Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development

What Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development does

CETRAD (Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development) is a non-profit bilateral institution chartered in July 2002 between the Government of Kenya (Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation) and the Government of Switzerland (Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern), headquartered in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, with 11-50 employees. Its mandate focuses on the assessment, evaluation, and sustainable utilization of resources in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), tracing its lineage to the Laikipia Research Programme (1976-1997). Operationally, CETRAD runs four integrated service lines: applied research organized around four thematic thrusts (sustainable development strategies, land use planning, resource use and management, and non-farm economic development); short-term practitioner training courses (GIS, IWRM, Food Security and Drought Management, EIA/Audit, Resource Use Conflicts Management) with negotiable per-week tuition; competence and consultancy services in land use planning, GIS/RS-based resource mapping, water resources, and rural development; and structured publication series (Laikipia Reports, Geographica Bernensia African Studies, Discussion Papers, and affiliated academic theses).

The technical backbone is the Department of Information and Knowledge Management (DIKM), which maintains a well-equipped GIS/RS laboratory, comprehensive geospatial and hydrometeorological databases (covering Kenyan counties plus NCCR/ESAPP programme areas in Tanzania and Ethiopia, organized in ArcInfo/Shapefile/Geodatabase formats), and a GeoNetCast ground receiving station ingesting MSG, NOAA, FENYUN, JASON, METOP, and EUMETSAT SAF satellite products. Supporting software tools include NakInfo (a multilingual EN/Kiswahili desktop decision-support app for local authorities) and the COMPACT database toolkit, alongside publications such as the Kuishi Pamoja community comic and the Water Resources Information Management Directory covering 21 sub-catchments of the Upper Ewaso Ngiro River Basin.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by research grants and partnership funding (IFAD's KCEP-CRAL across eight Kenyan counties, NCCR North-South, ESAPP regional coordination, AFGROLAND, R4D, Wyss Academy Gambella Wetland work, The Nature Conservancy Isiolo WRUA, PEP Project with Biovision/CABI/KEFRI), supplemented by negotiable tuition fees for short courses, sales of GIS products and publications, and client-oriented consultancy. Customer segments are weighted toward government institutions (Kenyan ministries, county governments in eight counties under KCEP-CRAL), development sector professionals (NGO staff, graduates), research and academic institutions (local and international universities), and conservation organizations. Distribution is direct via facilities-based training in Nanyuki, on-site county government capacity building, academic programme platforms at Masters/PhD/Post Doc levels, and consultancy engagement.

Name

Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development

Legal name

Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development

Website

https://cetrad.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CETRAD is a Kenya-Switzerland bilateral non-profit institution, based in Nanyuki, that delivers applied research, practitioner training, GIS/RS and hydromet data services, and consultancy focused on the sustainable development of Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands for government, development, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nanyuki

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Short-term Training Courses: CETRAD offers short-term training courses including Food Security and Drought Management, GIS, Integrated Water Resources Management, Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit, and Resource Use Conflicts Management. Tuition fees are negotiable per week, excluding transport, meals and accommodation.
2. Academic Training Programs: Platform for academic training programmes from collaborating local and foreign universities at Masters, PhD and Post Doc levels implemented in local universities.
3. GIS Products and Consultancy: Sale of GIS products and client-oriented consultancy services to institutions and individuals including Land Use Planning, Resource Mapping, and GIS/RS services.
4. Publications: Sale of publications including Laikipia Reports, Geographica Bernensia African Studies, Laikipia-Mount Kenya Papers, and academic theses.
5. Research Grants and Partnerships: Funded research activities through partnerships with international institutions including NCCR North-South, ESAPP, AFGROLAND, R4D Food Systems Sustainability, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CETRAD is a bilateral research and training institution offering short-term practical courses, applied field research, and consultancy services focused on sustainable development of arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. Its portfolio covers GIS and remote sensing, water resources management, food security, environmental impact assessment, land use planning, and rangeland rehabilitation, supported by academic training partnerships and geospatial data products.

