Senegal
Science Granting Council
Summary
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) of Senegal develops and implements national policies in higher education, research and innovation, aimed at promoting scientific and technology of the country.
Council details
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.
Impact we’re having
Stories of change
Low-tech health app engages
Five years after its launch, PENSA – a mobile app developed in Mozambique— has been accessed by…
SGCI funded projects
10 research projects transforming sweet potato, cassava and moringa in Burkina Faso
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils
Senegal’s scientific solutions combat health, food challenges
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research: Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils
Research and Resources
Related News
STISA-2034: Councils drive access to Africa’s research opportunity
For a continental research opportunity to deliver impact, researchers need to know whether they are eligible, understand how the opportunity fits their work, find the right partners, and navigate the application process. This is where Africa’s Science Granting Councils have a critical role to play….
How Africa’s STI partnerships and co-investment drive lasting impact
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) in Africa are critical to the continent’s future development and growth. From strengthening skills and institutions to applying science in industry, research goals are interconnected and build on one another. Under STISA-2034, no single institution, funder, or country can deliver…
Namibia’s young innovators showcase solutions at Falling Walls Lab
Namibia’s young innovators are developing practical solutions to some of the country’s pressing challenges, from improving mobility for people with visual impairments to finding ways of storing solar energy for use when sunlight is unavailable. These ideas were showcased at the Falling Walls Lab Namibia…
