Africa has made history as the first continent to adopt a continent-wide, internationally recognised standard for research governance. Launched during the 31st General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) in Zanzibar, the new Good Research Management Practice (GRMP) Standard ARS 1024:2025 is poised to reshape how scientific institutions are run, evaluated, and held accountable.
Developed collaboratively by ARSO and the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), the GRMP Standard is a groundbreaking framework that codifies research governance across eight core pillars: governance, leadership, infrastructure, finance, training, monitoring, compliance, and ethics.
“The GRMP is more than a checklist. It’s a strategic infrastructure for science systems,” said Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programmes at the SFA Foundation. “It’s designed to make institutions more sustainable, transparent, and accountable.”
Africa's research landscape has long suffered from systemic challenges—limited infrastructure, poor funding oversight, and a lack of formal mentorship structures. The continent averages only 20 health researchers per million people, a stark contrast to Europe’s 246 per million. These deficits have undermined Africa’s ability to drive research agendas tailored to its unique development needs.
The GRMP Standard seeks to close these gaps by serving as:
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A developmental tool for capacity building and professionalisation,
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An assurance mechanism for funders and governments,
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A compliance benchmark to facilitate global recognition.
The standard’s development involved 150+ experts from over 25 countries, including funders, regulators, academic institutions, and professional associations. While rooted in African realities, its creators emphasize that the framework is globally adaptable, offering a model for institutions worldwide.
“The GRMP Standard is Africa’s response to the growing demand for ethical, efficient, and impactful research,” said Prof. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the SFA Foundation. “It puts African institutions in the driver’s seat—not only complying with global expectations but helping shape them.”
International development agencies have lauded the move.
“For funders like us, the GRMP is a game-changer,” said Dr. Jordan Kyongo, representing the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Kenya. “It gives us confidence that African institutions are ready to manage complex research investments with excellence.”
To support uptake, the SFA Foundation will roll out a GRMP Implementation Guide, along with customised training and a certification scheme to help institutions integrate the standard into their governance structures.
As the world grapples with shared challenges like pandemics, climate change, and technological disruption, Africa's bold step in codifying research excellence signals a growing determination to lead—not just locally, but globally—in scientific innovation.
Article by Jed Mwangi
Photo/SFA
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