SGCI News
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) Namibia and the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research collaboration…
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) Namibia and the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research collaboration between the two countries.
The agreement was signed during the 13th annual meeting of the Global Research Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 18 May to 22 May.
At the signing ceremony, Anicia Peters, NCRST CEO, said: “Signing this MoU at the GRC underscores our joint commitment to building a cohesive African research ecosystem capable of delivering globally relevant impacts.”

According to Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, NRF CEO, through partnership, they will accelerate cutting-edge research and cultivate the next generation of researchers and scientists across our continent.
Building frameworks for collaboration
The MoU establishes a framework for extensive cooperation across multiple disciplines.
The partnership will launch joint research initiatives to tackle the most pressing challenges facing both nations and the broader African continent.
The collaboration specifically targets critical areas, including energy solutions, digital health innovations, sustainable agro-food systems, and advancing space science.
The partnership will also create pathways for meaningful human capital development where researchers, students, and institutional staff from both countries will benefit from exchange programs that provide access to advanced research infrastructure and comprehensive support systems.
The partnership aims to extend its reach through established international frameworks, particularly the Science Granting Councils Initiative and other global networks, to ensure that capacity-building efforts benefit from proven methodologies and international best practices, amplifying the impact of local initiatives.
Research chairs and awards
Another significant aspect of the collaboration involves establishing bilateral research chairs, which will be hosted at institutions in both countries.
The partnership will also introduce joint researcher rating and award mechanisms to recognise and celebrate research excellence across both nations.
The agreement serves as a model for how African nations can leverage their collective strengths to deliver research outcomes that will benefit not only Namibia and South Africa but also contribute to solving challenges facing the entire continent and beyond.
Please check out the stories and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!
Let’s continue the conversation on our social media
Follow us on LinkedIn
Published on 11 June 2025
Written by Jackie Opara
Related News
A gender project is bridging gaps in research and evaluation in Ghana
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…
Unlocking stronger food systems with African research
[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…
Invasive lake weed turned to clean energy in Ethiopia
[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…
Research and Resources



SGCI funded projects
Zambia’s top researchers pioneer solutions for climate resilience, food security, economic growth
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils