UK unveils £1.9 million investment to boost science and innovation efforts in West Africa

The UK government has unveiled an investment package of up to £1.9 million to strengthen science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) in West Africa, focusing on Ghana and Nigeria.

This funding, delivered through the newly established West Africa Research and Innovation Hub, aims to foster economic growth by supporting innovation, improving policy frameworks, and enhancing digital service delivery in both countries.

The initiative, named Sankore after the renowned medieval center of learning in West Africa, seeks to enhance collaboration between universities, research centers, and the private sector.

UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, mentioned that the project is closely aligned with the UK-Ghana Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy, which was co-developed last year.

He stressed that the initiative will focus on turning innovative ideas into practical solutions that drive industrial progress and align with Ghana's tech development goals.

“This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together,” Lord Collins said in Accra on September 17, 2024.

Lord Collins, in his concluding remarks, stressed the importance of cooperation to harness the full potential of West Africa, in particular Ghana’s innovation capacity.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, highlighted the significance of the initiative for Ghana’s innovation ecosystem.

“Sankore will serve as a financing vehicle to catalyze the implementation of the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy. This initiative is one of many that the Ministry, with the support of the UK Government, intends to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s Technological Innovation. We are happy to partner with key actors in the innovation ecosystem to drive economic transformation in Ghana through ST&I,” the sector minister stated.

Additionally, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, reiterated the UK's commitment to collaborating with African nations on technological advancement.

“The launch of Sankore sends a clear message: the UK sees enormous value in partnering with African countries on science, technology, and innovation, and we are committed to bringing those partnerships to life. This grant will further strengthen our existing partnerships on science, tech, and innovation, in line with our joint UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy,” she said.

The Sankore program will also support the commercialization of innovative solutions and contribute to improving innovation policies in both Ghana and Nigeria. The UK aims to see these efforts lead to sustainable development across the region, positioning West Africa as a competitive force in the global technology sector.

The Sankore grant is part of the UK’s Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (UK-ATIP) Program, aimed at strengthening research and innovation systems in West Africa. It builds upon the UK-Ghana ST&I strategy launched last year and reinforced this year by a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive development through science, technology, and innovation.