The Integrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable City region FOOD Systems in Africa (INCiTiS FOOD) project, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, ID 101083790 at Ksh. 780,540,000.00), aims to enhance Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) in African city regions while mitigating the environmental impact of food systems, through circular practices. By fostering agri-food supply chains and transformative food policies, the project promotes environmental justice and sustainability across communities.

This interdisciplinary initiative integrates innovative technologies, stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, and collaborative partnerships between Europe and Africa to co-create circular agri-food solutions tailored for African cities.

The project focuses on leveraging soilless crop farming (hydroponics), Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and insect farming to address the resource constraints faced by urban populations, particularly youth, women, and marginalized groups. With a multi-actor approach, the project establishes 8 Living Labs (LLs) across 6 countries in East, West, and Central Africa, including Kenya's Kenyatta and Egerton Universities.

The Kenyatta University Living Lab (KU-LL) serves as a dynamic testing ground for sustainable food production prototypes in confined urban spaces. Through a community-based, multi-actor approach, KU-LL engages with youth, women, agri-entrepreneurs, and SMEs to develop simplified prototypes for aquaponics, hydroponics, and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), as well as integrated animal-sourced food systems. Partnering with urban farmers, academic institutions, and local experts, KU-LL ensures the practicality and scalability of innovations in urban agricultural settings.

Aligned with KU's commitment to community engagement, these partnerships foster knowledge exchange and contribute to the success of the INCiTiS-FOOD project. Moreover, KU-LL collaborates with the Chandaria Business and Innovation Centre to support incubating innovators through Open Calls funding, further promoting circular technologies in urban agriculture.

Led by Prof. Grace Wamue-Ngare, KU-LL's team of researchers from the Department of Gender Studies, Agriculture, and Plant Sciences works to improve access to nutritious and affordable foods in Nairobi City and its environs. With ongoing research on Black Soldier Flies (BSF) as a sustainable feed source for Tilapia fish, hydroponic cultivation of indigenous vegetables, and gender analysis within value chains, the project aims to raise awareness and promote the adoption of innovative food production technologies among Nairobi's population.

Kenyatta University Living Lab (KU-LL) has a longstanding collaboration with urban farmers, driven by its dedication to community engagement and sustainable development. Actively seeking partnerships with urban farmers, academic institutions, and local experts, KU-LL addresses food security and environmental sustainability challenges in Nairobi City and its surroundings. Adopting a multi-actor approach, it engages diverse stakeholders including youth, women, agri-entrepreneurs, and SMEs.

KU-LL harnesses local knowledge and expertise from urban farmers to develop and test sustainable food production prototypes in confined urban spaces.

Regular visits to the lab by adopters and reciprocal farm visits by the KU team foster a mutually beneficial ecosystem of knowledge exchange and innovation towards this project.

As an integral part of the broader INCiTiS-FOOD project, KU-LL strengthens its partnerships with urban farmers, underscoring its ongoing commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable urban food systems in Africa.