The project aims to provide efficient, affordable, and clean energy to rural Malawi by utilizing rice husk gasification technology as an alternative to traditional electricity sources. […]
Read More… from Biomass gasification for decentralized electricity generation in Malawi
The project aimed to address waste management issues at Tsangano Market in Ntcheu District, Malawi, by converting vegetable waste into biogas and organic fertilizer. […]
The project aimed to utilize maize bran and germ, by products from milling, in developing bakery and confectionery products. […]
Read More… from High fibre bakery and confectionery products from maize germ and bran
The project developed a single cocoa fermentation box to support small-scale farmers who could not afford the larger storey boxes typically used for fermentation. […]
Read More… from Cocoa waste to wealth using yeast strains from Ugandan box fermentation
The project developed four bee-derived products—propolis powder supplement, bee venom powder supplement, syrup drink, and ready-to-drink beverage. […]
Read More… from Commercial Exploitation of Propolis and Bee Venom in Uganda
The project aimed to enhance income opportunities for vulnerable communities in the coastal region of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, one of the country’s poorest areas, particularly in rural zones. […]
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Read More… from 2021 SGCI Masterclass: Enhancing Public Engagement in Research and Innovation
Uma reunião recentemente concluída destacou fortes parcerias multissetorial como chave para acelerar o desenvolvimento orientado para a investigação em África. A Iniciativa dos Conselhos de Concessão Científica (SGCI) realizou a sua Reunião Regional Virtual de 29-30 de Junho de 2021 para facilitar a aprendizagem cruzada, a partilha de experiências e o trabalho em rede entre […]
A recently concluded meeting has highlighted strong multi-stakeholder partnerships as key for accelerating research-driven development in Africa. The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) held its Virtual Regional Meeting on 29-30 June 2021 to facilitate cross-learning, experience sharing, and networking among Science Granting Councils (SGCs) and other continental and global Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) actors. […]
The project aims to provide efficient, affordable, and clean energy to rural Malawi by utilizing rice husk gasification technology as an alternative to traditional electricity sources. Rural electrification in Malawi faces challenges such as high infrastructure costs, dispersed populations, low energy consumption, and poor load factors. This initiative focuses on designing, developing, and implementing a 100-kW rice husk gasification system to generate and distribute electricity sustainably and cost-effectively to rural communities.
The project’s objectives include identifying a suitable gasifier model, designing and constructing the system, simulating its performance, and assessing its economic viability compared to other energy sources. It will also demonstrate the technology in a selected community in Phalombe or Nkhotakota and train local artisans in system operation and maintenance for sustainability. A community management group will be formed to oversee the gasification plant, supported by public-private partnerships to ensure long-term impact.
The project targets multiple outcomes, including increased energy access for lighting, cooking, and income-generating activities, improved living standards, and reduced poverty in rural areas. Additionally, it aims to stimulate micro and small enterprise growth, enhance basic health and education services, reduce reliance on foreign exchange for rural electrification, and mitigate climate change by utilizing renewable biomass energy.
Over its 12-month duration, the project will deliver key outputs, such as baseline studies on rice husk availability, performance data of the gasifier system, economic analysis, and a fully operational rice husk-powered energy system. It also includes capacity-building activities for beneficiaries and support for three master’s research projects. With a total budget of USD 30,000, the project will contribute to Malawi’s rural electrification goals while demonstrating the feasibility of biomass-based gasification as a clean energy solution for rural development.
Tsangano Market in Ntcheu District, Malawi, a key hub for vegetable farmers from Malawi and Mozambique, generates significant vegetable waste due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. This unmanaged waste negatively impacts the environment, climate, and public health. However, vegetable waste can be transformed into biogas, a cleaner alternative to charcoal and fuelwood, to meet the high energy demands of market users such as chips makers and restaurants. Biogas production will also reduce deforestation in the Tsangano area.
A by-product of biogas production, organic fertilizer, will be packaged and sold to smallholder farmers. Organic fertilizer offers an affordable, environmentally friendly alternative to inorganic fertilizers, which are increasingly costly and harmful to water resources. This initiative addresses waste management challenges while creating valuable raw materials for trade.
