The third edition of the 2025 Academy Development Initiative (ADI 2025) webinar, held on 4 September 2025, focused on “The Value of Academy Membership.” Dr. Jackie Kado, Executive Director of NASAC, delivered the keynote address, offering thought-provoking reflections on the foundations of science academies, the responsibilities of fellowship, and the transformative role academies play in science and society. A total of 68 participants attended the webinar.
Foundations of Science Academies and Membership
In her opening remarks, Dr. Kado underscored that science academies must remain merit-based, trusted, and independent institutions, dedicated to recognizing excellence and advancing knowledge for the common good. She traced the historical evolution of academies—beginning in 17th-century Europe and later extending to Africa in the 20th century—and highlighted NASAC’s contribution to this growth. Since its establishment in 2001, NASAC has nurtured a vibrant academy ecosystem that now encompasses 32 member academies across the continent.
The Benefits of Membership
Dr. Kado emphasized that academy membership is not merely an accolade but a responsibility. Fellows enhance the prestige of their academies while contributing to their impact through advisory services, mentoring young scientists, and shaping critical policy dialogues. Membership also brings tangible benefits, including global visibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participation in international scientific platforms. Such engagement enriches both the individual and the institution, creating a cycle of mutual strength and influence.
Impact on Academies and Society
She concluded by reminding participants that the vitality of any academy lies in its members. Active and engaged fellows drive credibility, dynamism, and relevance. Through their expertise, academies can inform evidence-based policymaking, strengthen education, foster innovation, and contribute to sustainable development across Africa
Dear Colleagues,
This edition of the NASAC e-Bulletin demonstrates how our academies and Fellows continue to make a tangible impact on science and society across the continent.
As the Executive Director of NASAC highlighted during the recent ADI webinar, academy membership is more than an honor, it is a responsibility. It calls for active engagement, credibility, and leadership. Our members are the foundation of vibrant academies, and through their active participation, we ensure that science remains central to Africa’s development solutions.
We also take pride in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our Fellows and member academies:
- A.G.O. Mutambara’s recent publications on Artificial Intelligence, including one ranked among the Top 10 Must-Read titles globally, affirm Africa’s thought leadership in frontier technologies and their role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Mohamed Hassan’s election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS) is a historic distinction that places African science firmly on the global map.
- The Kenya National Academy of Sciences is preparing the next generation of scholars through its Young Career Researchers initiative in Kenya and Rwanda.
- The Nigerian Academy of Science is taking on urgent national issues, from guiding debates on the therapeutic use of cannabis oil to shaping a knowledge-based economy.
- The Académie Nationale des Sciences, Arts et Lettres du Bénin (ANSALB) celebrated its distinguished founding member, Prof. François Adébayo ABIOLA, with a three-day commemoration in Sakété from 1–3 August 2025. The tribute coincided with Benin’s 65th Independence celebrations, during which a street in Sakété was renamed Rue François Adébayo ABIOLA in his honor. The program also featured an international scientific colloquium on “Formation, Heritage, and Modeling: The Quality of Man to Better Serve Society,” which brought together researchers, policymakers, and civil society leaders from across Africa and beyond. As President of NASAC, I had the honor of presiding over the event, which highlighted Prof. ABIOLA’s enduring influence on science and society in Benin and across the continent.
In my recent address at the IHRN Meeting in Oslo, I underscored the vital link between financing, academic freedom, and open access, reminding colleagues that scientific freedom is not a privilege but a necessity. I emphasized NASAC’s call for open science that is transparent, inclusive, and globally equitable.
As we prepare for 2025 Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA 2025) in Rabat, Morocco, I urge all fellows to remain active within their academies, visible in their communities, and engaged on both regional and global platforms. Together, we can amplify the collective voice of science and ensure it contributes meaningfully to sustainable development and global progress.
With best regards,
Prof. Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou
President, NASAC
On 10 September 2025, at the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRN) Meeting in Oslo, NASAC President, Prof. Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou, delivered a keynote highlighting the inseparable link between financing, academic freedom, and open access.
He reminded participants that scientific freedom is not a privilege but a necessity, a cornerstone of just and progressive societies. Prof. Hounkonnou cautioned that financial constraints and inequities in publishing models risk undermining scholarly independence, particularly in the Global South.
Reaffirming NASAC’s 2024 Statement on Open Science, he stressed that openness must be inclusive, equitable, and balanced by ethical and legal considerations. He emphasized that open science should not only democratize access to results but also expand participation, engaging young scholars, under-resourced institutions, and indigenous knowledge systems alongside global research leaders.
His message was clear: safeguarding academic freedom and advancing open science are critical to building a vibrant, globally connected, and locally responsive research community that can drive sustainable development.
The NASAC–NYAs (National Young Academies) quarterly webinar, held on 14 August 2025, brought together National Young Academies to discuss pressing issues affecting young scientists.
Opening the session, NASAC President, Prof. Honnokonou, emphasized the critical role of young researchers in driving Africa’s innovation agenda and urged NYAs to apply for associate membership of NASAC to strengthen collaboration.
