African Science Councils Champion Evidence, Innovation, and Inclusion for Development

-
African Science Councils Champion Evidence, Innovation, and Inclusion for Development

The Evolution of Science Granting Councils in Africa

Science Granting Councils across Africa are undergoing a significant transformation, shifting their focus from merely funding research to actively shaping national and continental policies through evidence-based approaches, accountability, innovation, and inclusion. This change is essential for ensuring that science and technology play a central role in driving Africa’s development agenda. As these councils continue to expand their influence, they are fostering innovation and delivering tangible benefits to society.

This transformation was a key topic during a panel discussion at the 2025 Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Forum held in Accra. Representatives from 17 councils, international funders, and African Union institutions gathered to review lessons learned over the past decade and finalize plans for the next phase of the initiative.

A Decade of Progress

Launched in 2015, the SGCI has been supported by several key partners, including the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF).

The first two phases of the initiative (2015–2025) focused on strengthening African councils in areas such as research management, policy engagement, gender equality, and regional collaboration. These efforts have laid a strong foundation for the upcoming third phase (2026–2030), which will emphasize the delivery of results, policy influence, and African ownership. This phase aligns with the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034).

Rwanda’s Approach to Policy and Innovation

Ms. Esperance Munganyinka, Head of the National Research and Innovation Fund at the National Council for Science and Technology in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of treating policy as a continuous cycle—from design to implementation, monitoring, and revision.

Rwanda revised its Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy in 2020 and has since committed more than eight million dollars to 126 projects, with 80% of the funding coming from the government. To implement this revised policy, the country developed a National Research and Innovation Agenda, which outlines six priority areas: food and security, water and infrastructure, health, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and climate change.

Targeted schemes are supporting women researchers and promoting academia-industry collaboration, while projects are being scaled from proof-of-concept to market-ready innovations. Rwanda has also joined the global “Grand Challenges” family with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Tanzania's Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Ms. Neema Tindamanyire from the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in Tanzania shared how the commission has assessed over 400 projects using its Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework. These assessments led to reforms such as more flexible reporting schedules, targeted calls for environmental research, and the development of a comprehensive national STI data system supported by the World Bank.

Botswana's Digital Transformation

Ms. Lesego M. Thamae of the Ministry of Communication and Innovation in Botswana discussed how her department has turned to digital solutions by introducing a Research Information Management System in 2023. This system helps coordinate funding applications and track research across ministries.

Although the uptake has been slow, the ministry insists that researchers must register on the platform before accessing grants to improve accountability and transparency. “At the click of a button, we should get whatever information we need, which researcher is doing what,” she said.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Focus on Impact and Commercialization

Côte d’Ivoire’s National Research and Innovation Fund (FONSTI) has tightened measures by requiring researchers to submit policy briefs at the end of their projects to ensure findings reach decision-makers. Mr. Armand Coulibaly, Administrative and Finance Director of FONSTI, emphasized that researchers are also being trained in intellectual property protection to strengthen commercialization.

These efforts highlight the growing commitment of African science granting councils to not only fund research but also to ensure that it has real-world impact and contributes to sustainable development across the continent.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Japan Firms Leverage Satellites and AI to Locate Abandoned Homes for Sale

-
Image
The Rise of AI-Powered Real Estate Discovery in Japan In Tokyo, a growing number of Japanese companies are leveraging satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to identify abandoned houses that could be repurposed or sold. This innovative approach is becoming increasingly vital as the country faces a rising number of deserted properties due to its aging population. Where Inc., a startup, offers a service that uses AI trained on tens of thousands of images to detect signs of aging roofs, such as rust and discoloration. These findings are then overlaid on satellite maps, helping users spot properties that may have been left unattended. One of Where Inc.'s users, Kotaro Yasue, recently discovered a two-story wooden house through this service. He was able to contact the owner via a real estate registry. It turned out that the house had been neglected for over a decade, and the owner was unsure how to proceed with its disposal. Yasue, who runs a house rental service company in G...
Read more

GEN Nigeria and Others Target Indigenous Firms with New Tech Fees

-
Image
Empowering Nigerian Entrepreneurs with AI Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria), in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc and other organizations, has called on young entrepreneurs in Nigeria to embrace new technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in their business operations. This initiative was highlighted during the Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue, titled “Building the Future with AI: Technology, Talent, and Transformation Entrepreneurship,” which took place at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Lagos. Dr. Olawale Anifowose, the Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, emphasized that AI has become essential for local enterprises in Nigeria to boost productivity, drive innovation, and enhance competitiveness. According to Anifowose, this can be achieved by automating tasks, personalizing customer experiences through data analysis, and enabling entrepreneurs to develop and scale new products and services more efficiently. Enhancing Efficiency and Produc...
Read more

I Was Healthy Until a Dirty Habit Stopped My Heart

-
Image
A Rare Case of Cannabis-Induced Cardiac Arrest in a Young, Healthy Woman A 26-year-old woman from Georgia experienced a life-threatening cardiac arrest after smoking marijuana. The incident occurred when her fiancé discovered her unconscious on the bathroom floor, prompting immediate emergency medical intervention. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors confirmed that she had suffered a cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stopped beating. The woman had no known pre-existing health conditions and tested negative for heart-related issues such as arrhythmia. However, she was found to have high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the "high" sensation. Doctors diagnosed her with ventricular fibrillation, a severe heart rhythm disorder that prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. This led to what they described as a "cannabis-induced cardiac arrest." This case has rais...
Read more