One of the leading voices influencing the development of genome editing in Africa is Dr. Titus Obidi Magomere, an accomplished professor in Kenyatta University’s Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Biotechnology. Molecular genetics, plant molecular breeding, biotechnology, and biosafety are among Dr. Magomere’s areas of expertise. His involvement with the NASAC Gene Editing Technology Initiative was a vital component of his academic and research endeavors and has resulted in noticeable advancements in both his research and teaching of biotechnology and genome editing. It has also improved his ability to plan and carry out research initiatives aimed at enhancing crops through the application of cutting-edge breeding technology. Notably, he is now able to interact more actively with farmers, students, and stakeholders around the region because of the expansion of his outreach efforts.
He points out that the development of knowledgeable, science-based communication platforms has been one of the initiative’s most significant results. These have made it easier for information on genome editing to spread throughout continental, regional, and local networks. He has communicated and engaged with important members of the biotechnology ecosystem, including developers, regulators, legislators, and business actors, thanks to these platforms. He says that this kind of involvement is essential to the responsible development of this technology.
Greetings and welcome to the second edition of our NASAC e-bulletin for 2025. This issue offers a timely chance to reflect on the groundbreaking developments in African innovation, research, and policy. The work of Dr. Titus Obidi Magomere of Kenyatta University, whose leadership in genome editing symbolizes the continent’s flourishing scientific impetus, is highlighted in this edition. He is a good example of how African scientists can influence policy, engage communities, and create science-led regulatory frameworks through his participation in the NASAC Gene Editing Technology Initiative. We are reminded that responsible innovation, supported by openness, transparency, and inclusive discourse, is essential to realizing the potential of genome editing for economic growth, food security, and climate resilience.
Importantly, our member academies continue to maintain the highest standards of scientific excellence and policy relevance throughout the continent. The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) deserves praise for its recent strategic discussion on Lessons Learned for Antimicrobial Resistance (LL4AMR). This is an important step in combating one of the most important health issues of our day. NAS is strengthening Africa’s voice in global governance by learning from international science-policy organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Additionally, our scientific community is strengthened by the accomplishments of 11 eminent Fellows who were inducted into NAS.
We are also pleased to congratulate Professor Babajide Alo on his ‘Hallmarks Labour Foundation Role Model Award’ and Professor Oluwole Familoni on his appointment to the Commonwealth Chemistry Board. Future generations of African scientists are still motivated by their leadership.
In appreciation of her outstanding contributions to parasitology, epidemiology, and academic leadership, we would especially like to congratulate Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide FAS, former President of NAS, on her appointment as an Emerita Professor.
Let us keep building on these successes as we go forward with a shared ethic of honesty, creativity, and cooperation. I re-affirm that through communication, capacity building, and knowledge sharing that connects science and society, NASAC remains dedicated to enhancing the role of science in African development.
Sincerely,
PROF. MAHOUTON NORBERT HOUNKONNOU
President, Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)
NASAC organized its second 2025 Academy Synergy Building Sessions (ASBS 2025) webinar on 5th June 2025 titled “Strengthening Regional Teamwork”. The webinar was attended by approximately 20 participants from African science academies’ secretariats. The opening remarks by the NASAC Executive Director, Dr. Jackie Kado, emphasized the importance of collaborative work within institutions and across the continent, especially considering the recent endorsement of African regional hubs by the NASAC General Assembly. She highlighted that ASBS aimed to foster connections, share knowledge, and build trust among secretariat officials beyond formal meetings and strategic plans. She expressed hope that this meetings discussion will inspire more intentional regional collaboration in implementing NASAC programs across Africa.She introduced the session speaker, Prof. Ishmael Masesane, the President of the Botswana Academy of Science (BAS) who shared BAS’s experience of successful collaborations in the Southern African region.
His presentation highlighted the collaboration of six academies in Southern Africa SADC region through webinars, meetings and other engagements, who together have promoted gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, and innovation.
These academies are the Botswana Academy of Science (BAS), Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS), Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS), Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology (LAST) and the Academy of Science in Malawi. He noted the challenges of regional cooperation and the importance of including women to build a critical mass of scientists in countries with small populations. Prof. Masesane attributed the ease of collaboration to historical ties, common challenges, shared goals and multistakeholder engagement among the academies.
The Executive Director of NASAC, Dr. Jackie Kado, attended the Degrees Global Forum, which took place in the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, from May 12–16, 2025. This significant event, which was organized by the Degrees Initiative, brought together specialists from around the world to examine the political, social, and scientific aspects of solar radiation modification (SRM360).
