SAIRC Research Network Agenda

Overview

Our international research platform is designed to promote excellence and innovation that addresses critical challenges in human and economic development. Our mission is to inspire innovation and lead research for global impact and sustainable human development, with a focus on collaborative, multidisciplinary, and African-led research. The network is committed to becoming a center of research excellence for the creation and advancement of knowledge that provides tangible benefits to society.

Communities of Research Excellence (CREs)

Multidisciplinary communities of experts who collaboratively design and execute research projects on key thematic areas. They act as platforms for co-creation, capacity building, and developing evidence-informed solutions.

Open-Access Digital Knowledge Repository

A central hub for knowledge exchange and international collaboration. It will serve as a repository of research data and findings for scientists, researchers, academics, and institutions globally.

Diversity, Equality and Respect

An autonomous, pan-African endowment fund to provide independent, long-term financing for Africa-led research. It aims to empower Africa's scientific sovereignty by funding high-impact research aligned with the continent’s priorities.

Thematic Research Areas

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  1. Agriculture & Food Systems: Develops climate-smart agriculture, optimizes food value chains, and uses technology to enhance food security and farmer incomes.
  2. Natural Capital & Carbon Markets: Focuses on valuing natural assets, creating high-integrity carbon market frameworks, and ensuring equitable benefits for a just transition.
  3. Sustainability Research: Explores climate resilience, clean energy transitions, sustainable urbanization, and the interconnectedness of environmental health and ecosystem services.
  1. Institutional Leadership & Governance: Strengthens public sector governance, enhances institutional capacity, and promotes data-driven and inclusive governance models.
  2. Financing and Public Policy in Africa: Identifies innovative financing mechanisms, improves domestic resource mobilization, and creates stable policy frameworks for investment.
  3. Family Science & Cultures: Investigates evolving family structures, cultural values, and kinship systems to inform policies that strengthen well-being and social cohesion.
  1. Digital Transformation, AI, Big Data & Future Societies: Addresses the development of AI infrastructure, human-centric AI solutions, and ethical governance to leverage technology for sustainable development.
  2. Enterprise Development, The Future of Work, & Economic Growth in Africa: Focuses on fostering entrepreneurship, navigating the evolving labor market, and diversifying economies to build resilience and create jobs.
  3. STEM & Innovation: Aims to transform STEM education, strengthen research infrastructure, and foster innovation ecosystems to drive industrialization.
  1. One Health – People & Planet: Integrates digital infrastructure and data analytics for comprehensive surveillance and prevention of health threats across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
  2. Climate Innovation & Clean Energy: Explores strategic investment pathways, scales local innovations, and harmonizes policies to accelerate Africa’s transition to clean energy.