The UK government today has announced up to £1.9 million in funding to strengthen science, technology and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria through its West Africa Research and Innovation Hub.

The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with governments in Ghana and Nigeria on Science, Technology and Innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and enhance government digital service delivery.

Named after a medieval centre of learning in West Africa, Sankore will support the implementation of the UK-Ghana Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. It will promote collaborative work between universities, research centres and the private sector, and help turn new ideas into useful products for industry and support projects that fit with Ghana’s tech goals.

Launching a call for proposals at a press conference in Accra, Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, said:

This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford said:

Sankore will serve as a financing vehicle to catalyse the implementation of the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy. This initiative is one of many initiatives the Ministry with the support of the UK Government intends to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s Technological Innovation. We are happy to partner key actors in the innovation ecosystem to drive the economic transformation in Ghana through ST&I.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson added: > The launch of Sankore sends a clear message: the UK sees enormous value in partnering with African countries on science, technology and innovation, and we are committed to bringing those partnerships to life. This grant will further strengthen our existing partnerships on science, tech and innovation, in line with our joint the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Rwanda’s real GDP grew by 9.7% in the first quarter of 2024, exceeding the previous year’s growth rate of 8.2%. The latest edition of the Rwanda Economic Update (REU), launched today, highlights that despite the global economic slowdown, Rwanda has shown remarkable resilience, driven by strong consumer spending in key sectors such as services and industry.

Despite ongoing challenges, Rwanda’s labor market experienced a strong recovery, with over half a million new jobs created in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking the most significant reduction in unemployment since the COVID pandemic.

“The labor market expansion in Rwanda was broad-based, with women benefiting slightly more than men. To leverage its youth demographic, Rwanda needs to expand labor force participation, as only 2.8 million out of 8.1 million working age individuals are employed full time,” said Calvin Djiofack Zebaze, World Bank Senior Country Economist for Rwanda. “The World Bank supports Rwanda to leverage its predominantly young population through improved education, training, and dignified employment opportunities to drive future growth.”

According to the 23rd edition of the REU, titled Accelerating Skills Development to Foster Private Sector Growth in Rwanda, inflation, which peaked at over 21% in 2023, has since moderated due to tighter monetary policies and lower food prices, reflecting improved supplies of fresh produce. By August 2024, headline inflation had slowed to 5.0% year-on-year, bringing it within the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range.

The REU emphasizes that skills development is crucial for private sector growth, noting that an inadequately educated workforce is a major obstacle for growth of firms in Rwanda. The report stresses that significant efforts are required to improve job matching, increase public investment in education, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education, and ensure better alignment between education and the labor market. Sector audits in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, urbanization, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) highlight the urgent need for skills enhancement.

“Skills development is critical to achieving Rwanda’s Vision 2050 goals. By building a comprehensive system focused on sector-specific skills, Rwanda can cultivate a workforce equipped to meet its growth and economic objectives,” said Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda. “This report launch coincides with the recent approval of the $200 million Rwanda Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment Project which will address challenges identified in the report by increasing opportunities for 200,000 vulnerable youths to acquire market-demanded skills.”

The REU recommends strengthening institutional mechanisms for identifying skills gaps and market opportunities, while continually improving the quality of technical and vocational education. The report also calls for greater access to scholarships and financial aid, particularly for disadvantaged students, enhancing digital literacy, and reinforcing partnerships between academia and employers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

The United States announced today nearly $14 million in additional humanitarian assistance for refugees and their host communities in Uganda. The funding builds on commitments to the populations in-country and brings total humanitarian funding in Uganda to date in Fiscal Year 2024 to more than $83 million. U.S. government humanitarian support in Uganda is provided through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Program (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The United States provides approximately half of all humanitarian funding in Uganda and is the country’s largest donor of humanitarian assistance. The nearly $14 million announced today was contributed over the past month and comes from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), which will provide it via six humanitarian NGOs.

This new humanitarian assistance will fund programs in ten refugee settlements in Uganda, as well as for urban refugees living in Kampala. These programs will provide critical education, livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial support, and protection services for refugees and their Ugandan host communities. U.S. Ambassador William Popp said, “from assisting farmer groups in Bidibidi, to employing protection case workers in Kiryandongo, to supporting secondary education in Adjumani, we are proud to be Uganda’s largest partner in humanitarian assistance, as well as the largest funder of UNHCR, IOM, and WFP. This is part of our decades-long partnership with the Ugandan people, and commitment to help vulnerable refugees the world over.”

The United States’ humanitarian funding is designed to benefit both refugees and the Ugandan communities hosting them. Every program includes support for the surrounding communities, ensuring local input and generating employment for Ugandans. All refugee-serving facilities are also open to Ugandan citizens, with millions of Ugandans benefiting every year from the health care, education, clean water, and jobs training that U.S. funding enables.

The United States remains in partnership with the people of Uganda and will continue to work together to ensure the well-being of vulnerable refugees in the country. For more details on the full scope of the United States’ partnership with the people of Uganda, please see the U.S. Embassy’s “Report to the Ugandan People.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Uganda.

The Football Foundation for Africa (FFA) (www.FootballFoundation.Africa) is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic partnership with Kenyatta University (KU), one of Africa’s leading institutions of higher learning and a trailblazer in sports education across the continent. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the Foundation’s mission to harness the power of football as a catalyst for social and economic transformation in Africa. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration in four critical areas: academic partnerships, research and innovation, community outreach, and utility partnerships. These initiatives foster educational excellence, ground-breaking research, and meaningful community engagement, ensuring both organisations contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development. 

Positioning for the Future: 
This strategic partnership is a game-changer for both organisations, notably as Kenyatta University is recognised as a pioneer in African sports education, with alums working across the continent and globally, KU’s role as a knowledge partner at the upcoming Africa Football Business Summit 2024 further cements its leadership in the field. 

Additionally, the collaboration positions Kenyatta University and FFA as crucial stakeholders ahead of the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations 2027, which Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host. The partnership will ensure that both institutions are well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from this landmark event, focusing on sustainable sports development in East Africa. 

A Shared Vision for Africa’s Future: 
Speaking on the partnership, Brian Wesaala, Founder and CEO of The Football Foundation for Africa, stated: 

“This collaboration with Kenyatta University is monumental for The Football Foundation for Africa. Grounding our work on robust academic frameworks and accessing cutting-edge research and technology will accelerate our mission to leverage football for Africa’s social and economic development. We are excited to take this journey with one of Africa’s leading universities.” 

Prof Caroline Lang’at Thoruwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Outreach) Office, added: 

“At Kenyatta University, we believe in the transformative power of education and sports. This partnership with The Football Foundation for Africa aligns with our vision of contributing to Africa’s sustainable development through knowledge and innovation. As we look ahead to AFCON 2027, this partnership will position us to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Africa.” 

This partnership marks a bold step in transforming the landscape of football and sports education in Africa, with far-reaching impacts on the football industry and the broader African community.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Football Foundation for Africa.

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Wambita Okanya 
Media and Communications Lead 
Africa Football Business Summit 2024 
media@footballfoundation.africa 

About The Football Foundation for Africa 
The Football Foundation for Africa is committed to using football as a platform for social and economic development across the continent. The Foundation works with stakeholders across the football, education, and business sectors to address critical socio-economic challenges and create opportunities for young people. 

About Kenyatta University 
Kenyatta University is one of Africa’s premier institutions, known for its innovative approach to education and research, particularly in sports. With a solid commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, KU plays a leading role in developing the next generation of African leaders.