SGCI is Strengthening Research Systems in Africa: A Conversation with Cephas Adjei Mensah, Ghana

Cephas Adjei Mensah, Director for Research, Statistics, and Information Management at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI)

African countries are increasingly leveraging regional collaboration to strengthen their research systems and drive socio-economic progress, inspiring hope for the future of the African science community. In an exclusive video interview, Cephas Adjei Mensah, Director for Research, Statistics, and Information Management at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), discusses how Ghana and…

Read More

‘Jolly Frier’ promises healthy future for garri makers

Researchers in Nigeria have developed Jolly Frier, a gas- and solar-powered device to automate garri frying and reduce health risks.

[LAGOS] Nigerian researchers have created a hybrid gas- and solar-powered device that automates the production of the Nigerian staple garri, improving efficiency and reducing health risks for producers. Garri, a granular flour made from cassava, is usually produced using a wood burning stove. This puts those who make it – mostly women and girls –…

Read More

Partnerships key to collaborating for impactful outcomes: A Conversation with Abraham Mathodi, Botswana

African scientists are trying to elevate their global presence through innovative partnerships. Copyright: Image by Freepik In an exclusive video interview, Abraham Mathodi, Acting Deputy Director of Botswana’s Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, discusses the crucial role of partnerships in addressing Africa’s challenges through science. He explains how Botswana benefits from the Science Granting Councils…

Read More

Supporting Science Granting Councils to fund and manage research and innovation projects

Science Granting Councils representatives at SGCI Annual Forum

The Science Granting Councils in Africa are national agencies responsible for funding and promoting research and innovation. Above all, they support scientific development. They do this by allocating resources, fostering collaboration and strengthening research capacities across Africa. Their aim is to boost scientific output and innovation to address societal challenges. In this blog, we review…

Read More

Uganda unlocks value from honey by-product

Bees on a honey comb. Researchers in Uganda have developed high-value propolis products to boost beekeepers' incomes and improve public health. Copyright: Photo by Robert Schmidt (CC0 1.0)

[GABORONE] When Joel Mukwaya, a biologist and post-graduate student at Uganda’s Makerere University, discovered the immune-boosting benefits of tea made from a honey-by product, he immediately sent some to his grandmother. The tea was made with propolis—a resin-like substance bees use when building their hives “I know of propolis tea’s immune-boosting properties and appetite enhancement,”…

Read More

Strengthening national research and innovation funding agencies in West Africa

Senegal SRIFA training workshop for Strengthening national research and innovation

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) have kicked off a series of events to boost research and innovation funding in West Africa. The activities started in Senegal with meetings on fundraising, grant call online management and Public Private Partnership development, among other subjects. The events…

Read More

Wind energy harnessed to solve power shortages in rural Nigeria

[LAGOS] A team of five Nigerian researchers have developed an innovative solution called AirVolt, designed to harness wind energy to generate sustainable electricity for rural communities in northern Nigeria. These areas, often disconnected from the national grid, face significant challenges in accessing essential services such as healthcare, due to unreliable power. Nigeria’s energy landscape has…

Read More

Indigenous plants support nutrition in Southern Africa

Indigenous plants use din making jams and juice

Food recipes developed from indigenous plants and adapted to local climates could improve nutrition and alleviate food shortages in rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers say. The African researchers created products – including jams, juices, syrups, yogurts, and instant soups – using plants such as wild orange, wild medlar, amaranthus, baobab, hibiscus, and violet tree.…

Read More

Mozambique’s new STI policy to drive development

Mozambique minister of science Daniel Nivagara

Mozambique’s new science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy will drive economic growth and sustainable development while addressing societal challenges, researchers say. Approved by Mozambique’s cabinet on 21 May, the policy aims to leverage STI to achieve sustainable development and productivity in Mozambique. “The policy represents the government’s commitment to strengthening and building the requisite scientific…

Read More

Go Data, software to improve malaria surveillance in Burkina Faso

L’outil numérique développé par l’OMS et le Réseau mondial d’alerte et d’action en cas d’épidémie contribue à lutter efficacement contre la maladie. Par : Abdel Aziz Nabaloum L’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et le Réseau mondial d’alerte et d’action en cas d’épidémie (GOARN) ont mis au point un logiciel qui contribue à la surveillance des…

Read More