African Centre for Technology Studies
African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a Nairobi-based Intergovernmental organization, founded in 1988, delivering policy research, capacity building, and technology brokerage on science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development across 30+ African countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What African Centre for Technology Studies does
African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on policy-oriented research, capacity strengthening, policy engagement, and technology brokerage to enable African countries to apply science, technology, and innovation (STI) for sustainable development. It is governed by a charter with five signatory governments (Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Malta) and two institutional signatories (The World Academy of Sciences — TWAS, and the World Agroforestry Centre — ICRAF), operating across 30+ African countries.
ACTS delivers its mandate through five core programmes: Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Security (AFNS); Climate Resilient Economies (CRE); STI, Knowledge & Society (STIKS); the ACTS AI Institute (ACAII); and Gender, Youth & Inclusive Development (GYID). Alongside these, ACTS runs targeted projects such as VALORISE (a circular bioeconomy research consortium for Kenya's dairy sector funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark with partners including Roskilde University, DTU, Arla Foods, Egerton University, Bioversity/CIAT, and ESADA), ACES/SPOKE (cold-chain and clean-energy enterprise integration), and Blue Empowerment SACCOs (blue-economy cooperative development). Proprietary technical outputs include the Africanised responsible AI toolbox under ACAII, the VALORISE Circular Bioeconomy methodology, and the ACES/SPOKE Cold-Chain Ecosystem Model.
As a non-profit IGO, ACTS does not commercialise products. Its revenue mechanics consist of intergovernmental contributions from charter signatories, restricted and unrestricted grants from bilateral and multilateral donor agencies (NORAD, Sida, World Bank, USAID, UK Aid, IDRC, UNESCO, FAO, UNIDO, UNEP, UNDP, TWAS), and project-based consultancy. Pricing is not commercially disclosed. ACTS is currently constructing a 4-storey research complex on 2.1 acres at Konza Technopolis, a 5,000-acre Special Economic Zone south of Nairobi, with a stated ambition to contribute up to 2% of Kenya's GDP when fully operational.
African Centre for Technology Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- African Centre for Technology Studies
- Legal name
- African Centre for Technology Studies
- Website
- https://acts-net.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a Nairobi-based Intergovernmental organization, founded in 1988, delivering policy research, capacity building, and technology brokerage on science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development across 30+ African countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
African Centre for Technology Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Foreign Governments (8888), International Affairs (9721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA), ESG, Sustainability & Impact Research (BPAHALAL), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK), Research, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Partnerships (EDADALAK), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ)
Keywords
Where African Centre for Technology Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
African Centre for Technology Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Intergovernmental Organization Funding: ACTS receives funding from signatory governments including Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, and Malta, as well as international organizations like TWAS and World Agroforestry Centre.
- Donor Agency Grants: Funding from development partners including NORAD, Sida (Sweden), World Bank, USAID, UK Aid, IDRC, UNESCO, FAO, UNIDO, UNEP, and UNDP for research programmes and capacity building projects.
- Project-Based Consultancy: Resource mobilization and partnership development for specific programmes like the Blue Empowerment SACCOs project, with success fees based on secured funding amounts (3-7% of staff costs).
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
African Centre for Technology Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
African Centre for Technology Studies conducts policy-oriented research, capacity building, policy engagement, and technology brokerage on the applications of science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development in Africa. The organization delivers its work through five core programmes (AFNS, CRE, STIKS, ACAII, GYID) and a portfolio of funded projects such as VALORISE and ACES/SPOKE. Offerings are structured as research outputs, advisory services, training, and convening activities targeted at governments, regional bodies, and development partners.
Product overview
African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank operating as an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988. The organization is structured around five core programmes: Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Security (AFNS), Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), STI Knowledge & Society (STIKS), the ACTS AI Institute (ACAII), and Gender Youth & Inclusive Development (GYID). These programmes are delivered through policy research, capacity building, policy engagement, and knowledge brokerage. Additional initiatives include the VALORISE project on circular bioeconomy in Kenya's dairy sector and the ACES/SPOKE programme supporting clean energy enterprises. The organization focuses on policy-oriented research to strengthen African countries' capacity to harness science and technology for sustainable development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VALORISE: A Circular Bioeconomy for the Kenyan Dairy Sector project focusing on whey valorization and sustainable dairy processing
- ACTS AI Institute (ACAII)
- APA Seasonal School
Products and services
- AFNS Programme (Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Systems)
- CRE Programme (Climate-Resilient Economies)
- STIKS Programme (Science, Technology and Innovation Knowledge Systems)
- ACAII (ACTS African Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Impact)
- GYID Programme (Green Youth Inclusive Development)
- VALORISE Project
- ACES/SPOKE Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% uplift in farmer returns through ACES SPOKE programme
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use African Centre for Technology Studies
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
African Centre for Technology Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
African Centre for Technology Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Roskilde University (RUC), DenmarkcoreResearch consortium partner in the VALORISE project focusing on circular bioeconomy for the Kenyan dairy sector. RUC contributes academic expertise in bioeconomy research methodology and interdisciplinary analysis.
