Africa Sustainability Centre - ASCENT

The need for policymakers and civil societies to harness the full resources of information that exists in public policy research and make available expert knowledge for the development and execution of innovative projects are ASCENT’s commitment. Our solution is to assert ourselves as an influential and prominent African think - tank that encourages governments, civil society and the private sector to creatively associate practical and appropriate solutions to the challenges of their sustainable development, based on new technologies and the universal principle of social justice and equity. Our role is to partner with the governments and people of Africa to quickly and fully realise their commitments in a universal framework of sustainable development, the rule of law, social justice and entrepreneurship. ASCENT is a non-profit entity, an African Think Tank created in 2014. Our headquarter is located in Nairobi, Kenya. A sub-regional headquarter for West Africa is in Bamako, Mali. Our approach is to support the establishment of enabling conditions needed for governments and people to realise their aspirations for a sustainable, prosperous and secure future. We propose to address the mounting problems in Africa vis-à-vis three essential pillars of social transformation (sustainability, the rule of law and empowerment). Through strategic partnerships and local governments and programmes, we intend to create a framework of sustainability that works harmoniously within the socioeconomic climate of the region. Think Tanks can play a role in problem-solving for Africa’s development, with ideas for policy intervention and restoration of harmony between the state, the private sector and civil society. The creation of an institution that integrates economic factors, the rule of law, empowerment and partnership is essential for the advancement of sustainable development. As project co-designers, we work with our partners to contribute to solutions, rather than merely designing what we think is necessary. The aim is to marshal the required global and regional support for an emboldened Africa. Being impact driven, we intend to create programmes and projects ready to stimulate and initiate result-based, impact-oriented opportunities for our stakeholders to engage among themselves and their global counterparts for realising Sustainable Social Progress. We find that states in Africa need assistance in the implementation of both policies and development projects. The pragmatism of our Think Tank facilitates evolution through the sharing of experience, popularisation and transparency essential to SD. In the emerging shifts in the world economic and social order, a young and vibrant African population is steeped in self-belief, and ready to hold the reins as equals over the continent’s vast natural wealth, as well as governments that are increasingly investing in their people, democratic institutions and good governance foretell a future of great promise. Reinforcing this endeavour is a continental value-base that underscores inter-connectedness and cooperation. We recognise the complexity of the human environment and that making changes can only come from the individual or individuals working in a collective community, encouraged and stimulated by government policies and actions.