Posts by Davis Weddi
Côte d’Ivoire boosts research capacity with national training drive
Côte d’Ivoire has taken a significant step towards strengthening its scientific ecosystem, following a three-day capacity-building programme aimed at elevating research standards to the global stage. Held from March 23–25 in San Pedro, the training, led by the Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation (FONSTI) in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of San Pedro, brought…
Read MoreCommunity biogas project reduces waste in Namibia
In Groot Aub, a semi-rural settlement on the outskirts of Windhoek, Namibia, cooking a simple meal once came at a cost of time, money, and health. Firewood smoke-filled kitchens, and households spent significant portions of their income on fuel. For many, firewood alone costs up to N$2,400 a month. For Natangue Shafudah, a senior lecturer…
Read MoreTransforming research funding for gender equity in Africa
Decisions about what gets funded, who receives grants, and which questions are considered worth asking shape the very nature of knowledge. And for too long, those decisions have reflected and reinforced deep inequalities, particularly for women, who make up only 30 per cent of researchers across Africa and remain underrepresented in leadership roles. But a…
Read MoreMicrobes offer path to climate-smart farming
In Namibia’s dry and unpredictable climate, where farmers contend with poor soils and short rainfall seasons, researchers are working to reshape how crops are grown across the country. At the University of Namibia, Moola Nyambe is leading this research with support from the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) through Namibia’s national commission on research, science, and technology. Her team is…
Read MoreTiny satellites help warn communities of deadly floods
Flash floods have become a recurring threat in parts of Namibia, cutting off communities, trapping school children, and, in some cases, leading to fatalities. But a locally led space-tech initiative is working to change that by bringing faster, more precise disaster warnings closer to home. Smita Francis, a senior lecturer at Namibia University of Science…
Read MoreBuilding Africa’s science future: inside the SGCI alliance
As Phase 3 of the Science Granting Councils Initiative launches on the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa last week, the SGCI Alliance Chair explains why this moment marks a decisive turning point for African science. Cephas Adjei Mensah describes what is being set in motion with the SGCI Alliance as a…
Read MoreOpen call: Support for science granting councils in Sub-Saharan Africa
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), through the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), has launched a call for proposals to support science granting councils in Sub-Saharan Africa in the establishment and operationalisation of the Capacity Strengthening Hub under Phase III of the SGCI-3. The Hub will play a central coordinating role in strengthening the research…
Read MoreSGCI phase 3: USD 42M boost for Africa’s STI agenda
It was an exhilarating moment as the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Phase 3 funding announcement was officially made yesterday during the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Week 2026, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The STI Week, organised by AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union and held from 10 to 12 February, brought together ministers, partners,…
Read MoreScience Granting Councils Initiative announce support to Africa’s STI Policy Agenda at African Union Meetings
Press Release Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | February 12, 2026 — Ahead of the Annual Summit of Heads of State at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa this February, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Government of Norway, and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Wellcome (UK), German Research Foundation(DFG) and…
Read MoreKenya’s research fund launches data security training
The National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya has launched a research data security training workshop, highlighting its commitment to strengthening the quality, integrity, and impact of publicly funded research across the country. The workshop convened experts from universities, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and research institutions to build practical skills in safeguarding research data, intellectual property,…
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