The project, led by the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in partnership with Green Impact Technologies (GIT), aims to promote biogas as a sustainable energy source. Using a “Fee-for-Service Social Enterprise Business Model,” the project seeks to ensure long-term financial sustainability and avoid project failures common to donor-funded energy initiatives. Outcomes include increased biogas adoption, improved market sanitation, enhanced organic fertilizer use, and stronger public-private partnerships. The initiative also aims to influence government policies supporting biogas and environmental sustainability in Malawi.
This project aims to utilize maize bran and germ, byproducts of maize milling, to develop high-fiber baked and confectionery products such as muffins, bread, and cookies. Maize bran and germ are rich in fiber, essential oils, vitamins, and proteins, offering significant nutritional and health benefits. The project targets health-conscious consumers and seeks to address the current dominance of low-fiber, highly refined flours in Uganda’s bakery and confectionery market.
The initiative leverages the abundant availability of maize bran and germ, which are typically used as animal feed, to create value-added human food products. Collaborating with private partners like Maganjo Grain Millers, Agro Ways (U) Limited, and JOVAY School of Cookery, the project integrates these byproducts into bakery and confectionery enterprises, providing affordable, nutritious options for consumers.
The primary beneficiaries include maize millers, who will add value to their byproducts, bakery enterprises producing healthier foods, and consumers gaining access to high-fiber products. Maize, Uganda’s most important cereal crop supports 86% of agricultural households, producing substantial amounts of bran and germ as byproducts. By repurposing these into human food, the project addresses consumer demand for healthier options, promotes sustainable use of resources, and enhances the nutritional value of baked goods.
For more details on this project, contact Prof. Charles Muyanja on email: ckmuyanja@caes.mak.ac.ug
This project seeks to develop a single cocoa fermentation box designed for small-scale farmers who lack the resources to generate large quantities of cocoa beans required for storey box fermentation. The single box is cost-effective and gender-inclusive. Additionally, the project will use a yeast starter with pectin-hydrolyzing properties to extract cocoa juice from the pulp through a stainless-steel tank with a hydraulic press. By producing value-added products like ethanol and wine from cocoa pulp juice, the project aims to reduce Uganda’s ethanol import costs, which amounted to USD 500,000 in 2015.
The initiative is expected to boost the income of participating cocoa farmers by up to 25% through the sale of high-quality fermented cocoa beans and value-added products to laboratories and buyers. Collaborating with private sector players such as ICAM Chocolate and Lwanga Enterprises, the project addresses challenges faced by small-scale farmers who often sell fresh, unfermented beans due to the high cost and large-scale requirements of existing fermentation methods.
Cocoa, Uganda’s 4th largest foreign revenue earner supports over 10,000 households. Current spontaneous fermentation methods lead to inconsistent quality and prices. By utilizing pure yeast strains isolated by NaCORI, this project aims to enable controlled fermentation for better-quality beans and improved market opportunities.
For details, contact Mr. Lawrence Muganga on Email: lawrmuganga@yahoo.com
This project, led by Makerere University’s SVAR-RTC in collaboration with TUNADO and Aryodi Bee Farm, aims to develop four bee-based products: propolis powder supplements, bee venom powder supplements, a syrup drink, and a ready-to-drink beverage. TUNADO, representing 9,000 beekeepers, and Aryodi Bee Farm, a business producing up to 15,000 kg of honey per season, provide the practical foundation for this initiative.
The project seeks to address Uganda’s rising rates of immune-compromised individuals caused by malnutrition, communicable diseases, and stress. While bee products like propolis and venom are widely recognized for their medicinal value and commercialized in regions like Asia, Europe, and the USA, their use in Uganda remains minimal. Currently, only 1% of Uganda’s propolis is harvested and utilized by small-scale cottage industries. Production methods are inconsistent, and product quality is poorly understood, highlighting the need for standardized processes and optimized prototypes.
Through this initiative, SVAR-RTC aims to produce scientific publications, mentor students, and secure intellectual property rights. Additionally, it will build the capacity of TUNADO’s members and improve Aryodi Bee Farm’s processing protocols. Long-term, this project will expand market opportunities for underutilized bee products while enhancing local production and quality standards.
