SDGs

ISF’s research agenda is organised across six strategic initiatives (SI). Each initiative pursues a distinct but complementary contribution to the overarching goal of sustainable development.

SI-1: Climate Change & Sustainable Energy Transitions

Positioned as Africa’s leading research programme on energy transition and climate adaptation, generating evidence that shapes national energy policy, Africa’s climate commitments, and community resilience strategies. Research priorities under CLISETI include: Policy frameworks for accelerating Africa’s transition to renewable energy; Gender-inclusive clean energy transitions and energy justice; Climate-smart agriculture and food systems resilience; Climate-induced migration: evidence and policy responses; and Decentralised energy for off-grid communities.

SI-2: Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability

Expanding and deepening ISF’s suite of interactive public databases to cover five sectors, and establish ISF as Africa’s leading provider of open, curated development data for policy, journalism, and civic engagement. Key priorities include: New data partnerships with African Bureau of Statistics, government ministries, and regional partners; Development of data interactives accompanying all major ISF publications; and Capacity building in data literacy for journalists, CSOs, and policymakers.

SI-4: Digital Platforms for Inclusive Growth

Establish ISF as East Africa’s leading research voice on digital transformation for inclusive development, with particular focus on fintech, e-governance, e-Tax and AI-driven agricultural innovation. Key priorities include: Digital inclusion and closing the digital divide in Africa; AI and development: opportunities and risks for African economies; Fintech and financial empowerment for underserved populations; and E-governance and digital public service delivery.

SI-5: Futures and Foresight Studies

Build ISF’s Futures and Foresight capacity into a regionally recognised resource for government, private sector, and civil society, delivering commissioned foresight studies and building African capacity in futures research methods. Key priorities include: Commissioned futures research for GoU and regional bodies; Methodological development; Delphi and scenario analysis for African contexts; Building futures literacy in African institutions and Foresight for climate and energy transitions.

SI-6: Drivers of Growth

Generate the evidence base needed to ensure that Africa’s growth in agriculture, Industry and Trade, urbanisation, and extractive industries is inclusive, sustainable, and well-governed. Key sub-themes include: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems; Sustainable Transport & Urbanisation; and Sustainable Industrialization and Trade.