Kigali, Rwanda , 04 Mar 2025

AKADEMIYA2063 and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in advancing research, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking to support sustainable agricultural transformation, food security, and environmental management across Africa. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in critical areas such as evaluating climate risks,  forecasting insect and disease outbreaks, and assessing their impacts on agricultural production and livelihoods.

"AKADEMIYA2063 is delighted to partner with icipe, a global leader in applying data-driven solutions in entomology," said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson at  AKADEMIYA2063." This partnership will enable us to combine icipe's wealth of research knowledge on insects and biodiversity with AKADEMIYA2063's expertise in using AI and economic modeling tools to achieve our shared goals of boosting agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods across  Africa."

Under this partnership, icipe and AKADEMIYA2063 will collaborate in applying machine learning techniques and satellite data to forecast geo-biophysical and climate variables, predict temperature variations, and assess the impacts of climate conditions on crop growth. The integration of geo-biophysical forecasting with economic modeling to assess the economic impacts of insect outbreaks on food security, employment, and poverty will also be explored. Furthermore, AKADEMIYA2063 and icipe will leverage opportunities, notably through research and policy dialogue, to promote Africa's transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

"The new partnership with AKADEMIYA2063 marks a significant milestone for icipe. It comes at a pivotal time for the Centre, characterized by a stronger focus on climate action, an enhanced role in agrifood systems through the reduction of the vector-borne diseases burden, and the conservation of the environment and biodiversity. This milestone also aligns with icipe's expanding continental reach and the Centre's growing footprint in evidence-based science-policy dialogue for greater influence in development processes and networks across Africa," said Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Director General of icipe.

The collaboration is expected to foster knowledge-sharing through staff exchanges and joint scientific publications. Other areas of collaboration will include joint events, capacity-building initiatives, and joint fundraising.

About AKADEMIYA2063

AKADEMIYA2063 is a pan-African non-profit research organization with headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda, and a regional office in Dakar, Senegal. Inspired by the ambitions of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and grounded in the recognition of the central importance of strong knowledge and evidence-based systems, the vision of AKADEMIYA2063 is an Africa with the expertise we need for the Africa we want. This expertise must be responsive to the continent's needs for data and analysis to ensure high-quality policy design and execution. AKADEMIYA2063's overall mission is to create, across Africa, state-of-the-art technical capacities to support the efforts by the Member States of the African Union to achieve the key goals of Agenda 2063 of transforming national economies to boost economic growth and prosperity. For more information, visit www.akademiya2063.org.

About icipe  

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), is globally distinct, being the only research institute working primarily on insects and other arthropods. icipe is also the sole institution that combines research and development activities across plant health, human health, animal health, and environmental health. icipe is a global model of scientific excellence, distinctly blending the generation of world-class knowledge and its translation into nature-based, One Health, inclusive innovations that transform the livelihoods of millions of people in Kenya and across Africa. 

Dr. Layih Butake

Director, Communication and Outreach, AKADEMIYA2063

Lbutake@akademiya2063.org

Dr. Liz Ng'ang'a

Head of Communication, icipe

LNganga@icipe.org