SGCI News
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) will hold its 2025 All Partners Forum and Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034) advocacy meeting in Accra, Ghana. The meeting…
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) will hold its 2025 All Partners Forum and Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034) advocacy meeting in Accra, Ghana.
The meeting will reflect on lessons and capture recommendations for the next phase.
The Forum will take place from 15–19 September at Labadi beach hotel.
It coincides with the Initiative’s 10th anniversary under the theme “SGCI @10: Marking a decade of Partnership, Growth, and Transformation in Support of Africa’s Development.”
Launched in 2015, SGCI has supported 17 Science Granting Councils in sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen research management, policy engagement, gender equality and inclusion, and regional collaboration.
Backed by FCDO (UK), IDRC (Canada), NRF-SA (South Africa), Sida (Sweden), Norad (Norway), and DFG (Germany), the Initiative has helped Councils build stronger and more resilient science, technology, and innovation systems.
The 2025 Forum will bring together Councils, funders, African Union institutions, and partners to reflect on lessons from Phase II (2018–2025) and finalise the design of Phase III (2026–2030).
The next phase will focus on capacity-building efforts to deliver greater research and innovation outcomes, stronger policy influence, and African ownership.
The week-long programme is structured around three main blocks.
The first day will focus on Phase III programming and implementation strategy in a closed session for Heads of Councils and funders.
Days two and three will highlight lessons from Phase II through open sessions showcasing stories of change, achievements in research and innovation, gender equality and inclusivity, digital grant systems, and policy influence.
Days four and five will be organised in partnership with the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD. Discussions will focus on the role of Councils in implementing STISA-2034.
Delegates will address funding, regional and domestic strategies, new alliances, and contributions to Africa’s priorities in health, agriculture, energy, ICTs, and environment.
The Forum will also feature the launch of the SGCI tenth anniversary magazine, a commemorative publication highlighting a decade of partnership and impact.
It will close with a roadmap for action, a high-level communiqué, and excursions hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology.
The Accra Forum is expected to position Councils as key drivers of Africa’s science, technology, and innovation agenda over the next decade.
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
Published on 12 September 2025
Related News
SGCI 2026: Strengthening science granting councils for leadership
As African countries confront increasingly complex development challenges ranging from climate change and health security to food systems, digital transformation, and economic diversification, the need for strong, responsive national science funding institutions has never been more urgent. Science granting councils sit at the centre of…
In case you missed it: Stories driving science impact across Africa
As the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) prepares to roll out a new phase of activities, we revisit some of our most-read stories highlighting how stronger research systems, innovation, and climate-resilient science are delivering impact across Africa. From strengthening national research systems and financing mechanisms…
Towards 2026: African innovations pointing to what comes next
As we step into 2026, research-driven innovation continues to shape how communities respond to long-standing development challenges, from health and food security to climate resilience, jobs, and sustainable industry. Backed by the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), these projects show how local science, when aligned…
SGCI funded projects
Rwanda’s integrated approach to sustainable agriculture and nutrition
Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research Number of Projects being funded Project Duration Grant Amount In-Kind Distribution Council Collaboration with other councils
