The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (FMIST) and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), have officially launched Sankore, an initiative valued at £1.9 million designed to enhance science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) environments across West African nations.
As part of the UK-Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) Program, Sankore will enhance the United Kingdom’s relationships with Nigeria and Ghana. This initiative supports crucial strategies such as the UK-Ghana Science, Technology & Innovation Strategy from 2023 to 2027 and the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership, which was agreed upon in November 2024 between the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, and Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Centering on Nigeria and Ghana, Sankore will collaborate intensively with stakeholders in West Africa to:
— Assist with the implementation of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) and the Nigeria National Research Fund (NRF).
— Assist Nigeria in establishing its National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) as an operational entity.
— Promote the commercialization of innovative solutions in key economic areas like agriculture and energy.
— Improve the policy and regulatory framework to foster innovation, enhancing data access and transparency for stakeholders within the ecosystem;
– Set up a demand-driven Helpdesk to support FCDO and governmental partners, offering expert guidance and advice.
At the program launch in Abuja, the UK’s Head of Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit, Ms. Susan Mshana, stated that the Sankore initiative represents an exhilarating enhancement aimed at bolstering the United Kingdom’s enduring collaboration with the governments of West African nations. This new venture seeks to foster economic expansion via innovative approaches.
“Through utilizing our abilities, assets, and knowledge, we strive to hasten the common objectives of economic diversity, employment generation, and enhanced service provision in both Nigeria and Ghana,” she mentioned additionally.
Additionally, Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, stated: “Innovation plays a crucial role in fostering a robust and equitable economy. The Sankore initiative will serve as a driving force behind positioning Ghana as a leader in scientific progress and technological development within the area. We are excited about working alongside numerous collaborators contributing their knowledge and skills to this collective effort.”
Furthermore, the Honorable Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Nigeria, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji stated: “At the FMIST, we aim to promote sustainable growth by encouraging locally developed innovations while incorporating international scientific advances to secure Nigeria’s advancement globally. The project known as Sankore signifies a crucial step forward in our significant and fruitful collaboration with the United Kingdom, working together towards a prosperous future for all Nigerians via state-of-the-art technologies and enhanced economics.”
Sankore will be provided by UNESCO and R4D working alongside local and international collaborators to guarantee successful execution and knowledge sharing.
The project will span 15 months, coming to an end by March 31, 2026.
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