- The UK government’s West Africa Research and Innovation Hub has announced up to £1.9 million/$2.5 million (₦4.14 billion / GHS 39.5 million) in funding to boost science, technology and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria.
- The initiative, called Sankore, aims to support the UK government’s partnerships with the governments of Ghana and Nigeria in science, technology and innovation. It will also accelerate the commercialization of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and strengthen the delivery of government digital services.
- Applications are invited from interested and qualified organizations and partners, with a submission deadline of October 25, 2024, 12 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT).
Sankore, named after a historic place of learning in West Africa, is a new £1.9m Accountable Grant mechanism designed to strengthen innovation systems in Nigeria and Ghana. The initiative will be delivered under the Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) programme.
The initiative will partner with Ghana’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST).
The project seeks applications from organizations in Ghana or Nigeria that have a non-profit lead implementing partner (including UN agencies). These organizations must have a deep understanding of the local context, be legally registered entities in Nigeria or Ghana, among other requirements.
Launching the call for proposals, Lord Collins, UK Secretary for Africa, said the initiative represents collaboration to strengthen the global technology sector and create opportunities for fast-growing economies to compete globally.
Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford, noted that this initiative is one of many that the Ministry, with the support of the UK government, intends to use to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s technological innovation.
Harriet Thompson, British High Commission in Ghana, said the UK sees significant value in working with Africa in science, technology and innovation, and that the grant will strengthen existing partnerships in these areas.
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, noted that the Sankore project is a key opportunity for Nigeria to improve its innovation landscape by strengthening industry-science linkages and developing an enabling policy environment.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, also commented that Sankore demonstrates the UK’s commitment to promoting innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria and will strengthen partnerships between businesses and innovators, leading to the development of innovative solutions.
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