A key highlight was the Joint NASAC–NYA Statement on Africa’s Emerging Researchers at Risk, which warned of the continent’s annual loss of 70,000 researchers and the failure to meet the African Union’s target of investing 1% of GDP in research and development. Proposed reforms included establishing National Science Foundations, funding science academies, promoting public–private partnerships, and expanding postdoctoral opportunities.
NASAC Executive Director, Dr. Jackie Kado, outlined the associate membership application process, clarifying eligibility, documentation, and flexibility for academies facing structural challenges. Applications are due by 15 October 2025.
Prof. Nkanga, Co-Founder of the DRC Young Academy of Science, also presented findings from a Global Young Academy survey on equity and inclusion in membership practices. Participants agreed to track associate membership applications and report back at the October webinar.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Honnokonou, thanked participants for their engagement and reiterated the importance of strengthening the collective voice of African science academies. The next NASAC–NYA webinar will take place on 17 October 2025.
As a consortium of 32 African science academies, NASAC holds a pivotal position to influence and guide its members in Africa and global scientific community. In this capacity, NASAC has spearheaded the climate issue holistically in Africa and published a comprehensive document on protecting human health from climate change in Africa. This work represents the committed and continued interest of NASAC, evolving from its initial work on climate change, adaptation, and resilience in Africa as well as serving as a platform for future projects like Green Hydrogen.
Dr. Deoraj Caussy (Mauritius), one of the Working Members of the Climate Change and Health highlights that the NASAC publication on Climate and Health has had far-reaching impacts. The publication has been disseminated in different fora, including COP24, the European Union, 2023 Science Forum South Africa (SFSA 2023), AMASA 2023 and 2024, culminating in citations in peer-reviewed scientific journals including PLOS, Global Policy, and Lancet (in press). This also prompted other academies, such as the South African Academy of Science, ASSAf, and the Academy of Medical Sciences, to address similar projects, thus increasing the pool of scientists trained in climate change and health
Prof. A.G.O. Mutambara, a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences, has positioned African scholarship at the forefront of global Artificial Intelligence (AI) discourse with two landmark publications. His first book “Artificial Intelligence” was ranked among the Top 10 Must-Read titles worldwide, while his second volume explores how AI can be harnessed to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prof. Mohamed Hassan, founding President of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS). This prestigious recognition is a testament to his exceptional contributions to science and global science policy.
The Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) is launching a Young Career Researchers initiative to connect academically excellent students from Kenya and Rwanda. This program will serve as a collaborative research platform, enabling young scholars to work together on pressing scientific challenges while benefiting from mentorship by senior academy Fellows. By linking emerging researchers within Africa and internationally, KNAS aims to build a strong pipeline of future scientific leaders. Applications are open for the 2025 intake.
The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) is driving national dialogue on critical scientific and policy issues. It has constituted a study committee to examine the therapeutic use of cannabis oil in Nigeria. The committee will review global evidence, regulatory frameworks, and potential risks, with the goal of delivering evidence-based recommendations to guide national policy.
7th Annual Scientific Conference
NAS will host its 7th Annual Scientific Conference on 27–28 January 2026 in Abuja, themed “From Research to Market: The Making of Knowledge-Based Economies.” Subthemes include:
- Food security solutions
- Sustainable energy systems
- Biomedical innovations
- Smart materials
- Emerging digital technologies
- Green technologies
- Building capacity for knowledge-based economies
Abstract submissions close on 26 September 2025. .
The Congolese Academy of Sciences (ACCOS) held a medical webinar in July 2025 focused on advances in the fight against cancer in DR Congo. During the same period, Prof. Jean-Jacques Muyembe was re-elected as President of ACCOS for another three-year term. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Sorbonne University and received the Knight’s Cross of the Legion of Honor at the French Embassy in Kinshasa, on behalf of the President of France.
The Académie Nationale des Sciences, Arts et Lettres du Bénin (ANSALB) celebrated its distinguished founding member, Prof. François Adébayo ABIOLA, with a three-day event in Sakété from 1–3 August 2025. The celebration coincided with Benin’s 65th Independence commemorations, during which a street in Sakété was named Rue François Adébayo ABIOLA in his honor.
The program also featured an international scientific colloquium on “Formation, Heritage, and Modeling: The Quality of Man to Better Serve Society,” which brought together researchers, policymakers, and civil society leaders from across Africa and beyond. The event presided over by NASAC President Prof. Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou, underscored Prof. ABIOLA’s enduring influence on science and society in Benin and the continent.
Highlights included:
1 August 2025: As part of Benin’s 65th Independence Day, a street in Sakété was renamed Rue François Adébayo ABIOLA.
2–3 August 2025: An international scientific colloquium on “Formation, Heritage, and Modeling: The Quality of Man to Better Serve Society,” gathering researchers, policymakers, and civil society from across Africa and beyond.The event was presided over by Prof. Hounkonnou, President of NASAC.
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)