• The United Kingdom 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 strengthen science, technology, and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria.

• The initiative, named 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 commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy, and enhance government digital service delivery.

• Applications are invited from interested and qualified organisations and partners, with submissions due by October 25, 2024, 12 PM West Africa Time (WAT).

Sankore, named after a historic place of learning in West Africa, is a new £1.9 million Accountable Grant delivery 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 collaborate with Ghana’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST).

The project is seeking applications from organisations in Ghana or Nigeria that have a non-profit lead implementing partner (including UN agencies). These organisations must have a deep understanding of the local context, be legally registered entities in Nigeria or Ghana, among other specifications.

Launching the call for proposals, Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, stated that the initiative represents collaboration to strengthen the global technology sector and create opportunities for rapidly growing economies with the potential to compete globally.

Ghana’s Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford, noted that this initiative is one of several 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 Commissioner to Ghana, stated that the UK sees significant value in collaborating with Africa in science, technology, and innovation, ad that the grant will strengthen existing partnerships in these areas.

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, remarked that the Sankore project is a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria to enhance its innovation landscape by strengthening industry-science linkages and developing an enabling policy environment.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, also commented that Sankore showcases the UK’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria and will strengthen partnerships between businesses and innovators, driving the development of innovative solutions.”