UNESCO, Partners Launches Sankore Project for Economic Development

UNESCO, in collaboration with its partners, has launched the Sankore project in West Africa to promote economic diversification and development.

The programme was inaugurated in Abuja on Thursday through a partnership with Results for Development (R4D) and the UK International Development, under the “Strengthening UK-West Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development” initiative.

The Sankore project introduces a grant delivery mechanism valued at £1.9 million, backed by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), stated that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda on economic growth.

“The Sankore project promises enhanced economic growth in improving public service delivery and raise strong partners across our region.

Importantly, it seeks to address and establish through both frameworks to ensure coordinated project delivery and results monitoring of outcomes and impacts,” he said, adding that a steering committee would be formed to provide strategic direction and ensure accountability.

Ms. Susan Mshana, Deputy Director and Head of the Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit at the British High Commission, noted that the programme complements existing UK interventions such as the Global Innovation Fund, Manufacturing Africa, and British International Investment.

She explained that “Sankore will be supportive in operationalising the Ghana National Research Fund, the Nigerian National Research Fund, facilitating the commercialisation of innovation solutions in priority economic sectors such as agriculture and energy.

“It will enhance the innovation and technology policy and regulatory environment, including improving data accessibility and transparency in policy implementation to grow productivity of innovation ecosystem.”

Dr. Ibrahim Murtala, Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, highlighted poor investment in Research and Development (R&D) as a critical factor stalling Africa’s progress.

He stated, “The average investment for R&D stood at about 0.42 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa and 0.3 per cent of GDP in Ghana after more than four decades of the Lagos Declaration.

“The declaration enjoined African countries to invest at least one per cent of GDP in Research and Development (R&D).”

He further added that “Sankore will be a catalyst to securing Ghana’s future as a hub for scientific advancement and technological innovation in the region,” emphasising the need for commitment to overcome challenges.

Ms. Kornelia Tzinova, Head of the Natural Sciences Sector at UNESCO’s West Africa Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed that the project would run until March 2026.

She explained, “We will be ensuring that we strengthen the National Science Technology and Innovation systems in both Ghana and Nigeria.

“The two countries have been chosen also to strengthen the UK, Nigeria and Ghana bilateral strategies in science, technology and innovation.”

Earlier, Mr. Edmond Moukala, Head of UNESCO Office, Ghana, underscored the project’s role in assisting both Ghana and Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He highlighted that UNESCO, as the lead agency for the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), is seizing this opportunity to advance scientific progress for humanity and address pressing challenges in West Africa.

“The decade represents a unique opportunity for science to serve humanity and to protect our planet. It is also an opportunity to force societies to solve the most pressing challenges in West Africa.

“The Sankore project, therefore, presents a platform that will foster the ideas of the decade,” he remarked.

The Sankore project is designed to assist Nigeria and Ghana in tackling challenges related to economic diversification, job creation, and climate resilience through science, technology, and innovation (STI) initiatives.

The initiative is implemented by UNESCO and R4D, alongside Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), and other stakeholders.

NAN