Posts by Davis Weddi

Here is a recap of stories published in the latest Footprint Newsletter. Across the continent, researchers are working hand in hand with farmers to develop practical solutions that respond to the challenges of food insecurity and climate change. This month’s edition brings you three such stories. From Uganda’s coffee fields to vegetable farms in Kenya…

The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in partnership with the National Research Foundation, South Africa, and the German Research Foundation (DFG), hosted a peer learning visit in Bonn, Germany. The event was held from 8 April to 10 April. SGCI funding partners, collaborating technical agencies, and public funders from 13 countries across Africa were in…

[NAIROBI] For many years, Sammy Ndungu, a smallholder farmer in Kiambu, central Kenya, struggled with low yields due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture. His vegetables, including spinach and African nightshade, often dried up during droughts. But in 2024, things took a brighter turn as researchers from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) introduced…

[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…

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…

[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…

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…

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…

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: By fostering gender-responsive policies and research practices, SGCI is…