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The Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation (FONSTI) in Côte d’Ivoire has begun shaping a new strategic direction to strengthen research funding and position science and innovation as key drivers…
The Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation (FONSTI) in Côte d’Ivoire has begun shaping a new strategic direction to strengthen research funding and position science and innovation as key drivers of national development.
During a three-day workshop held in Grand-Bassam from 21–23 July 2026, researchers, government officials, private sector representatives and technical partners worked together to develop FONSTI’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.
The plan will guide the Fund’s activities over the next five years, building on achievements from its first strategic cycle (2021–2025).
Opening the workshop, FONSTI Secretary General, Yaya Sangaré, said the new strategy would provide the institution with an ambitious and practical roadmap to respond to emerging national priorities, including climate resilience, energy transition, digital transformation and demographic change.
He outlined several priorities for the next five years, including expanding competitive research funding, promoting scientific excellence, strengthening national and international partnerships, improving the visibility and impact of research, enhancing the global standing of Ivorian universities, and supporting the next generation of researchers, particularly women scientists.
Representing Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, deputy chief of staff, Djimbala Diakité reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making science, technology and innovation central to the country’s economic transformation.
He praised FONSTI’s growing contribution through competitive funding calls, capacity-building initiatives and collaborative programmes, while encouraging the institution to develop a strategy capable of attracting additional resources and expanding partnerships with the private sector.
The workshop opened with the presentation of the draft Strategic Plan by members of FONSTI’s scientific council, Kra Enoc, Soro Yaya and Konin Sévérin.
Participants then worked in thematic groups to refine priorities covering research funding, institutional governance, partnerships, scientific capacity development, and the commercialisation of research and innovation.
The collaborative discussions resulted in a shared vision for strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s research and innovation ecosystem. Participants endorsed proposals focused on expanding competitive funding opportunities, improving governance and accountability, mobilising new financial resources, strengthening strategic partnerships, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems.
During the closing session, Toh Alain, a member of FONSTI’s board of directors, commended participants for their commitment and constructive engagement throughout the workshop.
He said the collaborative process had produced a strong foundation for a strategic plan that will improve the Fund’s effectiveness and increase its contribution to national research and innovation.
A call to Africa’s research community
The SGCI-STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call encourages African universities, public research organisations and government research institutions to explore the opportunity and begin building or joining eligible research consortia.
The SGCI-STISA-2034 Multilateral Research Call is supported through a partnership of African Science Granting Councils, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Government of Norway, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Wellcome.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by 25 September 2026, with applicants encouraged to use the Research Matchmaking platform to identify potential collaborators and access application guidance.
Visit the link below to learn more about the opportunity, eligibility requirements, and application process:
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Published on 31 July 2026
By Jackie Opara-Fatoye
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