Geographical coverage of the AIIKS

The African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS) is a consortium of more than 20 Higher Education Institutions-based and Autonomous Research Institutions within and outside Africa.  The participating member institutions are responsible for systematization of African Indigenous Science, Technology and Innovation in the global knowledge economy for the localization of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the attainment of aspirations of African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want).  The current members of the consortium are from the following countries: South Africa (Hub), Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The holistic, cultural, multilingual, ecological and multi-transdisciplinary nature of AIKS is in line with all the UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/5), including global strategies and sectoral programme priorities, especially in the context of localization of UN SDGs in Africa.  This is articulated in the Institute’s Concept Note (see Annexure C) in terms of Vision and Mission, multi-transdisciplinary Signature Projects, Focus and Cross-cutting areas. 

AIIKS Focus Areas:

(i) IKS and Traditional Healthcare and Wellness

(ii) Climate Change Resilience and Environment

(iii) Food Security and Agriculture

(iv)Renewable Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change Management

(v)  Culture, Indigenous Languages and Home-Grown Philosophies

(vi) Democracy, Governance and Leadership

(vii) Justice, Peace and Security

AIIKS Cross-cutting Areas:

(i) Gender Mainstreaming

(ii) Social Transformation

(iii) Sustainability

(iv)Research, Innovation and Knowledge Creation

(v) Human Capital Development

(vi) Community Engagement

The AIIKS is systematizing African Indigenous Science, Technology and Innovation in the global knowledge economy through advancing a Theory of Change (see Annexure D) involving the following pillars:

These are meant to:

In order to achieve its vision and mission, the Institute has developed a strategic multi-transdisciplinary Sustainability Action Plan with strategic goals; strategic targets and key performance indicators.  This includes a Strategic Postgraduate Training and Support Programme.  Furthermore, the AIIKS strategically intends to facilitate Africa’s active participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution on its own terms through advancing IKS-Based Digitalization for the Revisioning of the Knowledge Lifecycle.  This will incorporate a paradigm shift of promoting the rich diversity of African indigenous languages and home-grown philosophies as repositories of scientific, innovation, technological, socio-economic and political thought for the attainment and localization of UN SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 (Building The Africa We Want).