STISA-2034: Artificial intelligence for Africa’s development

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way countries respond to complex development challenges, offering new opportunities to improve healthcare, strengthen food systems, expand economic opportunities, and enhance public service delivery.

Researchers are increasingly applying AI and digital technologies to address local priorities, creating solutions that are both innovative and grounded in the continent’s unique realities.

To accelerate this momentum, the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) has made Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Development one of the five strategic thematic areas under its SGCI–STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call.

The Call is supported through a partnership of African Science Granting Councils, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Government of Norway, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Wellcome.

The initiative seeks to support Africa-led research that harnesses AI and digital innovation to generate practical solutions with lasting social and economic impact while strengthening the continent’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

The call encourages African universities, public research organisations and government research institutions to work together in multi-country research consortia that combine expertise from across disciplines.

SGCI aims to generate evidence that advances scientific knowledge, informs policy and contributes to sustainable development across the continent. This collaborative approach reflects the understanding that many of Africa’s development challenges are shared and require coordinated, Africa-led responses.

Research under the AI stream is expected to focus on developing digital solutions that respond to real-world challenges while strengthening AI skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The initiative places particular emphasis on ensuring that technological advances benefit vulnerable and underserved communities, recognising that inclusive innovation is essential to achieving the aspirations of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034). The call supports research that delivers tangible development outcomes and helps build stronger, more resilient innovation systems.

Researchers interested in this priority area are encouraged to begin forming multi-country partnerships and to make use of the SGCI Research Matchmaking platform to identify collaborators, explore eligibility requirements and access the application process.

Through this initiative, SGCI is investing in African research leadership and creating opportunities for institutions across the continent to develop innovative AI solutions that can improve lives, influence policy and contribute to Africa’s long-term development agenda.

Eligible institutions are encouraged to explore the call early, build strong partnerships, and submit proposals that demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence can help address Africa’s most pressing development challenges.

Expressions of Interest for the SGCI–STISA 2034 Multilateral Research Call close on 25 September 2026 at 23:59 EDT.

Visit the link below to learn more about the opportunity, eligibility requirements, and application process:

https://call.sgci.africa

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Published on 27 July 2026

By Jackie Opara-Fatoye