The United Kingdom’s West Africa Research and Innovation Hub has announced a £1.9 million ($2.5 million) funding initiative to advance science, technology, and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria. Named Sankore, the initiative aims to foster collaboration between the UK and the governments of Ghana and Nigeria to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve policy frameworks, and enhance government digital service delivery.
About the Sankore Initiative
Sankore, inspired by the historic West African centre of learning, is part of the Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) programme. The £1.9 million Accountable Grant delivery mechanism will focus on strengthening innovation ecosystems in Ghana and Nigeria, working closely with Ghana’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST).
Application Process
Organisations from Ghana and Nigeria are invited to apply for funding, with a requirement that the lead implementing partner be a registered non-profit entity, including UN agencies. Applicants must demonstrate a deep understanding of local contexts and meet specific eligibility criteria. Submissions are due by October 25, 2024, 12 PM WA time
The initiative seeks to:
Strengthen innovation systems in Ghana and Nigeria.
Support the development of innovation policies.
Enhance digital service delivery by governments.
Build partnerships that encourage technology-driven solutions.
Leadership and Partnerships
Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, emphasised the project’s potential to strengthen the global technology sector while creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies in West Africa.In Ghana, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted the importance of bridging the funding gap for technological innovation with UK support. Similarly, Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, noted that the project provides an opportunity to improve Nigeria’s innovation landscape through better industry-science linkages and policy support.
Broader Impact
The Sankore project is expected to foster sustainable development and strengthen partnerships between businesses, governments, and innovators in both countries. Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana, and Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, reiterated the UK’s commitment to advancing innovation and development in West Africa through collaborations like Sankore.This initiative builds on the UK’s broader efforts to drive innovation and sustainable economic growth across the African continent.
