Researching Africa’s oceans to support livelihoods

Fishermen working on their nets at Cape Coast in Ghana. Copyright: ~Pyb (CC BY 2.0)

Africa’s oceans are vital for economic growth, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods. But the costs of plastic pollution in our seas are mounting. The World Bank puts the cost of the damage caused by marine plastic pollution at up to US$33,000 per tonne of plastic waste, in West Africa alone. As pollution worsens, researchers say stronger…

Read More

Namibian food project targets protein-rich crops

Assorted beans. Researchers say using biofertilisers and better techniques to produce protein-enriched legumes like beans improves yields, livelihoods and could help combat child malnutrition Copyright: Georgina Smith / CIAT (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

[NAMIBIA] A lack of protein is a major contributor to malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries, where many people’s diets are heavily dependent on staple crops. To tackle this problem in Namibia, researchers started a food and nutrition project to train farmers in the use of a biofertiliser to produce protein-enriched legumes. The project, led by researchers…

Read More

SGCI funding: Researchers’ transformative stories

SGCI funding - Researchers'

Science is not just about discovery, it’s about impact, and SGCI is helping to make this difference happen. The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is enabling researchers across Africa to break down obstacles and transform ideas into life-changing solutions. From transforming agricultural practices in Namibia to developing life-saving technologies in Nigeria and enhancing baking standards…

Read More

Collagen fertiliser is a smart move for Uganda’s coffee

Lead researcher Simon Peter Musinguzi (wearing a cap) during soil sampling in Masaka, central Uganda, where the organic fertiliser has been applied. Copyright: John Musenze / SciDev.Net

[KAMPALA] Ugandan researchers have developed a method to transform the waste generated by leather production into a nutrient-rich agricultural solution for coffee farming. The innovation addresses critical challenges in Uganda’s agricultural sector, by targeting waste management and soil fertility through a scientifically advanced approach to organic fertiliser production. By turning the waste from leather processing…

Read More

Research in action – the Uganda and Malawi success story

Council members at the 2024 Science Granting Councils Initiative forum in Bostwana.

In a demonstration of how research can translate into tangible economic benefits, Uganda and Malawi are yielding impressive results in their lab-to-market drive through a project helping Science Granting Councils turn scientific research into marketable products. The project led by Maurice Bolo, the executive director of the Scinnovent Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, under the Science…

Read More

Connecting research and industry

Ugandan council members in Bostwana.

Imagine a world where groundbreaking research seamlessly translates into everyday solutions, where researchers and businesses meet to turn bright ideas into real-world impact. This is one of the core themes of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) – public-private partnership. Through tailored training and hands-on support, SGCI helps councils see opportunities for research commercialization and…

Read More

Equity in science

Cross section women at the 2024 SGCI conference in Bostwana.

Do you know that SGCI champions gender equity and inclusiveness in science? The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is driving gender equity and inclusiveness in science, technology, and innovation across Africa. Through strategic collaborations, SGCI is making research environments more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Here’s how: Developing a gender equality and inclusivity policy framework –…

Read More

Strengthening STI data for policy impact

A cross-section of participants at the workshop.

The Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) recently hosted a high-impact workshop on strengthening the capacity of African Science Granting Councils in the use of evidence in policy and decision-making (Evi-Pol) under the Science Granting Councils Initiative. The event was held in Cape Town, South Africa. It gathered senior policymakers, data specialists, and…

Read More

Driving Africa’s STI future

The Heads of African Research Councils representatives at the meeting in Accra, Ghana

Exciting developments in African Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) emerged from the recent gathering of African Heads of Research Councils (HORCs) in Accra, Ghana. Strengthening continental collaboration and aligning efforts with the STISA-2034 strategy was the focus of the gathering African Centre for Technology Studies led and coordinated that assignment on behalf of the SGCI.…

Read More