A groundbreaking partnership between AKADEMIYA2063 and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is set to transform data-driven research for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience across Africa. The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate artificial intelligence, satellite imaging, and economic modelling into the study of insect populations, disease outbreaks, and environmental changes that impact food security.
The collaboration aims to tackle key challenges at the intersection of climate change, agriculture, and biodiversity by leveraging advanced analytics. These tools will be used to predict climate-driven pest outbreaks, assess their economic impact, and inform data-backed policy interventions. The initiative is expected to provide critical insights to African governments, researchers, and development agencies striving to build resilient agrifood systems.
By merging icipe’s expertise in entomology and biodiversity with AKADEMIYA2063’s capabilities in economic forecasting and artificial intelligence, the partnership will develop innovative tracking systems for mitigating climate-related agricultural risks. Machine learning algorithms will analyze satellite data to forecast climate variables—such as temperature fluctuations—that influence insect behaviour and disease patterns.
“AKADEMIYA2063 is excited to collaborate with icipe, a global leader in data-driven entomology research,” said Dr Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson at AKADEMIYA2063. “This partnership will enable us to integrate AI and economic modelling with icipe’s scientific research, providing policymakers with the evidence needed to strengthen food security, protect livelihoods, and advance Africa’s transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.”
The initiative will also examine the socio-economic implications of insect outbreaks by linking environmental and agricultural data with economic models. This approach will help predict the broader impact of climate shifts on employment, poverty, and agrifood markets, ensuring that interventions are scientifically sound and economically viable.
For icipe, this collaboration marks a crucial step toward expanding its research on climate action, vector-borne diseases, and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Director General of icipe, emphasized the partnership’s potential to elevate the Centre’s role in evidence-based policymaking.
“This collaboration comes at a crucial time for icipe, aligning with our expanding continental reach and our mission to bridge science and policy,” Dr. Tenkouano stated. “By integrating our research with AKADEMIYA2063’s economic and data modelling expertise, we can enhance Africa’s capacity to anticipate and respond to environmental and agricultural challenges.”
The agreement outlines plans for joint scientific publications, capacity-building initiatives, staff exchanges, and collaborative events focused on research and policy dialogue. It also opens opportunities for joint fundraising to scale up projects addressing climate resilience in Africa’s agricultural sector.
By aligning scientific research with real-world policy applications, the partnership between AKADEMIYA2063 and icipe seeks to equip Africa with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of climate change and safeguard agricultural sustainability in the region.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
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