The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) aimed to strengthen the capacities of science granting councils in sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies for economic and social development. It was jointly funded by DFID, IDRC, NRF, and SIDA, and worked with 15 African countries, including Botswana, Kenya, and Zambia. The initiative held high-level Annual Forums to address strategic issues in science and policy, amplifying African voices in international discussions.
In 2019, the forum focused on “Open Science in Research and Innovation for Development.” Delegates observed that while open science was not a new concept in Africa, emerging technologies and new development priorities had added new dimensions to this concept. Many African Science Granting Councils were already collaborating bilaterally and multilaterally, sharing resources, infrastructure, and skills, promoting openness, and facilitating peer learning.
The forum also highlighted the transition to a “knowledge society,” where innovation was driven by knowledge rather than natural resources, with the digital revolution playing a key role. However, the digital era brought challenges like information overload, requiring information to be shared in an understandable form. Delegates agreed that addressing complex development challenges required society to accept uncertainty and organize effectively to mitigate risks.
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