Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de I’Innovation (Senegal)

The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) is the lead agency in Senegal responsible for shaping national policies in higher education, scientific research and innovation. It plays a central role in strengthening the country’s research and innovation ecosystem by ensuring science and technology contribute meaningfully to economic growth and social wellbeing.

MESRI focuses on advancing Senegal’s knowledge economy by aligning research initiatives with the country’s development goals. These include improving human capital, promoting sustainable economic transformation, and enhancing governance and institutional capacity.

Advancing Science Through the SGCI

As a member of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), MESRI is helping transform the research landscape in Senegal. Under the SGCI, MESRI is currently funding eleven national research projects aimed at tackling critical health and food-related challenges. These projects support priority development themes such as structural economic transformation, social protection, sustainable development, peace, security, and institutional strengthening.

Through this partnership, MESRI is also strengthening research management, grant administration, and the uptake of research results in ways that directly impact communities.

Driving Regional Collaboration and Impact

Senegal is also among three SGCI member countries participating in a cross-border initiative that supports ten collaborative research projects. These projects aim to transform crops such as sweet potato, cassava and moringa into high-value products that boost food security and economic opportunity.

The research covers key focus areas, including industrialisation and manufacturing, sustainable economies and societies, emerging technologies and development, and the social sciences and humanities. The initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Fonds National de la Recherche et de l’Innovation pour le Développement (Burkina Faso) and the Fonds pour la Science, la Technologie et l’Innovation (Côte d’Ivoire).

Strengthening Senegal’s Innovation Ecosystem

MESRI’s active participation in the SGCI reflects Senegal’s commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation as tools for sustainable development. By supporting local and regional research partnerships, MESRI is positioning Senegal as a leader in evidence-based policy, innovation, and applied science for societal benefit.