The Rift Valley Institute is an independent association based in Kenya and the United Kingdom, founded in 2001 to support research, publishing and educational initiatives in the African Rift Valley region: North-East Africa, the Horn, the Great Lakes, East Africa and South Central Africa.

Fellows of the Institute are recognised specialists from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas, covering a range of scholarly and practical disciplines.

Local knowledge The aim of the Institute is the collection, analysis and dissemination of knowledge concerning Rift Valley Countries - initially Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia (with Puntland and Somaliland)

Action-oriented research is the core activity of the Institute, covering the natural environment, political economy, history, culture and economic development of countries of the region.

Intensive, specialized, short-term courses are planned, for local and expatriate aid workers, peace-keepers, diplomatic staff, journalists, business people and postgraduate students. The courses will take place at a residential field school in East Africa.

A non-profit organization. The Institute is a non-profit organization. Affiliate status is available for non-governmental organizations and other institutions.