The Government of Kenya and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) have reinforced their partnership to strengthen the role of science, technology and innovation in driving Africa’s development, with both sides calling for greater investment in African-led research, stronger science-policy collaboration, and accelerated commercialization of scientific discoveries.
The renewed commitment followed high-level meetings between the newly inaugurated AAS Governing Council and senior Kenyan government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E. Dr Musalia Mudavadi, and Principal Secretary for the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak.
Led by AAS President Prof. Friday Okonofua and Executive Director Dr. Stephen Mutwiwa, the Academy’s delegation used the engagements to outline its vision for the 2026–2029 Governing Council term and deepen collaboration with Kenya, which hosts the continental scientific institution.
The discussions reflected growing recognition that scientific evidence is becoming increasingly critical to addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges, from food security and public health to climate change, industrialization and digital transformation.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to supporting the Academy and strengthening evidence-informed policymaking. He noted that governments are increasingly required to make complex policy decisions in rapidly evolving environments and require timely, credible scientific advice to guide national development.
He said Kenya's ongoing efforts to strengthen policy coordination and long-term development planning would benefit from closer engagement with the Academy’s extensive network of scientific experts.
With nearly 800 Fellows drawn from diverse disciplines across the continent, the AAS provides one of Africa’s largest pools of scientific expertise, offering evidence and policy advice on priority areas including health, agriculture, energy, education, climate resilience and emerging technologies.
A major focus of the discussions was the need for African countries to increase domestic investment in research and development. Prof. Abdulrazak said Kenya is working to raise national spending on research from about 0.7 percent of GDP toward the African Union’s target of one percent, arguing that stronger local financing is essential for reducing dependence on external donors and enabling African institutions to define their own research priorities.
He also emphasized that scientific research should translate into tangible economic and social benefits through innovation, technology development, entrepreneurship and commercialization. Achieving this, he said, will require stronger collaboration between governments, universities, industry, investors and innovators, alongside improved support for intellectual property protection and innovation ecosystems.
The meetings also highlighted the growing importance of science diplomacy as Africa seeks a stronger voice in global discussions on climate change, health security, sustainable development and emerging technologies. Participants agreed that robust scientific evidence will be essential in shaping the continent’s negotiating positions and supporting informed policymaking at both national and international levels.
As part of the engagements, the Academy invited the Government of Kenya to participate in the 16th AAS Scientific Conference and General Assembly, scheduled for December 2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The gathering is expected to convene leading scientists, policymakers, innovators and development partners from across Africa and beyond to explore how science, technology and innovation can accelerate the continent’s transformation.
Photo courtesy: African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
Article by Jed Mwangi
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