From research to policy action

For decades, Africa’s drylands have been viewed through the lens of crisis—drought, food insecurity and humanitarian need. But beyond these challenges are landscapes that support millions of pastoralists and farmers, sustain important livestock economies and hold enormous potential for climate resilience, economic growth and sustainable development. Changing this narrative is at the heart of a growing partnership between the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Lukenya University and EdSource Africa. What began as a shared interest in strengthening dryland research and policy engagement has evolved into a collaboration connecting science, education, policy and practice. Together, the three institutions are building platforms that generate knowledge while helping ensure that evidence reaches policymakers, investors, practitioners and communities. The goal is not simply to produce research, but to turn knowledge into action.

Building a platform for change

A major expression of this collaboration is the annual Dryland Agriculture and Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change Conference. Since the inaugural conference at the ILRI campus in Nairobi in 2024, the forum has brought together researchers, policymakers, development partners, private-sector actors and community representatives to examine the challenges and opportunities facing dryland regions. For EdSource Africa, the partnership was driven by a fundamental question: how can dryland agriculture and food systems receive the attention, investment and coordinated action they deserve? The answer has increasingly been to create spaces where different forms of expertise can meet. The conference has therefore evolved beyond an annual event into a wider ecosystem for dialogue and collaboration around climate resilience, livestock development, food security, sustainable land use and inclusive economic growth.

“The success of our partnership with Lukenya University and ILRI demonstrates that transforming dryland food systems requires more than individual projects or institutions. It requires long-term collaboration, shared ownership, and a commitment to working across sectors,” says Priscilla Kerebi, Managing Director of EdSource Africa.

The partnership is also creating opportunities for researchers and students. Through technical mentorship, joint scientific engagements, networking and collaborative research, academic staff, postgraduate students and young researchers are gaining opportunities to work alongside internationally recognized scientists while contributing to research addressing challenges facing dryland communities.

Turning research into practical solutions

At the heart of the partnership is a commitment to generating practical solutions that can strengthen livelihoods while restoring the landscapes on which dryland communities depend. One example is joint research by Lukenya University and ILRI on the role of indigenous Acacia species in dryland production systems. The multidisciplinary research is examining how these trees can contribute simultaneously to livestock nutrition, soil restoration, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, bee forage production and household incomes. This approach demonstrates the potential of agroforestry to deliver multiple benefits rather than treating environmental restoration and livelihood development as separate agendas. The collaboration also builds on Lukenya University’s 10 million Trees Initiative, launched following the Youth Pastoralists’ Workshop in 2022, with an ambition to grow ten million trees over ten years. By combining ILRI’s expertise in livestock systems, rangeland ecology and climate-smart agriculture with Lukenya University’s strengths in community engagement and applied research, the partnership is generating evidence with potential relevance for both development practice and policy.

“The ILRI-Lukenya partnership has enhanced our research capacity, strengthened institutional visibility, generated practical solutions for dryland communities, and created enduring platforms for knowledge generation and policy influence,” says Dr Judith Wafula, Acting Vice Chancellor of Lukenya University.

From evidence to policy and investment

Perhaps the most significant evolution in the partnership has been its deliberate effort to connect research with policy and investment. This was evident during the Diplomatic and Development Partners Dialogue held at ILRI headquarters in Nairobi in April 2026. Convened by EdSource Africa and Lukenya University and hosted by ILRI, the dialogue brought together government, development agencies, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, civil society and private-sector representatives to explore the future of Africa’s drylands. The dialogue resulted in a position paper, Repositioning Drylands in Africa: From Vulnerability to Strategic Investment and Resilience (2026–2030). Its central message is that drylands should not be viewed primarily as recipients of humanitarian assistance, but as potential strategic investment frontiers capable of contributing to economic growth, resilience and food security. The paper highlights the importance of addressing fragmented financing, weak coordination, governance challenges and barriers facing women and youth. It calls for coordinated action to de-risk dryland economies, strengthen cross-border governance, catalyse enterprise development and expand investment in climate-smart agriculture and pastoral systems. The process also involved engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, demonstrating how collaborative platforms can create pathways for scientific evidence to contribute to national development priorities.

Looking towards IYRP and beyond

The partnership’s work comes at an important moment, as the world marks the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2026. Its research, policy engagement and stakeholder networks are helping raise the visibility of pastoral and dryland systems at a time when governments and development partners are seeking sustainable approaches to climate adaptation and food systems transformation. Looking ahead, the partners see opportunities to deepen work on regenerative agriculture, climate-smart livestock systems, sustainable agroforestry, ecosystem restoration, pastoral livelihoods, nutrition-sensitive food systems and One Health. The broader lesson from the collaboration is clear: transforming drylands requires more than research alone. It requires partnerships that connect knowledge to policy, investment and action.

By bringing together scientific expertise, academic capacity, policy engagement and development practice, ILRI, Lukenya University and EdSource Africa are helping shift the conversation around Africa’s drylands—from landscapes defined primarily by vulnerability to landscapes with significant potential for resilience, innovation and sustainable development.