Africa and Kenya
AGRA
Nairobi, Kenya
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Works with governments and partners to strengthen smallholder-centred food systems across the continent.
Visit websiteResearch and development network
The organisations shaping the future of farming
From global bodies in Rome and Washington to research centres in Nairobi, Ibadan and Wageningen, these institutions generate the knowledge, technology and finance that move agriculture forward. Smart Tec seeks collaboration with these institutions to contextualise research findings, facilitate farmer training, evaluate appropriate technologies and connect production systems with market requirements in Kenya and the wider region.
Africa and Kenya
AUDA-NEPAD
Midrand, South Africa
The African Union’s development agency, supporting continental agricultural priorities including the CAADP framework.
Visit websiteAfrica and Kenya
African Development Bank
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Finances agriculture, infrastructure and agribusiness across Africa.
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FARA
Accra, Ghana
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, coordinating agricultural research for development at continental level.
Visit websiteAfrica and Kenya
KALRO
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, the national body for crop, livestock and genetic-resource research.
Visit websiteAfrica and Kenya
KEPHIS
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, responsible for plant health, seed quality and phytosanitary certification.
Visit websiteAfrica and Kenya
icipe
Nairobi, Kenya
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology. Insect science for pest management, pollinators and livestock health.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
CGIAR
Global partnership
The world’s largest global agricultural innovation network, working for a food-secure future.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
ILRI
Nairobi, Kenya and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
International Livestock Research Institute. Research to improve livestock productivity, health and livelihoods.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
Nairobi, Kenya
Research on trees on farms, land restoration and agroforestry systems.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
IITA
Ibadan, Nigeria
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Research on cassava, maize, cowpea, banana, yam and other tropical crops.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
CIMMYT
Texcoco, Mexico, with an Africa hub in Nairobi
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Improves maize and wheat for farmers in developing countries.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
ICRISAT
Hyderabad, India, with regional hubs in Africa
Research for dryland crops such as sorghum, millet, chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
International Potato Center (CIP)
Lima, Peru, with an office in Nairobi
Research on potato, sweetpotato and Andean roots and tubers for food and nutrition security.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Rome, Italy and Cali, Colombia
Crop diversity, beans, forages and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Visit websiteCGIAR and research centres
IFPRI
Washington, D.C., United States
International Food Policy Research Institute. Evidence-based research on food, agriculture and policy.
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AfricaRice
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Rice research and development for African farmers and consumers.
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WorldFish
Penang, Malaysia
Research on fisheries and aquaculture for food security and livelihoods.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
FAO
Rome, Italy
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Leads international efforts to end hunger and improve agriculture.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
IFAD
Rome, Italy
International Fund for Agricultural Development. Invests in rural people and smallholder agriculture.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
World Food Programme
Rome, Italy
Food assistance and support for smallholder access to markets and resilience.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
World Bank
Washington, D.C., United States
Financing, policy advice and data for agriculture and food systems worldwide.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
CABI
Egham, United Kingdom, with an Africa centre in Nairobi
Not-for-profit organisation applying science to plant health, pests and agricultural information.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
GIZ
Bonn and Eschborn, Germany
German development agency, active in agriculture, rural development and food systems.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
JICA
Tokyo, Japan
Japan International Cooperation Agency. Technical cooperation and training in agriculture across Africa and Asia.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
Gates Foundation
Seattle, United States
Funds agricultural development, with a focus on smallholder productivity and resilience.
Visit websiteGlobal agencies and finance
Rockefeller Foundation
New York, United States
Supports food-systems transformation, nutrition and regenerative agriculture.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
Wageningen University and Research
Wageningen, Netherlands
A world leader in agricultural science, food technology and plant research.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
Home to the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, a leading centre for teaching and research.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
JKUAT
Juja, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, strong in agricultural engineering and technology.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
Egerton University
Njoro, Kenya
One of Kenya’s oldest agricultural institutions, known for crop, livestock and agribusiness programmes.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Morogoro, Tanzania
Tanzania’s leading agricultural university, with strengths in livestock, crops and food science.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda
Long-established East African university with major agricultural and veterinary research.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
UM6P
Benguerir, Morocco
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, with research in soil science, plant science and agri-technology.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
CIRAD
Montpellier, France
French agricultural research and cooperation organisation for sustainable development in tropical regions.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
Embrapa
Brasília, Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, behind major advances in tropical agriculture.
Visit websiteUniversities and national research
ICAR
New Delhi, India
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, coordinating agricultural research and education in India.
Visit websiteThis directory is provided for reference and learning. Listing does not imply endorsement of, or a formal partnership with, any institution. Please visit each website for current programmes and contacts.
How we engage
Turning institutional knowledge into farm results
We aim to be a practical bridge between research and the farmers who need it.
Monitor and optimise
Draw on published research, field guides and training from leading institutions.
Test
Pilot proven methods and varieties on partner farms and measure results locally.
Train
Connect farmers and trainers with extension and capacity-building programmes.
Collaborate
Explore joint projects, funding and exchange with institutions in Africa and beyond.
Are you a research or development institution?
We would welcome conversations about joint pilots, training, data sharing and farmer-focused collaboration.