovation ecosystem and with a view to harnessing,…
ACTS is among three Kenyan organisations selected to implement the Trans-Path project on learning and management of water resources. The new project sets out to establish an international network of academics, postgraduate researchers, policy makers, activists, and water stewards for…
ACTS was represented by the Executive Director, Prof. Tom Ogada and the head of the Science, Technology & Innovation, Knowledge and Society (STIKS) programme, Dr Agnes Lutomiah. Ethiopia’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Dr Belete Molla (left) when they met…
A committee has already been constituted to coordinate the process of developing a curriculum and put in place the necessary structures to actualize the idea. The AI4D Africa Scholarship network has started the process of launching a new master’s degree…
ACTS in collaboration with the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) is promoting adoption of a relatively new agricultural technology – Agrivoltaics Agrivoltaics, also known as agrophotovoltaics, is a method of combining agriculture and solar energy production…
Multi-criteria mapping involves comparing and analyzing different options based on a set of pre-defined criteria, which could include cost, time, quality, risks, resources and stakeholder preferences. Participants of the multi-criteria mapping workshop under the Blue Empowerment project pose for a…
ACTS Executive Director, Prof. Tom Ogada, implored AI4D Africa scholars to focus on completion of their PhD studies and strive to generate new knowledge on AI and ML to address key socio-economic challenges facing the continent. The AI4D Africa Scholarship…
The conference provided a platform for early career researchers to develop their presentation and networking skills while building collaborative relationships with other researchers. The impact of COVID coupled with undesirable environmental and social effects – including climate change and excessive…
The 2023 cohort will get the opportunity to participate in a one-year fellowship programme combining online activities with a study period of 3 months at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Six PhD students – four female and two male…
The workshop was meant to provide an opportunity for the Science Granting Councils (SGC), collaborative technical agencies (CTAs) and relevant stakeholders to share experiences and lessons learnt from the activities of SGCI-2. ACTS and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology,…
The webinar series that commenced in June 2022 bring together a diverse pool of scholars from all over the world and culminated in a summer school held in Egerton University from 21st -27th October 2022 Decolonizing knowledge and learning systems…
Dr Joel Onyango, reflects on the trip that aimed to enhance partnerships and staff exchanges within the Africa UniNet network of research institutions and universities in Austria and Africa. By Dr Joel Onyango, Head of Climate Resilient Economies (CRE) programme,…
ACTS is at the centre of an initiative that seeks to strengthen the capacity for trans-disciplinary research in Africa. Under the umbrella of the Consortium for Trans-disciplinary Futures Research (CTFR), the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among the African universities,…
According to a recent survey conducted by ACTS, Eastern Africa is leading in the adoption and deployment of digital agricultural technologies in the continent. Findings of the survey, which sampled 34 producer organizations across 9 African countries, reveal that East…
ACTS has begun implementing a new programme to support Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in managing research and innovation projects in Africa. The three year programme aims to strengthen the capacities of SGCs to fund and manage research and innovation projects…
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) believes that research, capacity building and policy incentives are key drivers of knowledge creation, dissemination and application. Generating new knowledge, enhancing the skills of individuals and organizations, and creating a supportive policy environment…
The NGO source’s Equivalency Determination (ED) completed their analysis and was able to certify ACTS as equivalent to a Certified Public Charity. NGOsource’s Equivalency Determination (ED) on File “badge” means that ACTS has been determined by NGOsource to be equivalent…
ACTS will support the development of a cadre of Africa-centred researchers, analysts and policy makers on STI, knowledge and society, knowledge utilisation, technology transfer, intellectual property, STI roadmaps for SDGs and evaluation of the impact of STI on the development…
Policymakers in Africa will soon have a new framework to guide them in formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating policy interventions. The framework is expected to foster environmental sustainability, achieve more equitable income distribution and meet other social challenges, particularly for…
The building blocks of this strategy have already been laid out in form of a comprehensive mapping study that paves way for structured interventions intended to catalyse conversion of innovative ideas and start-ups into commercially viable enterprises. ACTS is working…
The 3rd Calestous Juma seminar focused on exploring how AI and ML solutions can be deployed to accelerate realization of SDGs in Africa. Africa risks lagging behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs if the continent does not embrace and…
The research initiative – Valorise – will focus on finding efficient ways through which organic wastes resulting from dairy production processes can easily be converted into useful products. A cross-section of participants during the Valorise project workshop held in Nairobi,…
ACTS is set to launch a new research project to explore novel ways of managing water resources in river basins and wetlands in Kenya. The project will focus on developing relevant knowledge and tools to solve water-related challenges and strengthen…
PhD students under the Vising Fellowship Programme (VFP) converged in Nairobi for a five-day workshop held from 22nd to 26th August 2022. The programme aims to assist African PhD students working in the field of innovation and development to improve…