For details, contact Dr. Deborah Ruth Amulen on email: amulendeborah@gmail.com
The project aimed to enhance income opportunities for vulnerable communities in the coastal region of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, one of the country’s poorest areas, particularly in rural zones. The region, rich in biodiversity and located within the Swahili-Maputland hotspot, is home to unique estuarine ecosystems, mangroves, and marine grasses. The project focused on supporting the tourism development strategy outlined in Mozambique’s 2016-2025 National Tourism Strategic Plans, emphasizing public-private partnerships and stakeholder involvement at the district level.
The targeted communities, mainly Kimwane people, rely on subsistence artisanal fisheries. By leveraging the area’s environmental assets, the project aimed to improve livelihoods and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in terms of sustainable development and poverty reduction. The region’s climate features distinct wet and dry seasons, influencing local livelihoods and economic activities.
A specialized training workshop titled “The Art of Influencing Policy” held on 25th -27th April, 2022 Mombasa, Kenya. Bringing together representatives from various science granting councils (SGCs) across Africa. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to effectively translate scientific research outcomes into actionable policy advice for governments and stakeholders. This capacity-building event marked a significant step toward strengthening the role of SGCs in guiding evidence-based policymaking across the continent.
The core objective of the training was to prepare SGC representatives to enhance their role as key providers of policy advice. Participants often fund research and issue grants, yet many councils face challenges in leveraging research outcomes to influence policy. Recognizing this gap, the workshop provided an environment for participants to learn essential strategies to bridge the divide between research and policy.
A variety of interactive methodologies were employed to facilitate learning and engagement. Presentations, plenary discussions, and group activities were combined with guest lectures and role plays, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience in policy advocacy. This dynamic approach encouraged the exchange of personal and professional experiences, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Facilitators such as Daniel Otunge from Science Africa, Geoffrey Banda from the University of Edinburgh, and others provided valuable guidance.
In the introductory session, led by Maurice Bolo of The Scinnovent Centre, participants explored the persistent gap between research and policy. The discussion centered on why this gap exists and what steps researchers can take to ensure their findings are more accessible and relevant to policymakers.
The session also examined strategies to elevate research issues onto the policy agenda. Issues tend to gain traction when a recognized problem converges with a viable solution and a political climate that supports change. Participants learned that effective policy influence requires understanding policymakers’ criteria for evidence, including its relevance, quality, clarity, and sensitivity.
By the end of the training, participants were better prepared to craft impactful policy briefs and advocate for research-based recommendations effectively. Additionally, participants are expected to pitch policy recommendations to influence policy change, extending the impact of their research.
The workshop also laid the groundwork for future capacity-building initiatives. Selected countries will continue the momentum by offering in-country training to further develop policy advisory expertise within their national SGCs. These initiatives aim to foster a community of practice that supports continuous learning and collaboration among science councils across Africa.
The “Art of Influencing Policy” workshop served as a crucial step for SGC representatives in Africa to enhance their policy advisory capacity. By fostering skills in policy brief development, peer learning, and effective advocacy, the training aimed to bridge the gap between scientific research and actionable policy. As participants return to their respective countries, they are equipped to apply these skills to influence meaningful policy change, ensuring that science serves as a foundation for sustainable development across the continent.
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) held its annual Masterclass on November 16-17, 2021, focusing on “Public Engagement in Research and Innovation.” This virtual forum gathered 172 participants from 30 countries, including representatives from Science Granting Councils (SGCs), researchers, government officials, and partner agencies. The event explored strategies for increasing public involvement in science and technology, sharing experiences, and addressing barriers to broadening the public reach of research.
Dr. Konosoang Sobane, from the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa, delivered the keynote presentation, which addressed the current status and challenges of public engagement in African research. Following her presentation, a panel of African SGC representatives—including TETFund (Nigeria), NCST (Rwanda), and NRF (South Africa)—alongside global partners like the UK Collaborative on Research and Innovation (UKCRI) and the Netherlands Research Council (NWO), provided insights on the complexities of involving the public in research initiatives. Representatives from Botswana, Uganda, Senegal, Kenya, and Namibia reinforced these discussions with additional African perspectives.
Main issues discussed:
The 2021 Masterclass strengthened awareness of the benefits and challenges of public engagement. The discussions yielded practical recommendations, and the SGCI team received feedback to enhance case studies and promote good practices. The Masterclass highlighted the need for collaborative, inclusive approaches to science communication that embrace Africa’s diversity, empowering councils to connect more meaningfully with the public.