- Danish Technical University (DTU)coreTechnical university partner in the VALORISE consortium providing engineering and technical expertise for dairy processing technology analysis and innovation pathways.
- Arla Foods, DenmarkcoreIndustry partner contributing expertise in dairy processing, whey valorisation technologies, and business model development. Arla processes over 225 million kilograms of whey annually and provides technology transfer for local processing.
- Egerton University, KenyacoreKenyan university partner providing local research capacity, consumer studies, and agribusiness expertise for the VALORISE dairy sector research.
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIATcoreInternational agricultural research partnership contributing expertise in sustainable food systems, biodiversity, and cost-benefit analysis methodologies.
- East and Southern Africa Dairy Association (ESADA)coreRegional dairy industry association providing industry insights, market access knowledge, and connections to dairy sector stakeholders across Eastern and Southern Africa.
- The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)coreInternational science academy and signatory to ACTS charter, providing global scientific network access and credibility for science policy work across developing countries.
- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)coreInternational research institution and charter signatory, contributing expertise in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and environmental management.
- UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN)minorUN network supporting sustainable development solutions, contributing to knowledge sharing and policy frameworks.
- Global Green Growth Institute (GGKP)minorInternational organization focused on green growth, contributing expertise on sustainable economic development pathways.
- FAOminorFood and Agriculture Organization contributing expertise on food security, agriculture, and sustainable development.
- UNIDOminorUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization providing expertise on industrial development and technology transfer.
- UNEPminorUnited Nations Environment Programme contributing expertise on environmental sustainability and climate action.
- Konza TechnopoliscoreACTS has begun construction of its new office complex at Konza Technopolis, a 5,000-acre technology city south of Nairobi. This physical co-location signals institutional commitment to Kenya's science city project and aims to contribute up to 2% of Kenya's GDP when fully operational.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
African Centre for Technology Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Resources Institute (WRI): A global research organization with substantially larger scale than ACTS, working at the intersection of environment and development — overlaps with ACTS's Climate Resilient Economies programme and broader STI policy work.
- African Development Bank (AfDB): A pan-African multilateral development finance institution that both funds and conducts research on African development — a broader incumbent that partners with ACTS-type organizations on policy research and capacity building.
Direct peers
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): An independent research organization delivering policy research and knowledge products on sustainable development, with overlapping focus areas in climate, agriculture, and STI policy — and a similar donor-funded, multi-stakeholder engagement model.
- Overseas Development Institute (ODI): A leading global affairs think tank producing research and policy advice on international development, with comparable programmes in climate, agriculture, and inclusive economic development — and similar donor ecosystem.
- Stockholm Environment Institute: An independent, international research organization working on environment and sustainable development, with a comparable model of policy-oriented research, capacity building, and donor-funded projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): A CGIAR research center providing policy research on food security, agriculture, and nutrition — directly comparable to ACTS's Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Security (AFNS) programme and its evidence-based policy advisory model.
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): A CGIAR research center conducting livestock and agriculture research in Africa, with overlapping programmes in dairy (VALORISE), food systems, and bioeconomy — similar donor-funded research model and African footprint.
- The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF): The African Union's specialized agency for capacity building across the continent — directly comparable to ACTS's capacity-building mandate and intergovernmental structure, with overlapping programmes in policy analysis and STI.
- Africa Policy Research Institute: An Africa-focused policy research institute providing independent research and advisory services across the continent — comparable in geography, scale, and policy-oriented research mandate, particularly on inclusive development.
Regional players
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-South Africa): South Africa's national R&D organization conducting scientific and industrial research with policy advisory functions — comparable in STI policy mandate and African footprint, though larger and more infrastructure-heavy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
African Centre for Technology Studies social profiles
Digital presenceAfrican Centre for Technology Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
African Centre for Technology Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
African Centre for Technology Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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African Centre for Technology Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about African Centre for Technology Studies
What does African Centre for Technology Studies do?
African Centre for Technology Studies conducts policy-oriented research, capacity building, policy engagement, and technology brokerage on the applications of science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development in Africa. The organization delivers its work through five core programmes (AFNS, CRE, STIKS, ACAII, GYID) and a portfolio of funded projects such as VALORISE and ACES/SPOKE. Offerings are structured as research outputs, advisory services, training, and convening activities targeted at governments, regional bodies, and development partners.
Is African Centre for Technology Studies a public or private company?
African Centre for Technology Studies is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was African Centre for Technology Studies founded?
African Centre for Technology Studies was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is African Centre for Technology Studies based?
African Centre for Technology Studies is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does African Centre for Technology Studies make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Intergovernmental Organization Funding is the primary driver. The others are donor Agency Grants and project-Based Consultancy.
Who are African Centre for Technology Studies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are World Resources Institute (WRI) and African Development Bank (AfDB). Direct peers are International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Stockholm Environment Institute, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and Africa Policy Research Institute. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-South Africa) is listed as a regional player.
Does African Centre for Technology Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for African Centre for Technology Studies.
What industry is African Centre for Technology Studies in?
African Centre for Technology Studies's product category is Policy Research and Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADABAO, Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs, with a secondary code of BPADAAAA, United Nations System & Specialized Agencies. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.