Networking Africa’s Science Granting Councils: Improving Research and Innovation

The report Networking Africa’s Science Granting Councils shares how African science councils worked together to improve research and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Led by the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and the Scinnovent Centre, this project ran from 2017 to 2020 under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI).

Science Granting Councils (SGCs) are public institutions that fund research and help turn knowledge into policies and practices. However, many of these councils lacked strong networks and faced challenges in working with one another and other science stakeholders. This project aimed to address this issue by fostering stronger partnerships among councils, researchers, governments, and the private sector.

What Was Done

Over three years, the project hosted key events, including Annual Regional Meetings (ARMs) and Annual Forums (AFs), across Africa. These events became platforms where council leaders shared experiences, tackled challenges, and planned joint actions. The meetings helped councils learn from each other and explore new ways to fund and manage research.

Researchers also produced eleven high-quality publications, including policy briefs, papers, and journal articles on topics such as public-private partnerships, open science, and funding innovation in Africa. These materials sparked important conversations and led to real changes in several countries.

Real-World Results

Thanks to this project, countries such as Uganda, Malawi, and Mozambique have launched new strategies to fund research and support innovation. Councils revised their policies, built closer ties with universities and industry, and promoted open science. The knowledge shared helped shape national research agendas and influenced science policy across the continent.

A Path Forward

The report shows that collaboration works. It highlights the value of continued support for African-led research and the importance of councils speaking with a united voice. By working together, Africa’s science councils are building stronger, more connected research systems for sustainable development.