Uma reunião recentemente concluída destacou fortes parcerias multissetorial como chave para acelerar o desenvolvimento orientado para a investigação em África.
A Iniciativa dos Conselhos de Concessão Científica (SGCI) realizou a sua Reunião Regional Virtual de 29-30 de Junho de 2021 para facilitar a aprendizagem cruzada, a partilha de experiências e o trabalho em rede entre os Conselhos de Concessão Científica (SGC) e com outros atores continentais e globais da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (CTI). A reunião também discutiu vias para o desenvolvimento de roteiros de investigação e desenvolvimento (I&D) que podem influenciar as agendas nacionais de investigação.
Os participantes incluíram representantes de alguns Conselhos de Concessão Científica Africanos selecionados, do Departamento de Negócios, Energia e Estratégia do Reino Unido (BEIS), parceiros financiadores do SGCI e dos seus parceiros de implementação.
Nas suas observações iniciais, Tom Ogada, Diretor Executivo do Centro Africano de Estudos Tecnológicos (ACTS), notou a importância dos roteiros de I&D em África. “É um quadro importante que os governos podem utilizar para informar a atribuição de recursos, prioridades de investigação e apoiar a implementação de políticas relacionadas”, salientou Ogada.
Lucy Absolom, a Chefe de Estratégia de I&D no BEIS, partilhou as suas experiências no processo de desenvolvimento do roteiro de investigação e desenvolvimento do Reino Unido. Ela destacou que é primordial conseguir que o processo seja acertado para garantir que o resultado seja abraçado por todos os atores-chave. Absolom salientou que o envolvimento intencional de múltiplos intervenientes desde o início é fundamental para o sucesso de um roteiro de I&D viável que possa influenciar as agendas nacionais de investigação e melhorar o desenvolvimento.
As lições do Uganda, Burkina Faso e Namíbia demonstraram progressos e desafios enfrentados pelos países africanos no desenvolvimento de roteiros de investigação e desenvolvimento. O Burkina Faso atribuiu uma percentagem das receitas coletadas das suas indústrias de telecomunicações e de mineração à I&D. Inoussa Zongo, o Diretor-Geral de Investigação e Inovação da Agência do Burkina Faso para o Financiamento do Desenvolvimento, salientou que a afetação intencional de recursos para I&D é fundamental para assegurar a priorização das agendas nacionais de investigação, aumento e reforço de parcerias estratégicas para alavancar mais recursos para a sua agenda de I&D.
Vincent Nowaseb, o Diretor Geral para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Comissão Nacional de Investigação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Namíbia, forneceu uma visão geral da política de CTI do país, que está ancorada em nove objetivos que estão a consolidar a aplicação de CTI em vários setores.
O Uganda desenvolveu a sua agenda nacional de investigação e um projeto de política de CTI. Estas políticas permitiram ao governo aumentar a sua despesa bruta em ciência, encorajar o setor privado a investir na investigação e inovação para o desenvolvimento, e está a trabalhar para aumentar o número de patentes anuais registadas internacionalmente de duas, tal como registadas atualmente, para 50 até ao ano 2025. O Uganda está ainda a explorar o potencial dos sistemas de conhecimento indígenas para contribuir para e melhorar a sua estratégia de I&D.
A reunião salientou a necessidade de colaboração entre os setores, o envolvimento precoce de múltiplos intervenientes e os planos de contingência como importantes para o desenvolvimento de um roteiro robusto. A Namíbia, por exemplo, embarcou na revisão da sua política de CTI em 2015, através de um processo altamente consultivo com ministérios e agências, organizações não-governamentais, academias e organizações da sociedade civil.
Os SGC desempenham um papel crítico na condução da investigação e desenvolvimento, dado o seu mandato de aconselhar os governos sobre estratégias relacionadas com as CTI e de moldar as agendas nacionais de investigação. Os SGC fortes contribuem para uma I&D eficaz, daí a necessidade de continuar a investir no seu reforço. Ellie Osir, do IDRC, observou que nos últimos cinco anos, o SGCI tinha feito progressos notáveis em direção aos seus objetivos de apoio aos SGC, organizados em torno de cinco áreas temáticas, incluindo o reforço da capacidade de gestão da investigação; o reforço da capacidade de melhorar a política e as decisões baseadas em provas; o apoio à gestão da investigação; o apoio às comunicações estratégicas e à adoção de conhecimentos; e o reforço da capacidade de alcançar o equilíbrio e a inclusividade de género.
