Nairobi, Kenya
August 23-26, 2026
Retreat 3
In late August 2026, the Africa POWER Consortium held its third retreat in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by IDinsight and AFIDEP - and it was our most productive gathering yet. Over four days, we reviewed progress on our existing seed projects and, working through a structured process of concept notes and project mapping, identified five new seed projects to support through the Consortium’s flexible incubation funding. We also used the retreat to identify potential new partners in Nairobi’s vibrant research and policy community, laying the groundwork for future collaborations beyond our five founding institutions.
Five new seed projects and a plan for what comes next
In late August 2026, the Africa POWER Consortium held its third retreat in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by IDinsight and AFIDEP - and it was our most productive gathering yet.
Over four days, we reviewed progress on our existing seed projects and, working through a structured process of concept notes and project mapping, identified five new seed projects to support through the Consortium’s flexible incubation funding. We also used the retreat to identify potential new partners in Nairobi’s vibrant research and policy community, laying the groundwork for future collaborations beyond our five founding institutions.
A central focus of this retreat was the Consortium’s long-term
sustainability. We had substantive discussions on our funding strategybeyond our founding Hewlett grant, on a partnership model for bringing in new institutions through seed projects - with organizations like the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) and APHRC among those we’re in active conversation with - and on what a lasting core-support strategy for the Secretariat should look like as the Consortium grows. We also hosted a funders’ meeting in Nairobi and met with the Columbia Global Center there to explore how the Center’s local networks and resources could support our work in Kenya.As with our past retreats, the Nairobi gathering closed with time to reflect on what’s working well for the Consortium and where we want to grow - and, this time, with a concrete slate of new projects to carry forward.