She was honored to give the opening remarks to launch the forum in her role as Executive Director of NASAC and a member of the Degrees Initiative Board of Trustees. Her speech emphasized the significance of inclusive, evidence-based approaches to climate interventions like SRM and the crucial role that African scientific institutions play in the global climate conversation.
Dr. Kado took part in multiple sessions at the event that explored the intricate relationship between science, policy, and society in addressing climate issues. Among the engagement’s main highlights were:
- Promotion of African Scientific Engagement: Highlighting NASAC’s pioneering role in enhancing the connections between science, policy, and society, especially in the areas of climate resilience and sustainable development.
- Networking and Collaboration: Making connections with scholars, decision-makers, and industry professionals to find joint ventures for African science academies in climate-related projects.
- Increasing African Voices: Taking part in a media interview with the goal of bringing African viewpoints and traditional knowledge systems to the attention of international climate policy debates.
The Degrees Global Forum served as a valuable platform to reinforce NASAC’s contribution to shaping international climate policy and to advocate for the increased inclusion of African scientific expertise in global climate action.
The NASAC Executive Director, Dr. Jackie Kado, also participated in the inaugural Conference on Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Higher Education Integration, held on April 7–8, 2025, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The event was co-organized by OBREAL, the Pan African University (PAU), and the Association of African Universities (AAU), and hosted by the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC). It was supported by the Harmonisation of African Higher Education, Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA) initiative and the Government of Catalonia.
The conference brought together policymakers, university leaders, researchers, and development partners from across Africa and Europe to examine the synergies between economic integration and higher education development. Discussions focused on how AfCFTA can be a catalyst for transforming African higher education systems, with a shared commitment to advancing continental development objectives in both domains.
During the opening session, she emphasized the critical importance of enabling the free flow of knowledge and skills, asserting that it is just as vital as the free movement of goods and services. To support the implementation of the AfCFTA and foster sustainable economic growth across the continent, the Executive Director advocated for increased investment in research and development, as well as the elimination of legal barriers that hinder the mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
Key Takeaways:
- Emphasized the vital role of higher education in achieving AfCFTA objectives.
- Advocated for policies that promote academic mobility and mutual recognition of qualifications.
- Called for increased investment in research and development to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The conference concluded with strong consensus on the need for comprehensive training programs to raise awareness about the intersection of economic and higher education integration. Participants also reaffirmed the importance of sustained knowledge production, multilingualism, and inclusion in advancing the AfCFTA agenda.
The Nigerian Academy of Science, in collaboration with the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and Boston University, hosted a strategic dialogue workshop on Lessons Learned for Antimicrobial Resistance (LL4AMR) on the 28th and 29th of April 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria. The workshop brought together international experts to contribute to the Quadripartite organizations’ efforts in establishing an independent panel on AMR. The event aimed to draw key insights from existing international science panels, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to inform the structure and governance of a similar independent body addressing AMR.
On the 22nd of May 2025, NAS inducted 11 distinguished scientists—including one Foreign Fellow—into the Fellowship of the Academy during a ceremony held in Abuja. The new Fellows were elected at the Academy’s Annual General Meeting in January 2025. The Induction was preceded by a Public Lecture titled “Innovative Research and Strategic Partnerships: Catalysts for Sustainable Institutional Development”, delivered by Professor Babatunde Rabiu, Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS).
Professor Oluwole Familoni, FAS, a Professor of Chemistry and immediate past Treasurer of the Nigerian Academy of Science, was appointed as a Board Member of Commonwealth Chemistry starting in May 2025. His three-year tenure on the board highlights the Academy’s continued contribution to international scientific leadership.
Professor Emeritus Babajide Alo, FAS, received the Hallmarks Labour Foundation Role Model Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science. A distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry, Professor Alo previously served as the Foreign Secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide, FAS, was conferred the title of Emerita Professor by the University of Calabar. Professor Braide is a renowned expert in Parasitology and Epidemiology, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, and past Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) and Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA).
A new report titled ‘The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC Region’ by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) highlights substantial gaps and opportunities in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity across the 16 SADC member states. The study, based on expert consultations, desktop reviews, and regional workshops, reveals fragmented governance structures, limited diagnostic capacity beyond high-containment laboratories, and a shortage of trained personnel in both human and veterinary health sectors.
Key findings include inconsistent legal frameworks, limited laboratory accreditation, and weak sample management and waste disposal systems. To address these, the study recommends enhancing legal mechanisms, investing in sustainable laboratory infrastructure, fostering regional collaboration, expanding training programs, and adopting the One Health approach to harmonise systems across sectors.
ASSAf President Prof. Thokozani Majozi emphasised the importance of strengthening biosafety and biosecurity as a public health imperative. The study calls for urgent, coordinated regional action and sustained investment to mitigate biological risks and enhance health security across Southern Africa.
