SRIFA Project Launches Validation Workshops for West Africa’s Research and Innovation Funding Agencies
Figure 1 Participants pose for a photo during the SRIFA Validation Workshop in Sierra Leone held from 4th to 5th of March, 2024
In a concerted effort to enhance research and innovation funding agencies across West Africa, the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) in collaboration with the Africa University of Science and Technology (AUST) is conducting validation workshops as part of the Strengthening the National Research and Innovation Funding Agencies in West Africa (SRIFA) project.
These workshops, spanning two months, serve as platforms for gathering feedback on research findings conducted in each of the participating countries. The focus is to assess the status of existing national research and innovation funding agencies in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, while also laying the groundwork for the establishment of new agencies in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
Participants, representing government officials, private sector representatives, academia, civil society, NGOs, and the media from their respective countries, bring invaluable expertise and insight to the workshops. Their contributions are crucial in shaping the development and performance improvement of these funding agencies.
Two validation workshops have already taken place, with Sierra Leone hosting the first on the 4th and 5th of March 2024, followed by Senegal from the 12th to the 13th of March 2024. These workshops mark critical milestones in the SRIFA project, allowing ATPS and AUST to validate research findings and identify areas requiring support in the participating countries.
Figure 2 Participants pose for a photo during the SRIFA Validation Workshop in Senegal held from 12th to 13th of March 2024
Prior to the workshops, the project team had conducted a comprehensive review of the policy and institutional landscape of the research and innovation funding ecosystem in each of the participating countries. They have also mapped stakeholders and conducted needs assessments to inform the development of training programs tailored to the specific needs of each Council.
The accompanying co-development and co-design of training programs during the validation workshops will pave way for the delivery of targeted training programs to address identified needs across all participating countries.
These validation workshops represent significant strides towards achieving the SRIFA project’s objectives and fostering a culture of innovation and research excellence across West Africa. Through collaboration and strategic planning, ATPS and AUST are driving positive change and building stronger research and innovation ecosystems for the benefit of development of the sub-region.
In addition, the project will provide customized technical support to Councils and stakeholders for the improvement of the existing Councils as well as the establishment of new Councils where they do not already exist. High-level policy and stakeholder dialogues and workshops are planned for the establishment of new research and innovation funding agencies in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Furthermore, learning and benchmarking visits will be organized to successful and well-performing Councils in Africa.