Appropriate technology (AT) is technology that is designed with special consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. With these goals in mind, AT typically requires fewer resources, is easier to maintain, has a lower overall cost and less of an impact on the environment compared to industrialized practices. Most importantly, Appropriate Technology is technology to empower people.

The INAT is the work of a group of academics and practitioners promoting technology to empower people that started with a national symposium on appropriate technology held at Howard University in 1998. We have conducted ten international conferences, three Howard University symposia, various projects and presentations. These events have generated a climate of curriculum and technology innovation conducive to further expansion of our network. This laid the groundwork for a broader international conference and appropriate technology fair. African progress is needed to ensure that there is peace and prosperity. In that regard, the 11th conference organized by University of South Africa (UNISA) for 2024, is under the theme: "Building Sustainable Rural and Urban Cities for Economic Growth, Enhancing Health and Eradicating Poverty".