In a dynamic show of scientific solidarity, the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) convened a landmark conference on 16 April 2025, themed Catalysing East African Science through Scientific Partnership. The event underscored the power of cross-continental collaboration and spotlighted the transformative impact of the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme.
One of the event’s standout moments came from Dr Bridget Kanini Mutuma, an ARISE Fellow and researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nairobi. Her groundbreaking work in converting plastic waste into low-cost carbon nanoreactors for water purification and pollutant monitoring demonstrates the immense potential of African-led science to solve pressing societal challenges.

“The ARISE programme has been instrumental,” said Dr Mutuma. “It enabled me to set up a lab, acquire equipment, and train postgraduate students—not just from the University of Nairobi, but from across the region.”

Her research, focused on detecting dyes, antibiotics, and heavy metals in water—even in rural areas—aims to make advanced environmental monitoring affordable and accessible. Through ARISE, Dr Mutuma just like other ARISE grantees, has also gained visibility on international platforms, enabling deeper collaborations and broader scientific exchange.
Representing the European Union, Dr Laurent Bochereau, EU Science Counsellor to the African Union, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to fostering science, technology, and innovation (STI) partnerships with Africa. 

“The first ARISE cohort —47 scientists from 38 countries— received around half a million euros each over five years. They’ve built strong teams and improved research infrastructure. We’re now entering a critical second phase,” he noted.

Dr Bochereau stressed the need for sustainability beyond the grant period and highlighted the importance of national institutions like Kenya’s National Research Fund (NRF) in ensuring long-term support for African scientists. “Governments must fund both people and infrastructure. It’s about enabling excellence and building networks—locally and globally.”
As a partner at the event, Dr. Benoît Hazard, Director of the CNRS Regional Office in Nairobi, offered a compelling vision for CNRS-Africa collaboration. Calling the AAS a “truly Pan-African organisation,” he applauded its role in identifying and elevating African scientific talent. “In French, we speak of a vivier—a reservoir of emerging talent. That’s what ARISE represents,” said Dr. Hazard. “Africa is one of the places where the future of science will emerge.”
CNRS, which operates 80 international research labs and supports 110 global joint projects, is working closely with AAS to craft a roadmap for structured partnerships. Their aim is to co-create research initiatives that are both locally rooted and globally relevant.
Dr Boniface Ushie, Programmes Officer at the African Academy of Sciences, moderated a roundtable reflecting on lessons from ARISE Phase 1. Alongside fellows such as Dr Samuel Bunani and Dr Annette Uwineza, the session brought out critical insights about capacity-building, infrastructure investment, and future funding needs.

“ARISE has done a lot—especially in terms of financing and visibility,” said Dr Ushie. “It has enabled African researchers to work at home, with locally available resources. That’s a big shift from constantly depending on foreign labs.”

Each of the 47 Principal Investigators under ARISE is mentoring teams that include at least two PhD students and four Master’s students—contributing significantly to Africa’s growing pool of scientific talent. Still, he cautioned against complacency. “The €500,000 grants are substantial, but we funded only 47 scientists. There are many more who didn’t get the opportunity. We need to think beyond one-off funding—towards systems that fund excellent science continuously and ensure that research translates into real impact.”
Dr Obed Ogeda, Programme Manager at the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing research and innovation across the continent. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with national research institutions, multilateral organizations, AAS fellows, and grantees to ensure that research plays a transformative role in driving Africa’s sustainable development and prosperity.

To view photos from the conference click here.