The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) hosted a high-level delegation from the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to explore strategic opportunities for collaboration in strengthening Africa’s research and innovation ecosystem.

The discussions focused on advancing support for early-career researchers (ECRs), strengthening African research institutions, enhancing research leadership, and creating sustainable pathways for scientific excellence across the continent.

Opening the engagement, representatives from both organizations reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that Africa’s research agenda is shaped and led by Africans. Participants emphasized the critical role of early-career researchers in driving the future of African science and highlighted the need for targeted investments that enable emerging researchers to thrive within African institutions.

Discussions also drew on lessons from the African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI), with participants underscoring the importance of research mobility models that balance international exposure with continued engagement in African institutions. Both organizations acknowledged the value of shorter, targeted placements that allow researchers to acquire new skills while maintaining strong institutional connections at home.

A key theme emerging from the meeting was the need to establish a coherent researcher development pathway that supports scientists from grant readiness and scientific writing through to leadership development and large-scale research funding. Participants noted that many talented African researchers remain excluded from funding opportunities because they lack an initial grant track record, highlighting the importance of creating accessible entry points for promising scientists.

The two organizations also explored opportunities to collaborate on institutional strengthening, research governance, mentorship systems, and implementation of the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) framework to enhance grant readiness and accountability across African institutions.

Recognizing their complementary strengths, AAS and AREF discussed potential collaboration in leadership development, grant writing support, researcher mentoring, alumni networking, institutional capacity strengthening, and joint resource mobilization. The organizations further identified opportunities to pursue collaborative responses to major international funding calls and develop integrated programmes that support African researchers throughout their career journeys.

The engagement concluded with a commitment to continue discussions and explore practical mechanisms for collaboration. By combining AAS’s continental reach and large-scale programme implementation expertise with AREF’s leadership development and capacity strengthening experience, both organizations see significant potential to contribute to a stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive African research ecosystem.