The establishment of the Princeton–African School of Economics Research (PASER) Hub at Tom Mboya University, Ndhiwa Campus, represents a major contribution marks the beginning of East Africa’s contribution to the continent’s a continent-wide knowledge network. As the first PASER Hub in East Africa the region, Kenya will serve as a gateway for linking local innovation with the broader Pan-African agenda for sustainable development.
A Pan-African Vision
The PASER initiative is spearheaded by Professor Leonard Wantchekon, James Madison Professor of Political Economy at Princeton University and Founder of the African School of Economics (ASE). The Ndhiwa Hub joins a growing network across the continent—including ASE Zanzibar—forming a collaborative infrastructure for knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
Speaking at Tom Mboya University, Prof. Wantchekon stressed that Africa’s transformation will come not from imported solutions, but from home-grown, evidence-based models. He urged leaders to emulate development paths similar to those of South Korea, China, and Brazil—anchored in science, governance, and local empowerment.
For Prof. Wantchekon, who began as a pro-democracy activist in Benin before founding ASE, PASER Hubs are part of a lifelong mission to link knowledge, freedom, and development. “These hubs,” he noted, “are not just academic projects—they are instruments of liberation, empowering municipalities to take control of their destinies.”
Kenya’s Strategic Role
Hosted by Tom Mboya University (TMU) under Vice Chancellor Prof. Charles Ochola, the Hub will directly serve TMU’s 15,000 students, enabling them to drive research, entrepreneurship, and social progress. municipal innovation.
A public–private partnership between Ndhiwa Municipality and DHA East Africa Ltd. brought TMU and ASE together as technical partners. This model reflects Kenya’s Urban Support Program (KUSP2), Result Area 4, which prioritizes stronger private sector engagement in municipal growth.
The research agenda at the Hub Research at the Hub will address includes climate-smart agriculture, regenerative practices, urban planning, and ecosystem restoration, providing solutions for Kenya and beyond. By linking students, researchers, and municipal leaders, the Hub will become a testing ground for innovations that can be scaled continent-wide.
Local Commitment, Continental Impact
The PASER Hub was formally introduced during the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, held at the new Tom Mboya University Knowledge Hub. Representing Governor Hon. Gladys Wanga, County Secretary Prof. Bernard Muok highlighted the power of science and technology in solving rural development challenges.
Stakeholders reinforced this vision:
- Prof. Gordon Nguka, Chairman of Ndhiwa Municipality, emphasized the value of public–private partnerships in local transformation.
- Dr. Daniel Mutegi, CEO of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, noted that knowledge-driven governance strengthens social integration.
- Eng. Brian Stephenson, CEO of DHA East Africa Ltd., stressed the role of smart planning in achieving the UN’s 17 SDGs.
- Hon. Martin Owino, MP for Ndhiwa, called the Hub “an idea, not just a building,” positioning it as a legacy of Tom Mboya’s vision for empowering future generations.
Connecting Africa’s Future
The Ndhiwa Hub’s greatest strength lies in its connection to a continental network. By sharing research across hubs in Nigeria, Benin, Zanzibar, Kenya, and other sites under development, PASER is creating a Pan-African knowledge economy where ideas and innovations can move freely across borders.
This integration ensures that local experiments in governance and agriculture are not isolated but become part of Africa’s collective advancement. From water security in East Africa to urban planning in West Africa, the PASER model positions municipalities as drivers of continental growth.
The PASER Hub at Ndhiwa is more than a milestone for Homa Bay County—it is a blueprint for Africa’s future. By bringing together universities, municipalities, and private partners, it demonstrates how research-driven governance can unlock local development. prosperity from the ground up.
“Africa’s sovereignty and prosperity will be built at the grassroots—powered by science, technology, and strategic partnerships.” — Prof. Leonard Wantchekon