Product overview

CETRAD offers a portfolio of research, training, consultancy, and data products focused on ASAL development in Kenya. Its core offerings include short-term practical training courses, applied R&D organized around four thematic thrusts (sustainable development strategies, land use planning, resource use management, and non-farm economic development), and competence consultancy spanning GIS/RS, water resources, land use, and rural development. Supporting these are structured publication series, the DIKM department for GIS/RS and ICT services, and specialized software tools (NakInfo, COMPACT Toolkit). The data layer comprises a comprehensive GIS/geospatial database, a hydromet database, and a GeoNetCast satellite data service covering Kenya and target East African regions. Additional offerings include the Kuishi Pamoja community comic and the Water Resources Information Management Directory for RWUAs. The portfolio functions as an integrated suite combining research, capacity building, geospatial data services, and knowledge products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Short-Term Training Courses Short-term practical and field-based training courses for government officers, NGO staff, graduates, and development practitioners covering GIS, water resources management, food security and drought management, environmental impact assessment and audit, and resource use conflicts management. Courses run from 2 to 3 weeks and are offered on a scheduled annual calendar.
• Research & Development
• Competence & Consultancy Services
• GIS/RS Consultancy Services
• GIS & Geospatial Database
• Hydromet Database
• GeoNetCast Satellite Data Service
• Publications
• NakInfo Decision-Support Application
• COMPACT Database Toolkit
• Academic Training Programmes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Partnership for end-user water metering installation in Isiolo WRUA to strengthen water governance and management through promoting equitable water access and reducing water-related conflicts.
• Wyss Academy for NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Multi-year partnership for Gambella Wetland protection and restoration including tree planting, water infrastructure construction, and community engagement for ecosystem restoration and livelihood support.
• AFGROLAND ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2015Partnership for African Food, Agriculture and Land Use Change project (2015-2018) linking agro-food-energy nexus research. Partners include CIRAD (France), CDE (Switzerland), University of Pretoria, Malagasy Land Observatory, ILC, and NEPAD Business Foundation.
• Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005CETRAD hosted NCCR North-South activities in JACS East Africa as Regional Coordination Office. Implemented by CDE in concert with 8 Swiss university institutions in second phase (2005-2009).
• Government of Switzerland / Centre for Development and Environment, University of BerncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2002Bilateral institutional partnership established in July 2002. Government of Switzerland through Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of University of Bern collaborates on research, training, and development programmes for ASAL development.
• Government of Kenya / Ministry of Water, Sanitation and IrrigationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2002Bilateral institutional partnership with Government of Kenya through Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation established in July 2002 as the foundational governance structure for CETRAD.
• University of NairobimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Arts; Department of Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology; Department of Urban & Regional Planning for research and training collaboration.
• Egerton UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Department of Geography for student training and research collaboration in sustainable resource management.
• Laikipia County GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partnership for ASAL development initiatives, wetland restoration projects, and community development programmes in Laikipia County.
• Cambridge University (Department of Geography)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for geographical research and knowledge exchange on sustainable development and resource management.
• Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for agricultural research and training collaboration in Eastern Africa.
• University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional academic partnership for research collaboration on sustainable development and resource management.
• KARLO (Kenya Agricultural Research & Livestock Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural research partnership for sustainable land management and rural development initiatives.
• Syngenta / Syngenta Global StewardshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Global Stewardship programme for conservation agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
• Biovision Africa TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint implementation of Native Plants for Environment and People (PEP) Project focusing on rangeland degradation, deforestation, and invasive alien trees in Kenya and Tanzania.
• CABIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PEP Project for knowledge sharing about native species, capacity building for agricultural advisors, and sustainable land management practices.
• Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner in PEP Project for documenting environmental and economic benefits from sustainable land management practices and native plant species application.
• Eastern and Southern Africa Partnership Programme (ESAPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCETRAD serves as Focal Point for Kenya and Regional Node for ESAPP covering six countries (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar). Programme implemented by CDE under Swiss Development Cooperation funding.
• R4D Programme ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerR4D Food Systems Sustainability project implemented jointly by consortium of research scientists and institutions in Switzerland, Bolivia, and Kenya under SNF and SDC funding through Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development.
• Water Resources Authority (WRA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for water resources management including wetland restoration and water infrastructure development.
• National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for environmental management in wetland restoration and Prosopis management projects.
• Kenya Forest Service (KFS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for tree planting exercises, forest conservation, and environmental restoration initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe): Nairobi-based research institute generating knowledge and capacity for sustainable development in Africa. Comparable to CETRAD as a Kenya-based, internationally funded research and training institution with similar donor mix and academic partnerships.
• African Wildlife Foundation (AWF): Pan-African conservation organization working on wildlife, habitats, and human-wildlife coexistence across African landscapes including ASALs. Comparable to CETRAD through shared focus on conservation, community engagement, and training in ASAL ecosystems.
• International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED): International research organization working on sustainable development, environmental management, and climate resilience with deep partnerships in Africa. Comparable to CETRAD through its research, training, and capacity building model in developing-country contexts.
• Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD): Inter-governmental organization based in Nairobi providing geospatial, earth observation, and GIS/RS training and capacity building across Africa. Closely comparable to CETRAD's GIS/RS lab, training programmes, and data service offerings.
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): CGIAR research institute headquartered in Nairobi working on livestock and animal agriculture in African drylands and ASALs. Directly comparable to CETRAD's research focus on ASAL livelihoods, rangelands, and water resources.
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO): Kenya's national agricultural research organization with an existing partnership with CETRAD on rangelands and resource management. Comparable as a research and training institution serving Kenyan government and development sector clients.
• Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern: CETRAD's bilateral parent institution at the University of Bern, working on sustainable development research and partnerships with the Global South. Functions as a direct peer and partner whose research and training portfolio overlaps substantially with CETRAD's.
• World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF): International research organization headquartered in Nairobi working on agroforestry, land restoration, and dryland livelihoods. Comparable to CETRAD through its ASAL-focused research, training, and capacity building on natural resource management.
• African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS): Nairobi-based research and policy think tank working on science, technology, environment, and sustainable development in Africa. Comparable to CETRAD as a Nairobi-anchored African research and policy institute serving development-sector clients.

Regional players

• Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa: SEI operates an Africa office from Nairobi conducting environmental and sustainable development research. Comparable in mission and methods to CETRAD, but anchored in a global network and broader in geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cetradKe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMyg5sXpownUSmAqWz4nJjw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CETRADKe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cetradke

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development