How do political economy factors influence the evolution of science funding in SSA

Science and innovation are key to Africa’s future. But in many sub-Saharan African countries, funding for science, technology, and innovation (STI) remains low, uncertain, and heavily shaped by political and economic factors. A recent policy brief, “How Do Political Economy Factors Influence the Evolution of Science Funding in Sub-Saharan Africa?”, explores how politics, funding structures, and institutional power dynamics shape science funding across the region.

The brief, developed as part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), examines five countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania – and identifies the opportunities and obstacles science granting councils (SGCs) face in supporting STI for national development.

Why Science Funding Matters

Science funding isn’t just about budgets—it’s also about who sets the agenda, whose priorities get funded, and how decisions are made. While regional governments have committed to boosting science spending, overall funding levels remain low. As a result, SGCs often struggle to fund research that meets national goals, build scientific capacity, or support long-term innovation.

Key Findings

The policy brief reveals five significant challenges influencing science funding in the region:

1. Lack of Autonomy and Ownership

National SGCs often lack enough control over their own funding or priorities. They must balance government demands, donor preferences, and limited budgets. In some countries, councils are just implementers, while in others, they also shape policy, creating confusion about their role.

2. Competing Priorities

Most funding still goes to health and agriculture. Other critical areas like climate change, energy, and ICT are growing in importance but remain underfunded. Meanwhile, the focus on publishing “excellent” science, measured through academic outputs, can sideline socially relevant research or capacity-building.

3. Weak Private Sector Engagement

Although there is growing interest in private sector partnerships, few companies fund science in sub-Saharan Africa. Convincing them requires better communication, clear benefits, and stronger collaboration. Some countries don’t engage the private sector at all.

4. Disconnect Between National and Regional Funders

Regional science programmes are growing, but often their goals don’t match national priorities. Without coordination, funding gets duplicated—or worse, misaligned. National SGCs need more support to align with both regional and global funders.

5. Capacity Constraints

Many countries lack enough well-trained researchers. Universities often focus more on teaching than research, and researchers may prefer international opportunities over local grants. This affects the quality and quantity of research output and limits the councils’ ability to deliver on their goals.

What Can Be Done to Support Science Funding?

The brief suggests several ways to move forward:

• Boost Local Ownership: National SGCs should lead in setting funding agendas. Donors can support this by aligning with national strategies and helping to build internal capacity.
• Diversify Partnerships: Engaging the private sector, civil society, and international funders can open new funding channels and make science more responsive to real-world problems.
• Coordinate Funding Better: Regional and national funders must work together to avoid overlaps and ensure that science investments are effective and aligned.
• Focus on Impact: Instead of only funding science for publication, funders should also support research that addresses local challenges and builds long-term capacity.
• Support Policy Dialogue: SGCI and other initiatives can help by bringing together funders, policymakers, researchers, and communities to discuss what kind of science Africa needs and how to fund it.

A Way Forward for SGCI

The SGCI plays a key role in helping SGCs navigate these complex challenges. It can:

• Facilitate evidence sharing and policy dialogue
• Track how SGCs are funded and governed
• Promote innovative partnerships with donors and private funders
• Build support for inclusive and sustainable science systems across the continent.

To Summarise

This policy brief highlights that science funding in sub-Saharan Africa is not just about money but politics, partnerships, and priorities. By understanding these political economy factors, funders and councils can work together to create stronger, more inclusive science systems that truly support national development.