African Centre for Technology Studies - ACTS

28/04/2026

🗓️ 14 April 2026

👩🏾‍🌾 👨🏾‍🌾 Farmers in Lari gathered for a Farmers Day hosted by the Lari Horticultural Farmers’ Cooperative Society (LHFCS), bringing together county leadership, extension officers and partners working across production, inputs and markets.

Among those present were Chief Officer Benson Ndung’u, CECM for Agriculture, County Government of Kiambu, alongside stakeholders including Stella from FarmRise - Powered By Bayer, Joyce Gema from Tradecare, Linet, Safi Organics Ltd. and Caroline, a key off taker who joined to better understand where her produce comes from.

The day centered on lessons from demo farm activities (Oct 2025 – Feb 2026), with a focus on soil preparation, nursery management, pest control and crop-specific practices for carrots, cabbage and potatoes. Farmers shared practical changes already underway, including improved soil preparation, raised nurseries and natural pest control methods like marigold planting and onion use.

Key takeaways:
🔸 Start with understanding your farm conditions
🔸 Raised nurseries improve germination
🔸 Crop-specific management is critical
🔸 Integrated pest management reduces chemical use
🔸 Soil health shapes food quality and market trust
🔸 Stronger extension follow-up is needed

The importance of food safety and market segmentation also came out strongly, alongside a key moment of exchange between farmers and buyers, reinforcing trust and transparency in the value chain.

Looking ahead, LHFCS is focusing on structured planting, traceability, bulk input purchasing and farmer clustering to improve coordination, reduce costs and enhance market access. LHFCS Officer Benson noted that the future of the cooperative lies in moving from individual production to coordinated farming systems that improve both efficiency and bargaining power.

Read more here 👉🏾 https://acts-net.org/lari-horticultural-farmers-cooperative-society-brings-farmers-and-markets-closer/

Christine Ndiritu | Patience Mebo Ochieng | Catherine. W. Kilelu | Zipporah Maina

21/04/2026

📣 Consultancy Opportunity Alert!

We are looking for a facilitator to strategically support and guide in co-development of our Strategic Plan for the year 2027 to 2031.

✅ Objective
The primary objective of this consultancy is to facilitate and guide the development of a new Strategic Plan for the organization. At the end of the process the main goal is to develop a Strategic Plan that builds upon our achievements as well as the external operating environment in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.

✅ Expected Deliverables
🔹 A structured plan on how to support the four working groups based on available internal resources and mapped external environment.
🔹 A format for the five-year Strategic Plan – 2027-2031; and structured plan on how to align the available resources to this format.
🔹 A programme for engaging the stakeholders for their input towards the strategic plan co-development.
🔹 Facilitating in at least four strategic planning meetings/webinars/workshops involving all stakeholders.
🔹 First draft strategic plan co-developed with all stakeholders.

Visit 👉🏾 https://acts-net.org/opportunities/development-and-delivery-of-acts-strategic-plan-2027-2031/ to learn more and apply!

Deadline: 30th April 2026

21/04/2026

🌍 What does “impact” in climate adaptation really mean and how do we get there?

This week in Cape Town, the CLARE Capacity Strengthening Hub (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) & PlanAdapt) in partnership with SouthSouthNorth are hosting the CLARE CS Hub Seasonal School that brings together researchers and practitioners to examine how adaptation research can move beyond knowledge generation to drive real-world change. The focus is on strengthening capacities to enhance the impact of adaptation research.

At the heart of the discussions is a shift from producing outputs to shaping outcomes. Conversations are focusing on what effective adaptation looks like, as well as the systems, partnerships and pathways needed to translate research into action. There is also a growing emphasis on moving from defining impact to co-creating solutions. A shared understanding is forming that impact goes beyond reports and publications and is reflected in influence, relationships and lasting change over time.

A timely reminder that meaningful climate adaptation is not just about what we know, but how that knowledge is applied, by whom and for whom.

