University of Nairobi

The Institute has been influential in development policy thinking in Kenya and the African region by providing research support to the government, the private sector and civil society as well as international development partners. Research findings by scholars at the IDS influence policy-thinking and anchor decision- making in Kenya. For example, IDS pioneered the concept of SMEs in Kenya through its Jua Kali research and policy articulation in the 1980s. IDS also produced the Kenya National Human Development Report for three consecutive years (2002, 2003, and 2004).

QuETT Masire | Former Botswana President

Economy, International Processes and Development

Climate Change, Natural Resources Environment Management Development

Governance and Political Economy of Development

Inclusive Development: Economic and Social Dimensions

The Institute has been home to several Nobel Laureates and world-renowned scholars. These include James Tobin, winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (1981); Joseph Stiglitz, Winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (2000); Michael Todaro, the development economist who authored the Todaro Migration Model; James Coleman, a world-renowned sociologist; Bethwell Ogot, a world renowed historian and co-founder of IDS; and Charles Okidi, the first African recipient of the Elizabeth Haub Prize in Environmental law (1984), the highest Global award in environmental law. Many other international scholars started and built their academic careers at the IDS.

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Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz

Winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (2000). He was a Senior Research Fellow, Social Science Division, Institute for Development Studies, University College, Nairobi (under Rockefeller Foundation Grant), 1969-1971.

Prof. Bethwell Ogot

A world-renowned historian and co-founder of IDS. An author, historian, and scholar, Prof.Ogot is one of Africa's pre-eminent scholars. He specialises in African history, research methods, and theory.