Experts Stress Research’s Key Role in Economic Growth at Omniverse Africa Summit 2025

The Research Exchange event, part of the Omniverse Africa Summit 2025, underscored the vital role of research in fostering economic growth across Africa. Organized by TechQuest STEM Academy in collaboration with NitHub, the virtual exchange aimed to promote collaboration between researchers, innovators, industry players, and governments. The two-day event focused on exploring research applications and building partnerships within the African and global research communities.

Dr. Itoro Emembolu, Director of TechQuest, hosted the virtual exchange, providing a platform for wider participation from Africa and the diaspora. The session was designed as a precursor to the summit, enabling various stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and explore opportunities for research funding. Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, Acting Director at NITDA IT Hub, encouraged active involvement, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration.

An important highlight of the exchange was the announcement of the German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA), a €150,000 funding opportunity aimed at fostering collaborative innovation between African and German researchers. Dr. Erik Hansalek from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research spoke on the importance of this initiative and its potential to spark impactful projects between the two regions.

The second day of the Research Exchange took place at the Omniverse Africa Summit at the Landmark Events Centre, where discussions broadened to include research commercialization, technology adoption, IP management, and other funding opportunities. Key figures from the European Union and German organizations, including Ambassador Gautier Mignot and Dr. Thuweba Diwani, highlighted the significance of international cooperation in advancing research and technology in Africa.

SOURCE: THIS DAY