Heidi Braun | Laura Owings Rawden | Michelle Hahn-Baker | Joel Onyango | Tamara Nyirenda | Adéle Hosken | Suzanne Carter | Martin Rokitzki | Dr. Ruth Wambui (PhD) | Monroe Dikiny | Lisa Manya | Roy Bouwer | Xoliswa Ndeleni | Jamie Adams | Sumetee Pahwa Gajjar | Carys Richards | Biplav Pradhan | Alannah Hofemeier | Phuu Thit Kyaw | Dorcas Kalele, Ph.D | Salome Okoth | Maureen Kabasa | Fiona Makayoto | ROSALIA KYENGO | Ursulla Wandili

CLARE Programme | International Development Research Centre (IDRC) | CRDI en Afrique centrale et de l'Ouest | IDRC in West and Central Africa | IDRC in Asia | IDRC in Eastern and Southern Africa | CRDI en Afrique orientale et australe

Photo Credit: Jamie Adams, SSN

Learn more about CLARE and the CS Hub here: 👉🏾 https://clareprogramme.org/project/clare-capacity-strengthening-hub/

👩🏾‍💻 👨🏾‍💻 Stay tuned for more updates!

17/04/2026

📣 We are Hiring!

We’re looking for a Finance Officer to join our team.

The officer will work within the Finance & Administration Department and will support day-to-day financial operations.

Key Responsibilities:
🔹Manage day-to-day financial operations (payments, reconciliations, reporting)
🔹Ensure compliance with internal policies and statutory requirements
🔹Prepare donor reports and budget vs actual reports
🔹Support internal and external audits
🔹Strengthen internal controls, policies and procedures
🔹Supervise and guide the accounts assistant

Minimum Requirements:
🔹Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field
🔹Active ICPAK membership
🔹At least 3 years’ experience in a donor-funded setup
🔹Proficiency in accounting systems (Microsoft Business Central is a plus)

Visit 👉🏾 https://acts-net.org/opportunities/vacancy-announcement-finance-officer/ to learn more and apply!

10/04/2026

07/04/2026

🗣️ Calling all Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

📘The Intellectual Property Handbook for MSMEs and Innovators is now available here 👉🏾 https://www.gdih.org/intellectual-property-handbook-for-msmes-and-innovators/ 🎉

This handbook is a practical guide for MSMEs, startups and creators who want to protect their ideas, innovations and brands. It explains how intellectual property works, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, and shows how you can turn your ideas into real business value.

In today’s fast-moving business world, understanding intellectual property is key to standing out, attracting investors and growing sustainably. Whether you are just starting out or looking to scale, this handbook gives you the tools to make your innovations work for you.

Download your copy today! https://www.gdih.org/intellectual-property-handbook-for-msmes-and-innovators/



Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH | African Centre for Technology Studies - ACTS | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Discover JKUAT) | Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) | (Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI) | Kenya National Innovation Agency | Konza Technopolis

27/03/2026

🌱 Empowering Women in Agriculture: Voices from LARI Horticultural Cooperative

🗓️ Wednesday, 25 March 2026 - The Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security (AFNS) team at ACTS engaged in a focused discussion with women farmers of the LARI Horticultural Farmers' Cooperative Society (LHFCS) in Lari Sub-county, County Government of Kiambu. The session, titled “Empowering LARI Horticulture Cooperative through Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI)”, was facilitated by Dr. Caroline Mbaya, Dorcas Kalele, Ph.D and Patience Mebo Ochieng.

The conversation centered on one core question: what does it take for women to thrive in the agriculture value chain? The women shared their realities candidly, highlighting the barriers and inequalities that limit their full participation in agri-food systems.

🗣️ Key insights from the discussion:

🔸 Leadership & Decision-Making:
"We are members — but when decisions are made, we are not in the room." Despite leading much of the on-groundwork, women’s voices are still often absent at the cooperative decision-making table.

🔸 Farming Realities:
Daily challenges include access to quality inputs, unpredictable weather, water scarcity, limited land ownership and weak market linkages. Seasonal shifts and droughts threaten both harvests and households, while credit and land remain largely inaccessible.

