HSRC pushes for inclusive research systems at SGCI gender summit

HSRC pushes for inclusive research systems at SGCI gender summit

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) hosts the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) learning summit and calls for a more inclusive research landscape. The event marked the culmination of a three-year project aimed at embedding gender equity and inclusivity into funding practices across 13 African countries. The summit, which took…

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SGCI-funded research wins science prize in Côte d’Ivoire

SGCI funded research winner Kouakou with his award

A Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) funded research has earned national recognition in Côte d’Ivoire. The winner, Rodrigue Adjoumani Kouakou, is the assistant professor of chemistry, physics, and process engineering at the Training and Research Unit for Fundamental and Applied Sciences (UFR SFA) of Nangui Abrogoua University (Abidjan). He received the SGCI funding through The…

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Namibia takes lead on ethical AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape the global landscape, Namibia is positioning itself as a continental frontrunner in building ethical, inclusive, and well-governed AI systems.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape the global landscape, Namibia is positioning itself as a continental frontrunner in building ethical, inclusive, and well-governed AI systems. A key milestone was the official launch of the Namibian AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) report presented by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), at the…

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A gender project is bridging gaps in research and evaluation in Ghana

Ghana SGC project bridging gender gap in research

Ghana is addressing critical issues in the country’s research landscape by bridging gender gaps in research and evaluation through a gender project. The Ghana Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, a Science Granting Council is leading the gender project called EQUISTEM. The EQUISTEM project tackles particular issues that are highly relevant to the local context…

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Unlocking stronger food systems with African research

Addis market

[SciDevNet]  The 2025 Global Food Policy Report warns that the world could be heading toward another major food crisis. For Africa, the warning is especially urgent. Across the continent, food systems are under pressure from climate change, economic shocks, and political instability. These overlapping challenges are making it harder for governments to respond to rising…

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Invasive lake weed turned to clean energy in Ethiopia

Fishermen on a lake infested with water hyacinth

[ADDIS ABABA, SciDevNet] For years, Fentie Wabi worked as a fisherman on Ethiopia’s Lake Tana, until an aggressive green invader changed everything. Water hyacinth, a fast-spreading aquatic weed, began choking the lake that had sustained his community. “As the weed expanded, we couldn’t ride our boats. It damaged our nets, and we couldn’t fish in…

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Cocoa fermenting box reaps rewards for Uganda’s farmers

Abubaker Kisekka, chairman of the Namuganga Agalyawamu Cocoa Growers Association, demonstrates a new cocoa fermenting device to Joseph Mulindwa, a food scientist at Uganda's National Coffee Research Institute. Crdeit: John Musenze / SciDev.Net

[KAMPALA, SciDev.Net] In Kasawo, north of Kampala, cocoa farmer Abubaker Kisekka no longer climbs atop towering wooden boxes to tend his beans. A locally-made innovation for fermenting cocoa beans has replaced the laborious routine of manually transferring them between multiple containers every 48 hours. “Our cocoa now is bought as premium when we sell directly…

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Leather training project doubles artisan profits in Kenya

Leather training at Rukira Training Centre in Nyeri County

[NAIROBI] Erastus Kagume, a young leather artisan from Nyandarua County in Kenya, relied on poor-quality leather from brokers to make school shoes, an issue that hurt his business and reputation. “My customers would come back complaining about the shoes soon after they purchased them,” Kagume said. That changed when he joined a training programme to…

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Kenya’s research festival is bringing science to the people

As Kenya's premier research funding body, NRF Kenya is playing an important role in simplifying science for Kenyans through the Kenya National Research Festival, KNRF.

With a mandate to mobilise resources for research, capacity development, dissemination of findings, and science for sustainable national development, the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya stands as a cornerstone of the country’s research ecosystem. As Kenya’s premier research funding body, NRF Kenya is playing an important role in simplifying science for Kenyans through the Kenya…

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Rwanda council drives science and innovation for development

Rwanda council - SGCI

The National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) is dedicated to transforming Rwanda into a nation powered by science, technology, and innovation. Their focus is on leveraging tools to promote social welfare, drive sustainable socio-economic development, and enhance Rwanda’s competitiveness in the global marketplace through strategic partnerships, implementing capacity-building initiatives, and supporting groundbreaking research. NCST…

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