Introduction
The Science for Africa Foundation (often referred to as the SFA Foundation) is a pan-African, non-profit and public charitable organisation dedicated to strengthening science, research and innovation across Africa. Established in 2021, the foundation was created by a seasoned team of scientists, professionals, and global partners committed to advancing the African research and innovation ecosystem. Although the foundation does not highlight a single individual founder, its inception reflects a collective effort to support African-led science and research excellence.
History and Background
Origins and Evolution
The Science for Africa Foundation was formally established in 2021 with the goal of revolutionising how science and innovation are supported on the African continent. Since its creation, the foundation has developed robust governance structures, convened scientific leaders, and built operational systems to deliver high-impact programmes that address Africa’s most pressing societal challenges.
Strategic Growth
In 2023, the foundation launched its five-year strategic plan titled From Science to Impact, signalling a major milestone in its evolution. This strategy charts a bold pathway for reinforcing the African science ecosystem and sets out comprehensive support mechanisms for researchers and innovators.
Mission and Purpose
Core Goals
The mission of the Science for Africa Foundation is to catalyse and strengthen Africa’s science and innovation ecosystems to effectively respond to sustainable development challenges and positively impact lives across the continent. Its vision is to be a leader in advancing African science in a global context.
Charter Objectives
- Support science excellence: Promote high-quality research across health, agriculture, climate, environment, and other thematic areas.
- Strengthen careers: Develop globally competitive science leaders and support sustainable scientific careers.
- Expand innovation: Facilitate science innovation and entrepreneurship that responds to local and regional needs.
- Build ecosystems: Improve research environments, infrastructure, and policy engagement to enable science to thrive.
As a philanthropic organisation, the foundation emphasises basic research funding, collaborative partnerships, and strategic programmes that reinforce Africa’s long-term scientific capacity.
Governance and Structure
Legal Status and Organisation
The Science for Africa Foundation is governed as a non-profit public charity with a strategic focus on research, innovation and ecosystem strengthening across Africa. It operates through a Board of Directors composed of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, guiding its strategic direction and oversight.
While not explicitly structured as an “enterprise foundation” in the classical sense (i.e., wholly owning a business for philanthropic purposes), the SFA Foundation functions as an independent entity with legal status as a non-profit, focusing on grant-making, strategic programming, and convening science stakeholders throughout Africa.
Funding and Grants
Types of Grants
The foundation offers a wide range of research grants and funding opportunities, including:
- Open competition grants for independent basic research and innovative projects.
- Strategic grants aligned with priority thematic areas such as health, climate-environment, and agriculture.
- Support for research infrastructure and research management capacity building.
- Funding for conferences, workshops, and science communication efforts to enhance knowledge exchange.
The foundation manages grant applications and reviews through its Agaseke Grants Management System, designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility for researchers across Africa.
Partnerships and Co-funding
SFA Foundation also works with international partners and funders to co-finance programmes. For example, in 2025 it received committed grants from partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support discovery and translational science in Africa.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Flagship Initiatives
The foundation’s programmes span a diverse range of scientific priorities. Key initiatives include:
- Climate, Health, Agriculture and Biodiversity (C-HAB) Programme – addressing climate impacts and resilience through science.
- Science Collaboratives for Pandemics, Epidemics and Endemic Diseases (SCOPE R&D) – building research capacity for health emergencies.
- Science Innovation, Translation and Entrepreneurship (SITE) – supporting innovation and translation of research into impactful products and solutions.
- Science Prioritisation & Policy Engagement for Africa (SPEAR) – linking research evidence and policymaking.
- Social Science & Humanities (SSH Programme) – expanding funding into social sciences and humanities research.
These programmes reflect the foundation’s interdisciplinary approach, fostering collaborations and networks that support science from discovery through implementation.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Research Outcomes
The foundation’s impact is visible through funding diverse scientific work and supporting African researchers:
- AI and Health Innovation: In 2024, SFA Foundation awarded grants to over 50 AI innovators applying artificial intelligence to health and environmental research.
- Research Consortia Funding: In 2023, the foundation funded 14 research consortia across nine African countries, advancing evidence in infectious diseases and broader research fields.
- Support for Social Sciences: Through programmes like POSSIBLE-Africa, the foundation has elevated research in underfunded social sciences and humanities.
These investments have bolstered Africa’s scientific leadership, enhanced research outputs, and contributed to evidence-based policy dialogues.
Conclusion
The Science for Africa Foundation plays a crucial role in advancing scientific research, innovation, and ecosystems across Africa. Through strategic basic research funding, collaborative programmes, and philanthropic activities, it empowers scientists, strengthens institutions, and drives solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges. By sustaining long-term investment in research excellence, the foundation continues to shape a future where science contributes meaningfully to development, policy, and societal well-being across the continent.
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