🔸 Women’s Priorities:
✅ Hands-on skills training in their local language
✅ Agri-tech and digital tools to work smarter, reach markets and increase profitability
✅ Leadership and negotiation skills, practiced during the session to strengthen participation in cooperative decision-making

The solutions identified by the participants reflect a clear understanding of their own needs, calling on organizations to provide the systems, training and support structures necessary for these women to assume leadership roles effectively.

Following the discussions, A Women’s Advocacy Champions Platform was launched to strengthen collective action and ensure women’s representation within the cooperative.

Stay tuned for further updates on the implementation and impact of this platform!

17/03/2026

🌱 Strengthening Local Agriculture through Collaboration and Policy

Today, we paid a courtesy call to Minister Wilfred Mwenda Kiara, CECM, and Chief Officer Benson Ndung’u, CECM for Agriculture County Government of Kiambu where we discussed the Lari Horticultural Farmers’ Cooperative Society (LHFCS), the county’s first horticulture cooperative focused on vegetable farming.

The cooperative recently commissioned a cold chain facility that not only reduces post-harvest losses but also provides a sustainable business model for farmers. Our discussions explored strategies to optimize cold chain operations, expand market access to better align production with demand and ensure farmers earn fair and stable incomes while growing their market presence.

We also discussed the importance of strengthening irrigation systems and building farmers’ capacity through targeted training and ongoing engagement with extension officers. In addition, we examined opportunities for public private partnerships to further support and scale the cooperative’s impact.

This initiative highlights the critical role of policy support and stakeholder collaboration in driving sustainable development within local communities.



Catherine. W. Kilelu | Christine Ndiritu | Peter Ongalo, MPRSK | Amon Kevin Kirathe Gachuri

16/03/2026

📣 Applications are still open for the ACTS Pathways Academy (APA) Seasonal School 2026!

🤔Curious what the experience looks like? Watch highlights from a past Summer School hosted by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and ACTS Pathways Academy, where participants from across the Global South came together to exchange ideas, reflect on decolonising knowledge systems, and connect research with policy and practice. The programme also included a field visit to the Blue Empowerment Project site and an engagement walkshop that linked discussions to community experiences.

🎥 Watch the highlights here:
https://youtu.be/kKpFPk4XSdI?si=EeXzy3N-K8PQ5x2X

The 7-day immersive programme brings together innovators, researchers, policymakers and emerging leaders to explore how Artificial Intelligence can support climate resilience, sustainability and low carbon development.
If you are working in AI, climate action, policy, research or sustainable development, this could be the space to learn, exchange ideas and connect with others working on climate solutions.

🗓️ Application deadline: March 31, 2026
Learn more and apply 👉🏾 https://acts-net.org/apa-seasonal-school-2026-shaping-ai-for-people-planet-and-progress/

For inquiries, contact Monroe Dikiny Ouma: [email protected]

10/03/2026

⏳ Closing Soon: ARA Emerging Adaptation Professionals Knowledge Catalyst Fellowship!

There’s still a short window to apply for the Emerging Adaptation Professionals (EAP) Knowledge Catalyst Fellowship by The Adaptation Research Alliance Alliance in collaboration with the African Centre for Technology Studies - ACTS and ACTS Pathways Academy

If you are an early-career researcher or practitioner working on climate adaptation and resilience in Africa, this Fellowship offers an opportunity to strengthen your research, receive mentorship and contribute to global climate knowledge.

👩🏾‍💻 👨🏾‍💻Over six months, selected Fellows will gain:
🔹 Mentorship to develop or finalize adaptation research manuscripts
🔹 Support for professional editing and publication fees
🔹 Skills in academic writing and science communication
🔹 Opportunities to connect with peers and mentors across Africa and beyond
🔹 Participation in a fully funded Tracking, Learning & Sharing Workshop

The Fellowship is open to postgraduate students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, early-career academics and adaptation practitioners based in Africa or conducting research on the continent.

📅 Application Deadline: March 11, 2026

Visit 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/dU9WajwB to learn more, apply and share widely with your networks!!

The Adaptation Research Alliance | SEI – Stockholm Environment Institute | SEI Africa – Stockholm Environment Institute | IPCC

For inquiries and clarifications, E-mail: [email protected] and CC: [email protected]