Vision and mission

Who we are

APOPO trains detection rats to enhance life-saving actions.

APOPO is a social enterprise that researches, develops, and deploys detection rat technology for humanitarian purposes. APOPO is a registered charity in Belgium and is headquartered in Tanzania.

Vision and mission

APOPO's vision is to develop appropriate detection technologies, to empower vulnerable communities.
This vision is rooted in a belief that finding local solutions for local problems removes the structural barriers to development.
APOPO's mission is to become the centre of excellence in detection rat technologies, to enhance the impact of life-saving actions.

APOPO utilizes a local resource, the African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) for its detection technology. Using these rats as detectors is advantageous due to their efficiency in this role, and their acute sense of smell. Other benefits include their low cost for husbandry & maintenance, ease of transport and their wide availability. It has also been shown that once trained, they can reliably carry out repetitive tasks. Moreover, it is an appropriate tool since it does not depend on high tech equipment or highly skilled labour, increasing its accessibility in the countries of operation.

APOPO's core values are:

Quality - demonstrating and promoting high standards in research, process, training and execution of detection rat technology;
Empowerment of local people - empowering communities through the provision of access to appropriate technology. Teaching people the skills to solve their own problems with a technology they can master is an essential part of the empowerment process; employment of local people also increases fiscal resources and has a much greater impact on the community;
Social impact - capacity building and skills training of local people, creation of jobs, reduction of the transmission of disease, and prevention and reduction of human suffering, injury and death;
Willingness to learn and act accordingly - experimentation and a culture of innovation, learning from both successes and failures in a participatory collaborative model.

Strategic goals

APOPO's strategic goals articulate the direction of its efforts and achievable aims over the next three years, in which APOPO plans to transition from a project- oriented and time-bound organization to a social enterprise with long-term vision.

APOPO will focus on being the best in detection rat technology and will develop, promote and manage high quality standards to support this. The Centre of Excellence will be the main vessel to implement this focus and stands centrally supported by five other strategies:

The R&D and training strategy will advance best practice research and training programs to maintain the market leadership position.
The implementation strategy will consist of providing detection services and building partnerships to expand operations in sub-Saharan Africa.
The funding strategy is one of diversifying funding to sustain the Centre of Excellence. While APOPO is currently supported by governmental and philanthropic funding, it aims to increase earned income as a service provider to incorporate more sustainable funding streams.
The branding strategy will compliment APOPO's existing public support campaign while also extending outreach to a broader audience to sustain growth and lay the foundation for future work.
APOPO's capacity-building strategy includes leadership governance and management, to support implementation and growth needs.