Afrique Center for Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Research (ACSAIR)
The digital interconnectedness of Africa, symbolizes ACSAIR’s mission to harness technology and data for the continent’s development. ACSAIR works to nurture a continent-wide ecosystem where statistics, innovation and AI are leveraged responsibly to improve lives, strengthen governance and secure Africa’s place in the frontiers of science and innovation.
Who We Are
Afrique Center for Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Research (ACSAIR) is a pan-African research organization dedicated to leveraging research, data, technology and innovation to drive sustainable development.
We combine cutting-edge technical expertise with a deep understanding of African socio-economic realities to design solutions that empower communities, inform evidence-based policymaking and spur inclusive growth.
Our approach is simple: we work hand-in-hand with governments, NGOs and development partners to ensure that advances in research capacities, statistics, tecnology & innovation and AI translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives. ACSAIR is turning data into actionable knowledge and converting innovative ideas into scalable solutions for the public good.
Africa stands on the cusp of a data revolution. Already, real-world examples demonstrate the transformative potential of these technologies – for instance, in Kenya a digital health platform powered by AI has provided nearly three million new and expectant mothers with life-saving information via basic SMS messages and AI-driven advisory services now give smallholder farmers timely, tailored guidance on pests and weather, helping boost crop yields and resilience.
ACSAIR exists to scale and support such innovations across the continent, ensuring they are locally-driven, ethically implemented and sustainable. We believe that by combining rigorous statistical research with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and a culture of innovation, African nations can leapfrog into a future where decisions are data-informed and technology works for everyone. On our platform, you will find insights into how we conduct research, build capacity, deliver services and foster partnerships to make this vision a reality.
Our Services
ACSAIR offers a broad suite of services designed to help our stakeholders harness data and innovation effectively. We understand the needs of governments, NGOs, donor agencies and private sector partners and tailor our services to deliver actionable insights and sustainable solutions.
We design and execute scientific research projects that address real-world problems. This includes policy-oriented research as well as technical R&D. Clients and partners often engage us to conduct pilot studies or feasibility research before scaling an idea. Through our R&D services, we produce evidence and prototypes that help decision-makers choose the best paths forward.
At the heart of ACSAIR is a strong capacity in data analysis. We provide end-to-end data services – from designing surveys and data collection strategies to cleaning data, performing complex statistical analysis and producing clear visualizations. For governments and NGOs, we offer services like impact evaluations of programs, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework design, economic modeling and forecasting and predictive analytics to inform planning.
We also build custom dashboards and databases: for instance, we can develop a public health indicator dashboard for a Ministry or an interactive data portal for a development project. All our analytics services emphasize accuracy, clarity and relevance, turning raw data into actionable intelligence.
Building local capacity is a service we provide both as part of projects and as standalone offerings. We organize training workshops, seminars and hands-on bootcamps for a variety of audiences – from civil servants who need to learn data visualization, to young entrepreneurs seeking to apply machine learning, to NGO staff looking to improve their monitoring and evaluation skills.
We also run fellowship programs and mentoring schemes: for example, an agency can sponsor a cohort of its analysts to undergo our 3-month data science fellowship. Our training services are highly customizable and practical, often resulting in participants immediately applying new skills in their jobs. By focusing on topics like statistical software use, AI ethics, data engineering, innovation management, and more, we help cultivate a tech-savvy and data-literate workforce within African institutions.
We serve as strategic advisors to organizations embarking on digital transformation or data-driven initiatives. In this consulting role, ACSAIR provides guidance on developing data strategies (e.g. how a city government can use data to improve services), AI strategies (e.g. how a company could integrate AI responsibly into its operations) and innovation strategies (e.g. how a public health NGO might adopt new tech tools).
We advise policymakers on crafting policies and regulatory frameworks around emerging technologies. Additionally, we offer technical advisory services during project implementation. Our experts can be on call to troubleshoot, evaluate and ensure best practices are followed. We also conduct independent audits and evaluations of various types of projects, providing clients with an objective assessment of a project’s reported outcomes.
Going beyond advice, ACSAIR actively helps in building and deploying technology solutions. Through this service, we might work with a partner to develop a software application or to set up an innovation hub or lab. We provide technical teams that can do full-stack development, AI model training and system integration tailored to development sector needs. If an organization has a concept for a data platform or tool, we can collaborate from design through testing to launch.
Moreover, we support the localization of technology – adapting international technological tools or platforms to local languages and contexts, which is often a service needed by global tech companies or NGOs wanting to enter African markets responsibly.
By bridging the gap between idea and execution, we ensure that good innovations don’t stay on the shelf but reach the communities who need them.
Operational Area
ACSAIR’s operational area is the entire African continent, with a commitment to reach and benefit all regions: North, West, East, Central and Southern Africa. While our headquarters is in Kampala, Uganda, we function through a network of collaborations and on-the-ground activities in multiple countries. Being pan-African in scope means we design our programs to be scalable and adaptable across different local contexts. We recognize that Africa is incredibly diverse – culturally, linguistically, economically and in terms of technological infrastructure, so our operations are flexible and responsive to local needs.
We often establish small satellite offices or assign local coordinators in countries where we have significant activities. These local presences help us maintain close relationships with stakeholders (like government ministries or community organizations), understand on-the-ground realities and ensure smooth implementation of projects. Our operational model balances a centralized strategy with decentralized execution. The strategy and knowledge base such as research methodology, model development, training curricula are often developed at our HQ or by our core team, but the execution is done regionally in partnership with local entities.
ACSAIR’s operational areas of focus also span various development sectors, reflecting Africa’s multifaceted challenges. We operate wherever data and innovation can make an impact: this includes sectors like agriculture, health, education, environmental management, finance, infrastructure and governance. For each sector, we often have a flagship project or partnership. By being present in different sectors, we also encourage cross-sector learning – success in one domain can inspire approaches in another e.g., using techniques from health data management to improve education data systems.
Another aspect of our operational area is regional and continental initiatives. ACSAIR actively engages in Africa-wide networks and programs. Our aim is to break silos between countries by fostering an Africa-wide learning community. If we develop a good practice in one country, we will seek to transfer that knowledge to others through conferences or direct technical assistance. In this way, our operational footprint isn’t just isolated activities, but a growing web of knowledge exchange spanning Africa.
We also remain mindful of working in fragile and low-resource settings. Some of our operations are in areas with limited infrastructure (like remote villages or post-conflict regions). In these areas, our approach is to start small, listen carefully and build capacity gradually. Additionally, we strive to include such communities so that the benefits of research, technology and innovation are not just concentrated in Africa’s major cities or tech hubs. This inclusive approach is part of our mandate to leave no one behind in the digital age.