During the 1980s, Africa saw the rise of two key networks: the Eastern and Southern Africa Technology Policy Studies (EATPS) and the Western Africa Technology Policy Studies (WATPS). By 1994, the African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) network was inaugurated as a secretariat within the International Development Research Centre’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office. In 2001, ATPS evolved into an independent international entity with diplomatic recognition in Kenya. While retaining a science and technology policy focus, it has graduated to the STI centre of excellence and Knowledge for Development network in Africa. As it has evolved, so has its approach to capacity building, research, training, communication and outreach, and partnerships.

The core objective of ATPS has been to develop a pool of skilled researchers focused on technology policy issues in Africa. This expertise is crucial for crafting policies that are relevant to the continent’s specific technological needs and ultimately contribute to positive socio-economic development for its people.

Today, the ATPS has over 5000 members and 5000 stakeholders in over 51 countries in 5 continents with institutional partnerships worldwide. We implement our programs through members in national chapters established in 30 countries (27 in Africa and 3 Diaspora chapters in Australia, United States of America, and United Kingdom) with its secretariat in Nairobi Kenya.

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is recognized as a premier global and African think tank, demonstrating strong and consistent performance in the 2021 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report against over 11,175 cataloged institutions. Globally, ATPS achieved exceptional competitiveness for a Global South-based organization, securing the 10th place worldwide in the Top Science & Technology Think Tank category, reaffirming its leadership in STI policy research. The organization also ranked 5th worldwide among think tanks with an Annual Operating Budget of less than US$5M, and placed within the global Top 20 for Best Trans-disciplinary Research Think-Tank (10th), Best Think-Tank Network (13th), Best Regional Studies Centre (14th), Best Institutional Collaboration (15th), and Best Advocacy Campaign (19th). This performance confirms ATPS’s institutional maturity, effective management, and high collaborative capacity on a global scale.

Within Africa, ATPS dominates the continental rankings, consistently appearing in the Top 3 across nearly all categories. The network holds the 1st place in Africa for Top Science and Technology Think Tank, Best Managed Think-Tank, Best Think-Tank Network, and Think Tank with the Best Use of the Internet. It also secured 2nd place in Africa for Best Advocacy Campaign, Best Institutional Collaboration, and Think-Tank with the Most Significant Impact on Public Policy. These high African rankings illustrate ATPS’s strong governance, digital communication capabilities, influence in policy, and success in multi-disciplinary research, positioning it as one of the continent’s most impactful and strategically managed knowledge institutions.