O avanço da investigação e desenvolvimento requer fortes ligações entre a agenda de investigação e o plano de desenvolvimento nacional. A reunião reforçou os conhecimentos dos Conselhos sobre como alinhar as suas agendas de investigação e desenvolvimento com os planos nacionais de desenvolvimento e reforçar esta ligação para as CTI em África.
Sobre o Encontro
O Encontro Regional Virtual 2021 foi organizado pelo SGCI em parceria com o Centro Scinnovent. O SGCI visa reforçar as capacidades dos Conselhos de Concessão de Ciência (SGC) na África Subsaariana para apoiar a investigação e políticas baseadas em provas que contribuam para o desenvolvimento económico e social. A Iniciativa é cofinanciada pelo Reino Unido Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) e o German Research Foundation (DFG).
A recently concluded meeting has highlighted strong multi-stakeholder partnerships as key for accelerating research-driven development in Africa.
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) held its Virtual Regional Meeting on 29-30 June 2021 to facilitate cross-learning, experience sharing, and networking among Science Granting Councils (SGCs) and other continental and global Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) actors. The meeting also discussed pathways for developing research and development (R&D) roadmaps that can influence national research agendas. Participants included representatives of selected African Science Granting Councils, the United Kingdom’s Department for Business, Energy and Strategy (BEIS), funding partners of the SGCI, and its implementing partners.
In his opening remarks, Tom Ogada, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), noted the importance of R&D roadmaps in Africa. “It is an important framework that governments can use to inform resource allocation, research priorities, and support implementation of related policies,” Ogada emphasized.
Lucy Absolom, Head of R&D Strategy at BEIS, shared her experiences in developing the UK’s research and development roadmap. She highlighted the importance of getting the process right to ensure that the outcome is embraced by all key actors. Absolom emphasized that intentional engagement of multiple stakeholders from the onset is fundamental to the success of a viable R&D roadmap that can influence national research agendas and enhance development.
Lessons from Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Namibia demonstrated progress and challenges faced by African countries in developing R&D roadmaps. Burkina Faso has allocated a percentage of the revenues collected from its telecom and mining industries to R&D. Inoussa Zongo, Director General for Research and Innovation at Burkina Faso’s Development Funding Agency, emphasized that intentional resource allocation for R&D is critical to ensuring prioritization of national research agendas.
Namibia’s STI policy has a sharp focus on increasing and enhancing strategic partnerships to leverage more resources toward its R&D agenda. Vincent Nowaseb, General Manager for Innovation and Technology Development at Namibia’s National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology, provided an overview of the country’s STI policy, which is anchored on nine objectives that entrench the application of STI across various sectors.
Uganda has developed its national research agenda and a draft STI policy. These policies have enabled the government to commit to increasing its gross expenditure on science, encourage the private sector to invest in research and innovation for development, and work toward increasing the number of annual internationally registered patents from two currently to 50 by 2025. Uganda is also exploring the potential of indigenous knowledge systems to contribute to and enhance its R&D strategy.
The meeting highlighted the need for collaboration across sectors, early multistakeholder engagement, and contingency planning as important in developing a robust roadmap. Namibia, for example, embarked on the review of its STI policy in 2015 through a highly consultative process with ministries and agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, and civil society organizations.
SGCs play a critical role in driving research and development, given their mandate of advising governments on STI-related strategies and shaping national research agendas. Strong SGCs contribute to effective R&D, hence the need to continue investing in strengthening them. IDRC’s Ellie Osir noted that over the last five years, the SGCI had made remarkable progress toward its objectives of supporting SGCs, organized around five thematic areas, including strengthening their ability to manage research; enhancing capacity for evidence-based policy and decision-making; supporting research management; promoting strategic communications and knowledge uptake; and advancing gender balance and inclusivity.
Advancing research and development requires strong linkages between the research agenda and the national development plan. The meeting enhanced the Councils’ knowledge on how to align their R&D agendas with national development plans and strengthen this linkage for STI in Africa.
The 2021 Virtual Regional Meeting was hosted by the SGCI in partnership with the Scinnovent Centre. The SGCI aims to strengthen the capacities of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
The initiative is jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the German Research Foundation (DFG).
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