NASAC is delighted to announce the commencement of this year’s Academy Development Initiative (ADI) and Academy Synergy Building Sessions (ASBS) series of webinars. The quarterly webinars are designed to enhance the capacity of NASAC member academies and potential academies and promote stronger inter- and intra-academy collaborations across Africa.
The topics identified for ADI will include: (i) Tenets of Good Strategic Planning; (ii) Enhancing Effective Stakeholder Engagement: (iii) The Value of Academy Membership; and (iv) Promoting Gender Equity in the Academy. At the same time, the topics selected for ASBS will include: (i) Conflict Resolution in the Workplace: (ii) Strengthening Regional Teamwork (iii) Leading Organizational Change; and (iv) Effective Grant Management for Academy Projects.
These topics are crafted to foster peer learning and provide a platform for NASAC members and partners to exchange insights and proven practices on building the individual and institutional capacities of academies. Additionally, they are aimed at cultivating a network-based corporate culture of excellence, efficiency, cohesion, and synergy within the NASAC community.
By participating, attendees will gain first-hand experience from experienced speakers and learn from each another how to set up and run new independent national science academies where none exist. Furthermore, they will share proven practices adaptable to their unique contexts and situations
These webinars are open to all NASAC members, potential science academies, and partners. They offer valuable resources for those engaged in advancing the work of national science academies across Africa.
Please visit the ADI and ASBS web pages on the NASAC website for detailed information on the upcoming and previous sessions.
In this first quarter of 2025, please accept our warmest greetings and well wishes to all members and partners of NASAC.
In this issue of The Science Networker NASAC’s active engagement in fostering scientific collaboration across Africa is highlighted. NASAC’s leadership role in addressing key challenges through science and knowledge exchange is also mentioned. All NASAC members are encouraged to stay connected, continue to participate in upcoming initiatives, and to contribute enthusiastically to ongoing efforts that strive to advance science and technology in Africa.
This year, NASAC member academies are taking bold steps toward fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of climate and societal challenges. Firstly, the Academy of Sciences of South Africa’s (ASSAf) took leadership to host the Science20 forum in Pretoria, South Africa, in February 2025. The S20 forum’s theme was Climate Change and Well-Being. Secondly, the changes in academy leadership by the academies in Ghana and Nigeria is pivotal in creating dynamic governance in the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) and the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) respectively.
NASAC remains committed to advancing climate adaptation, resilience, and transformative scientific policies. We look forward to deeper engagement with our member academies to strengthen Africa’s leadership in science-driven solutions for a sustainable future.
The Academy Development Initiative (ADI) and Academy Synergy Building Sessions (ASBS) are key pillars in this journey, fostering collaboration and institutional growth across our network. We encourage all member academies to actively participate and contribute to these initiatives, ensuring that together, we drive meaningful impact through science, innovation, and collective action.
Warm regards,
PROF. MAHOUTON NORBERT HOUNKONNOU
President, NASAC
The 2025 Science20 (S20) summit, coordinated by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), was held from February 25-27 in Pretoria, South Africa under the theme Climate Change and Well-being. The event successfully brought together scientific leaders from G20 countries to engage in crucial discussions on the intersection of climate, food, water, energy, and land systems and served as a platform to foster collaboration and innovation for climate resilience and sustainable development. The discussions focused on developing science-driven solutions that address global challenges and align with South Africa’s broader efforts as it holds the G20 presidency for 2024-2025.
Professor Lokhat is the Academic Leader for Chemical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and heads the Reactor Technology Research Group within the School of Engineering. He holds an MSc (cum laude) and a PhD in chemical engineering from UKZN, with his postgraduate research focusing on chemical reaction engineering and reactor technology. His primary research interests include process intensification in reactor technology and mass contactors. Professor Lokhat has received several accolades, including the 2013 South African Institution of Chemical Engineers Innovation Award. He has also served as President of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers and is a rated scientist with the National Research Foundation of South Africa. In 2019, he was awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, and in early 2020, he was appointed as an adjudicator for the NSTF-South32 Awards, the national awards for the science and technology sector in South Africa.
Dr. Majavu is a research and development chemist in Sibanye Stillwater Precious Metal Refinery’s research and development department. She has published in both international and local journals and has presented her work at various conferences, including the International Conference on Coordination Chemistry in Singapore. Dr. Majavu has also been an exchange student at the University of Florence, Italy. She is a strong advocate for women in mining and has contributed to the Women in Mining South Africa Technical Committee. In 2021, she was recognized as the “Rock Star” for highest performance at Sibanye Stillwater Precious Metal Refinery. Notably, Dr. Majavu is the first individual from the industrial sector to be part of SAYAS. She is also a co-founder and the first deputy president of the South African Association of PhDs, a nonprofit organization.
SAYAS represents young scientists across South Africa, aiming to influence policy decisions, promote science awareness, and support educational activities for research and development.
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has ushered in a new era with its newly constituted 2025-2026 Council. Led by Emerita Prof. Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi as President, the council is poised to elevate GAAS’s leadership in academic excellence and societal impact. This leadership includes distinguished figures like Prof. Alfred Apau Oteng-Yeboah, Vice President of the Sciences, and Emerita Prof. Takyiwaa Manuh, Vice President of the Arts. The new leadership will focus on tackling Ghana’s and Africa’s pressing challenges in health, environment, education, and sustainable development.