The second cohort of 9 Artificial Intelligence for Development in Africa (AI4D Africa) scholarship programme are now on board. This brings the total number of scholars in the programme to 30, including 16 who joined in the first cohort. It…
The AfricaLics PhD Academy provides an opportunity for PhD students enrolled at African universities who work in the field of innovation and development studies to gain more knowledge of this burgeoning field, meet leading academics and receive feedback on their…
Partners have established regional e-cooking hubs in Nakuru, Kitui, Makueni, and Kisumu to catalyse electric cooking adoption through the local champions. ACTS is driving a new national strategy aimed at increasing the use of clean cooking methods to reduce over-reliance…
The IMTA technology involves building special cages along pre-identified areas of the ocean which will allow women to cultivate seaweed and also rear fish in the same system. Anew integrated agricultural technology is set to positively shift the economic dynamics…
The Centre is working closely with government agencies, development partners and the private sector to accelerate transition to inclusive sustainable and resilient cold-chains by tapping into clean energy options and refrigeration. Dr. Catherine Kilelu, ACTS’ head of Agriculture, Food and…
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is subtly shifting Africa’s research-policy-practice paradigm in science, technology and innovation (STI). This shift is characterised by re-designing policy frameworks related to STI, building the capacity of relevant actors and bridging the gap…
ACTS is set to unveil a new strategic plan for the period 2022-2026. This is the seventh strategic plan (2022-2026) which builds on the achievements and lessons learned from the sixth strategic plan (2019-2021). A mid-term evaluation of the sixth…
Traversing economic, agricultural and health sectors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions are redefining how we diagnose and solve common and pervasive challenges across the continent. A growing cadre of African scholars are increasingly tapping into the power of artificial intelligence…
ACTS, the national host of the Modern Cooking Services (MECS) in Kenya, has begun setting up regional clean cooking hubs in the country. The Kitui and Nakuru hubs have already been launched while those in Makueni and Kisumu will be…
ACTS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) to host the Visiting Fellowship Programme (VFP) under the AfricaLics project. The MoU was signed on 9th February 2022 at JOOUST main…
ACTS is part of a team implementing the first agrivoltaic system in East Africa, which is set to pioneer a unique agricultural concept that focuses on co-utilisation of land for agricultural production, solar energy and water harvesting. The concept has…
The project will profile and document gender responsive challenges and opportunities for commercial and sustainable adoption of fish-seaweeds for economic development of coastal fisher communities. ACTS is spearheading a new project that aims to empower women in Kenya’s coastal region…
The STIKS programme hosted two Master’s students, Ludvig Söderbom and Sanjidul Huda from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden . During the two months stay, the students worked closely with Dr.Ann Kingiri, Dr. Agnes Lutomiah and Mr. Josephat Okemwa in understanding…
The VFP fellowships offer opportunities for PhD and postdoctoral students from low income and low-middle income African countries. The programme will now receive additional training and capacity building support at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Kenya…
How can Science Granting Councils (SGCs) become more effective boundary managers through improved use of evidence and data? This was the focus of a workshop held on 7 – 10 March 2022) under the ACTS’ led Evi-Pol project. The workshop…
The World Bank has commissioned ACTS and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to conduct a baseline study on the cooling and cold chain sector in Kenya and Malawi. The baseline studies are primarily intended to provide country specific baseline…
The seminar provided an ideal platform for experts to share their work and expertise with special focus on science, technology and innovation and how they are aligned with SDGs. The 2nd Calestous Juma Seminar Series themed ‘Steering Science, Technology and…
ACTS has been commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to map out the innovation ecosystem in Kenya. Through its Accelerator Lab, UNDP is working with Konza Technopolis to support and scale up local innovations in Kenya. The two…
The initiative seeks to upscale fabrication of solar dyers and support solar drying as a service in Kenya. ACTS is part of a consortium awarded a grant to scale-up solar dryers to reduce post-harvest loses (PHL) in Kenya. The grant…
The digital economy is increasingly becoming a key driver in the global economy. It is projected that by 2026, it will account for 25% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from 15.5 % in 2016. Kenya is amongst…
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Seeding The Future Foundation announced 2021 winners for the inaugural Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge. This initiative inspires and supports innovative, diverse, and multidisciplinary teams to create game-changing innovations that will help…
Press Release – 15th November 2021 Renewable energy is increasingly becoming the new currency in the economy of sustainable industrialization. For this reason, understanding the key elements and dynamics underpinning development, deployment and utilization of green energy in developing countries…
A team of research experts from ACTS are part of a project working towards exploring alternative methods of pursuing knowledge with a view to making them more suited to wider application without necessarily losing on scientific rigor. ACTS is implementing…
ACTS is implementing a project on Multihazard Urban Disaster Risk Transitions that focuses on disaster risk management interventions and capacity building in Nairobi, Kenya. The project provides options for anchoring actions for climate change adaptation, while also contributing to mitigation…
Why Digital Economy? The world is on the edge of a technological revolution that will disrupt the way we live, work and socialize. A key aspect of this revolution is the digital economy, which covers all business, economic, social and…
