Africa | ScienceGeist

Innovation

Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change

Many of Africa's most powerful innovations are not being measured correctly.

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Building Bridges Between Knowledge Production and Policy Decision-making

Science Policy

Building Bridges Between Knowledge Production and Policy Decision-making

Last May, scientists, political figures and members of Senegalese civil society met in Dakar to discuss the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. At the core of the discussions was the national structuring of science-policy interfaces, spaces for exchange between two worlds that sometimes struggle to agree. This provided an opportunity to talk with Astou Camara, a researcher at the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA), about the need to more effectively connect research and policy.

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The Importance of Funding and Investment to Strengthen Data Science in Africa

Research Data

The Importance of Funding and Investment to Strengthen Data Science in Africa

The authors explore the underutilization of data science (DS) to improve health outcomes in Africa and advocate for increased, strategic investment in DS infrastructure, talent development, and research funding.

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EU Launches Science Grants Worth €500m for Africa

Funding

EU Launches Science Grants Worth €500m for Africa

Horizon Europe calls will support green transition, health and innovation.

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Africa's Quantum Leap

Quantum Computing

Africa's Quantum Leap

Several African countries have already made their mark on global research in quantum technologies.

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AI, data science set to transform global health in Africa

Public Health

AI, data science set to transform global health in Africa

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Africa's Dynamic Future is an Opportunity for European Universities

Africa's Dynamic Future is an Opportunity for European Universities

Africa is set for remarkable progress and transformation. Central to this development is the need to enhance higher education and research capacities across the continent and the European academic community has a unique opportunity.

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Lessons from Africa's First Institute for Advanced Study

Lessons from Africa's First Institute for Advanced Study

A group of recent Fellows of the Stellenbosch IAS reflect on its unique research environment and how it inspires an African approach to global scientific challenges.

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Publications

I Want to Ensure That Africans Take Part in the AI Revolution

I Want to Ensure That Africans Take Part in the AI Revolution

Vukosi Marivate learnt that communities, not just superstar individuals, can open doors in artificial intelligence.

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Africa's 'bold Generation' See Bright Future at Home

Education

Africa's 'bold Generation' See Bright Future at Home

They see themselves as the "bold generation" and the "conscious youth" of the African continent. AFP met six African students from Generation Z who, from Dakar to Nairobi, and Johannesburg to Abidjan, displayed a realistic optimism and a desire to transform their countries.

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News

Early Career Researchers

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

theconversation

Early Career Researchers

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

Global scientific reports about climate change are largely written and reviewed by older researchers from the global north.

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African Science Map Redrawn as Egypt Dominates R&D Spending

International

African Science Map Redrawn as Egypt Dominates R&D Spending

Egypt’s research investment surged twelve-fold from 2000 to 2023, global IP body says

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Who Were the Winners and Losers of African Democracy in 2024?

Democracy

Who Were the Winners and Losers of African Democracy in 2024?

In 2024, 18 elections took place on the African continent, from Senegal to South Africa, Algeria to Ghana, with the results an equal mix of democratic success stories and challenges still to overcome.

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Web

A Case for Inclusive AI from Africa

A Case for Inclusive AI from Africa

Africa is home to about 2000 languages, with 75 of them having more than one million speakers each. Yet, this linguistic abundance is not reflected in the large language models (LLMs)-which are at the core of many AI systems-that are widely used. This creates a significant barrier in trying to build localised solutions.

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Give 'science for Peace' a Chance

Politics

Give 'science for Peace' a Chance

An initiative from two research organizations to boost the role of science in peace-building in Africa needs to be supported.

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African Leaders to Endorse Science Strategy in February

Science Politics

African Leaders to Endorse Science Strategy in February

Ten-year plan seeks to improve take-up and financial sustainability of continental STI programmes.

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Funding, Foreign Influence 'Hinder African Science Progress'

scidev

Funding

Funding, Foreign Influence 'Hinder African Science Progress'

African researchers call for supportive policies, increased funding, and a collaborative approach to R&D to address science-policy gaps.

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Improving Opportunities for Female Scientists in Central Africa

Women in Science

Improving Opportunities for Female Scientists in Central Africa

How a Congolese Foundation supports the development of women scientists.

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African Faith Leaders Demand Reparations from the Gates Foundation

Food

African Faith Leaders Demand Reparations from the Gates Foundation

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Unstable Funding ‘Constrains’ Diamond Open Access in Africa

Open Access

Unstable Funding ‘Constrains’ Diamond Open Access in Africa

Journals that do not charge authors or readers struggle with staffing and budgeting, study finds

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Scientists Uncover Ancient Origin of Cultural and Linguistic Networks of Central African Hunter-Gatherers

Linguistics

Scientists Uncover Ancient Origin of Cultural and Linguistic Networks of Central African Hunter-Gatherers

Extensive social networks among different hunter-gatherer groups in the Congo Basin existed long before the advent of agriculture in the region. This continent-wide exchange helped preserve a rich cultural diversity that evolved over thousands of years, as demonstrated by researchers from the Univer

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Africa’s New Force in Genomics

Africa’s New Force in Genomics

With vision and force of personality, Christian Happi built a world-class genomics center so Africans can help Africa.

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Disinformation in Africa: Lessons for the West

Disinformation in Africa: Lessons for the West

Rumours, disinformation and fake news have not spared the African continent. To combat this phenomenon effectively, local realities must be taken into account.

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The Women for Africa Foundation Premieres the Documentary "The Science of African Women"

Women in Science

The Women for Africa Foundation Premieres the Documentary "The Science of African Women"

On 23 May at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid

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South Korea's KAIST-inspired Science Education Model Goes Global in Africa

South Korea

South Korea's KAIST-inspired Science Education Model Goes Global in Africa

South Koreas KAIST-inspired science education model goes global in Africa Kenyas version of KAIST to be built in smart city Konza

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The Reason Why Africa's Borders Are So Straight is More Complicated Than Most Think

Geography

The Reason Why Africa's Borders Are So Straight is More Complicated Than Most Think

Research shows Africa's borders were not entirely arbitrary, shaped instead by negotiations involving precolonial territories and geographical landmarks.

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Climate Change: Africa Needs Help Against Escalating Public Health Crisis

Public Health

Climate Change: Africa Needs Help Against Escalating Public Health Crisis

An associate professor of infectious diseases and public health epidemiology in Nasarawa State, Dr. Ishaku Akyala has emphasised the severe toll of climate change on public health in Africa. Speaki…

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Opinion

Funding, Foreign Influence 'Hinder African Science Progress'

scidev

Funding, Foreign Influence 'Hinder African Science Progress'

African researchers call for supportive policies, increased funding, and a collaborative approach to R&D to address science-policy gaps.

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Science Can Drive Development and Unity in Africa - As It Does in the US and Europe

Funding

Science Can Drive Development and Unity in Africa - As It Does in the US and Europe

A plan to establish Africa's first continent-wide science fund should not be delayed any longer.

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Opinion

A Call for Pan-African Collaboration in Shaping the Future of Science, Technology and Innovation

A Call for Pan-African Collaboration in Shaping the Future of Science, Technology and Innovation

Dr Farai Kapfudzaruwa, Research and Strategic Partnerships Manager at Future Africa, University of Pretoria, calls for an African forum to craft a coherent strategy for positive change in the African STI landscape.