GAAS has broken barriers by installing women in its leadership by appointing Emerita Prof. Isabella Quakyi’ s as President, marking an historic moment for GAAS and breaking new ground for women in leadership within academia. Additionally, Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has been inducted as a Fellow of GAAS, celebrating her transformative contributions to education and societal progress.The learning collaborative side event successfully set the stage for continued collaboration among African universities and science academies, aiming to enhance their roles as agents of change, with an emphasis on achieving financial sustainability and contributing to the continent’s development goals.
The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) held its Annual General Meeting on January 23, 2025, in Abuja. The meeting marked several milestones, being:
1. Commissioning of the NAS-TY Danjuma Science Museum and Library
The newly inaugurated museum will deepen the connection between science and the public, with attendance from key figures such as General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma and NASAC President Prof. Norbert Hounkonnou.
2. NAS 6th Annual Scientific Conference
Held on January 21-22, 2025, the conference focused on Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Nigeria, featuring discussions on critical environmental issues.
3. Investiture of Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo as NAS President
Prof. Sambo’s installation as the 20th President signals a new era of leadership for NAS, with a strong focus on advancing scientific research and policy in Nigeria.
4. Constitution of NAS’s 49th Council
The newly formed council will guide the Academy’s work on key scientific and developmental issues. The constituted Council is as follows:
Professor Abubakar Sambo, FAS – President
Professor Friday Okonofua, FAS – Vice President
Professor Olatunde Farombi, FAS – Treasurer
Professor Olubukola Babalola, FAS – Foreign Secretary
Professor Olukayode Olopade, FAS – Chair, Publications Committee
Professor Akii Ibhadode, FAS – Academic Secretary Physical Sciences
Professor Musbau Akanji, FAS – Academic Secretary Biological Sciences
Professor Chinedum Babalola, FAS – Public Affairs Secretary
Professor Alex Acholonu, FAS – Representative Biological Sciences
Professor Morenike Ukpong, FAS – Representative Biological Sciences
Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku, FAS – Representative Biological Sciences
Professor Peter Akah, FAS – Representative Biological Sciences
Professor Emmanuel Unuabonah, FAS – Representative Physical Sciences
Professor Abel Olayinka, FAS – Representative Physical Sciences
Professor Chidi Akujor, FAS – Representative Physical Sciences
Professor Bamidele Olu-Owolabi, FAS – Representative Physical Sciences
Professor Ekanem Braide, FAS – Past President
The Sudanese National Academy of Sciences (SNAS) will host an online course on ‘Increasing Awareness of Predatory Academic Practices’. The course is available in English and in Arabic. SNAS has also produced the podcast “Sudanese Sparks”, where it has interviewed Sudanese researchers, scientists, physicians, anthropologists, archaeologists, among many others.
To commemorate the first anniversary of Academician Prof. Paulin Jidénu Hountondji’s passing which occurred on 2 February 2024, an international symposium was held from February 3-5, 2025. Organized by his colleagues from the University of Toulouse and the University of Abomey-Calavi, the event took place in multiple institutions, including the Centre Jacques Berque and École Normale Supérieure in Paris. The symposium explored Hountondji’s work on African philosophy, ethnophilosophy, indigenous knowledge, and his critique of extraversion, contributing to the preservation of his philosophical legacy.
A tribute symposium, “Professor Brice SINSIN: From Forest Engineer to Rector of the University of Abomey-Calavi”, took place from February 5-7, 2025 in honor of Professor Sinsin ahead of his retirement. Recognized as a leading scientist in ecology, he founded the Applied Ecology Laboratory at the University of Abomey-Calavi. The event celebrated his distinguished career, analyzing the impact of his scientific work on Benin and the global stage. The symposium focused on his scientific achievements, the laboratory’s 30 years of research, and the lessons learned from his career.
Prof. Joshua Ondura Ogendo has been appointed as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) of Kibabii University, effective January 3rd, 2025. A member of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) since 2024 and an Associate Professor of Crop Protection, he brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Egerton University, including Principal of Nakuru City Campus College and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. With a PhD in Agronomy (Crop Protection), his expertise in bio-intensive pest management and food security enhances his leadership in academic and professional development. His proactive approach is set to significantly elevate the academic landscape at Kibabii University.
The Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts – Beit Al-Hikma hosted a significant scientific event aimed at addressing the complex crises facing humanity, while exploring sustainable, inclusive solutions for a more resilient future on 17 February 2025. Rooted in a North African perspective, this gathering also highlighted Africa’s critical role and contributions in tackling climate challenges, advancing circular economy practices, and promoting eco-finance for sustainable development.
This event brought together seven expert speakers and researchers, both emerging and established, from fields such as sustainable development, circular economy, eco-finance, and climate transition. Among them were three distinguished UNESCO Chair holders active across the African continent, whose insights illuminated the pathways toward resilience and sustainability. Emphasizing collaborative innovation and ethical development approaches, the event took place at the prestigious Palace of Beit Al-Hikma, a renowned centre for knowledge exchange and intellectual engagement.
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)