ASSAf is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Humanities Book Prize Awards. These awards recognise and celebrate outstanding scholarly contributions to humanist knowledge and intellectual discourse in South Africa.
Professor Hugo ka Canham has been awarded the 2025 ASSAf Humanities Book Award for his book Riotous Deathscapes.
In this groundbreaking work, Canham introduces “Mpondo theory”—a framework rooted in indigenous and Black ways of knowing—by exploring the amaMpondo people’s resilience in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. He examines the intersections of life, death, and systemic oppression, emphasising ancestral connections and the natural world as sites of resistance.
The Guinean Academy of Sciences (ASG) is proud to announce that Professors Abdoulaye Touré and Alpha Kabinet Keita, both Corresponding Members of ASG, have been jointly awarded the 2025 Christophe Mérieux Prize. This prestigious international distinction recognizes their outstanding contributions to the fight against infectious diseases, reinforcing the pivotal role of African science on the global stage.
Endowed with €500,000, the Christophe Mérieux Prize is awarded annually to support scientific research in developing countries focused on infectious diseases. The 2025 award not only honors the accomplishments of Professors Touré and Keita but also underscores the importance of sustained investment in African-led research and innovation.
- Abdoulaye Touré
A renowned pharmacist and epidemiologist, Prof. Touré is the Director of the Guinean Research and Training Center in Infectiology (CERFIG). He has played a leading role in Guinea’s responses to health crises, including Ebola, arboviruses, HIV, and COVID-19. His leadership has strengthened epidemic surveillance and health system preparedness across West Africa. - Alpha Kabinet Keita
A physician, virologist, and expert in genomic diagnostics and pathogen surveillance, Prof. Keita serves as Deputy Director of CERFIG and Rector of Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry. His pioneering research on emerging viruses has significantly advanced early detection and response strategies to health threats.
This recognition highlights the impact of collaborative, African-driven science in addressing global health challenges. Professors Touré and Keita exemplify the excellence, resilience, and vision necessary to drive forward a healthier and more secure future.
The Academy of Sciences, Arts, Cultures of Africa and African Diasporas (ASCAD) held an international, transdisciplinary conference with the theme “Mathematics: A Fundamental Discipline and Its ‘Unreasonable Effectiveness”. The conference took place from May 20–22, 2025.
The conference brought together researchers, educators, decision-makers, and students from across Africa and beyond to reflect on the central role of mathematics in scientific development, education, and innovation. Participants addressed the worrying global decline in mathematics education and discussed strategies to revive interest and strengthen mathematics learning at all levels.
Highlights included:
- Presentations on the integration of mathematics in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity
- Panels discussing mathematics’ impact on the social sciences, humanities, arts, and culture
- Contributions examining mathematics in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sciences
- Dialogue on educational reforms and strategies to enhance mathematics instruction
The conference fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and underscored the value of mathematics in addressing real-world challenges. It concluded with actionable recommendations aimed at policymakers, educators, and academic institutions.
This recognition highlights the impact of collaborative, African-driven science in addressing global health challenges. Professors Touré and Keita exemplify the excellence, resilience, and vision necessary to drive forward a healthier and more secure future.
The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) was established on 13 December 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya and is currently the affiliate Network for the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) in Africa.
NASAC is a consortium of merit-based science academies in Africa that aspires to make the “voice of science” heard by policy and decision makers within and outside the continent. NASAC is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of existing national science academies and champions in the cause for creation of new academies where none exist.
- African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
- Algerian Academy of Science and Technology (AAST)
- National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Benin (ANSALB)
- Botswana Academy of Sciences (BAS)
- The National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Burkina Faso (ANSB)
- Burundi Academy of Sciences and Technology (BAST)
- Cameroon Academy of Sciences (CAS)
- National Academy of Sciences and Technologies of Congo (ANSTC)
- Congolese Academy of Sciences (ACCOS) Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Academy of Sciences, Arts, Cultures of Africa and African Diasporas (ASCAD), Cote d’Ivoire
- Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), Egypt – Provisional Member
- Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS) – Provisional Member
- Académie des Sciences du Mali (ASM)
- Académie des Sciences du Guinée (ASG)
- Ethiopian Academy of Science (EAS)
- Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS)
- Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS)
- Madagascar’s National Academy of Arts Letters and Sciences
- Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST)
- Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology in Morocco
- Academy of Sciences of Mozambique (ASM)
- Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS)
- Rwanda Academy of Sciences (RAS)
- Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal (ANSTS)
- Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
- Sudanese National Academy of Science (SNAS)
- Tanzania Academy of Sciences (TAS)
- National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Togo (ANSALT)
- Tunisia Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters
- Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS)
- Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS)