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UKCEH is collaborating with UNESCO on a new initiative, Sankore, to strengthen the national Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) ecosystems in West Africa. 

Sankore, a new £1.9 million initiative, was launched this week by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (FMIST), and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST). 

The programme, part of the UK-Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP), aims to deepen collaboration between the UK, Nigeria, and Ghana, supporting key agreements like the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy (2023-2027) and the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership signed in November 2024. 

With Africa’s science ecosystem rapidly growing, initiatives like Sankore could help Nigeria and Ghana leverage research, innovation, and policy reforms to drive economic transformation. 

Head of UKCEH’s West Africa Office, Adelaide Asante said,  

“We are delighted to be a key partner in this initiative to help strengthen science, technology and innovation in West Africa. With a leading role in the commercialisation activities and the establishment of an ST&I helpdesk, we look forward to contributing to the programme, which will unlock new opportunities for start-ups, researchers and investors in the region.�� 

Key focus areas of Sankore�� 

Sankore will work closely with stakeholders in Nigeria and Ghana to: 

• Support the operationalization of Ghana’s National Research Fund (GNRF) and Nigeria’s National Research Fund (NRF). 
• Help Nigeria establish its National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC). 
• Boost commercialization of innovative solutions in key sectors like agriculture and energy. 
• Improve policies and regulations for innovation, ensuring better data access for businesses and researchers. 
• Set up a Helpdesk to provide expert guidance to governments and partners. 

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At the launch in Abuja, UK’s Head of Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit, Ms Susan Mshana said: “Sankore will strengthen the UK’s long-term partnership with West Africa, driving economic growth through innovation. By combining our expertise, we aim to boost job creation, economic diversification, and service delivery in Nigeria and Ghana.”�� 

Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science & Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, stated that the Sankore initiative would position Ghana as a regional hub for scientific and technological advancement, adding that innovation is key to building a strong economy. 

Implementation and timeline�� 

Sankore will be delivered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Results for Development (R4D) collaborating with local and international partners to ensure effective implementation and knowledge transfer. 

UKCEH’s West Africa Office in Accra, Ghana, will lead the development of a Science, Technology and Innovation helpdesk for West Africa to enhance resource mapping, stakeholder engagement and innovation support mechanisms. UKCEH will work with existing partners including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Ghana and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructures (NASENI) and National Office for Technology Aquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in Nigeria. 

The initiative will run for 15 months, concluding by 31 March 2026.