The College will work closely with other networks to identify and implement joint projects, deliberate on emerging technologies and how they can be deployed to enhance productive capacities in different areas. ACTS established a College of Scholars on June 23,…
Creating a sustainable research culture in computer science targeting agriculture, health, finance and transport is a fundamental pillar towards making Kenya become a high middle income economy. For this reason, ACTS in collaboration with California Polytechnic State University, has been…
This 5 years Trilateral Chair program is being implemented by ACTS in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (South Africa) and the University of Sussex. The research program has the ambition to develop and test a new theoretical framework to…
ACTS has teamed up with training and research institutions to develop market-driven climate change training modules for different cadres and levels of education in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The other consortium partners include the…
The African Network on Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics) is a research and capacity building network with a Secretariat hosted by ACTS. The Network’s vision is to support African countries towards developing and utilizing high quality research, conducted…
A new book – Building Innovation Capabilities for Sustainable Industrialization: Renewable Electrification in Developing Economies – has been published. It is edited by Rasmus Lema, Margrethe Holm Andersen, Rebecca Hanlin and Charles Nzila. This book argues that renewable electrification in…
ACTS in collaboration with Birmingham and London Southern Bank University is implementing a community based cooling project to stem post-harvest losses in Kenya. The hubs will also be used to store animal and human vaccines. The project covers dairy farming…
ACTS, in collaboration with Loughborough University, has been implementing the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) project over the last one and half years. The project aims how to rapidly accelerate a transition from biomass to genuinely clean cooking. The MECS…
The Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) coordinated by ACTS started in 2015 and aims to strengthen the capacities of science granting councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa in order to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to the continent’s…
A seminar series on knowledge and innovation for development in honor of Prof. Juma, the founder of ACTS, was successfully launched on 12th August 2021. The inaugural seminar series, jointly organized by ACTS and the Calestous Juma Legacy Foundation (CJLF)…
A scholarship program to foster and nurture talent in responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in African public universities will be officially launched on Tuesday August 31st, 2021. The scholarship will be awarded to successful registered PhD students…
Science, Technology and innovation (STI) are considered the key cogs in the engine of sustainable socio-economic development. And for developing counties – especially in Africa – to fast-track and sustain industrialization – and accelerate socio-economic progress – more attention and…
We are pleased to announce the upcoming publication of Building Science Systems by Dr. Rebecca Hanlin and Dr. Aschalew Tigabu with colleagues as part of SGCI Africa. The book argues that African governments are at a turning point with science…
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office for Eastern Africa, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) recognise that the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development…
African scholars have been urged to embrace innovation and transformative thinking in pursuing research to provide answers to critical issues affecting the continent to unlock Africa’s potential on its Sustainable Development prospects. Africa’s challenges from poverty, climate change, lack of…
Kenya’s top climate think tank has partnered with a British university to drive policies to tackle climate change. The Africa Centre for Technology Studies and the University of Sussex have developed a mechanism to enable African countries to tap into…
The University of Rwanda (UR) in partnership with the African Center for Technology Studies (ACTS) held a one day applied workshop at University of Rwanda on the 25th of July, 2018 to mark the inception of the Knowledge Systems Innovation…
By Nora Ndege A stakeholders workshop organised by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and the University of Nairobi was held at the Sarova Panafric hotel on the 29th of June, 2018 to mark the inception of the Knowledge…
Dr Joanes Atela has been nominated to co-chair the “International Network of Climate Change Centres of Excellence and Think-Tanks for Capacity Building (INCCCETT 4CB)” partnership, which was launched at UNFCCC COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco. ACTS was nominated to represent Sub…
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in partnership with the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich, the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and…
On 15th December 2017, Prof. Calestous Juma, a research and development icon who revolutionized development thinking in Africa, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the brainchild of…
On behalf of the Chairman and Members of the Governing Council of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), we are pleased to inform you as a key Partner of the appointment of Professor Tom Peter Migun Ogada as the…
Editors: Hailemichael Teshome Demissie, Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng, Guillermo Foladori and Desalegn Mengesha (ACTS Press, University of Gondar Press and STIC) It is now the least contested view that technology has made people wealthier, healthier and wiser. This progress has…
The International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) announces the publication of its 2016 “Climate Think Tank Rankings”, the authoritative and worldwide known assessment of the most cutting-edge institutions working in the field of climate change economics and policy. According to…
