UK, Nigeria, and Ghana Launch £1.9 Million Initiative to Boost West Africa’s Tech Ecosystem
The UK, Nigeria, and Ghana have launched the Sankore initiative, a £1.9 million program aimed at enhancing science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) in West Africa. The initiative, backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (FMIST), and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), will strengthen collaboration between these nations. It aligns with strategic agreements such as the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy (2023-2027) and the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership signed in 2024.
Sankore will focus on key objectives, including supporting the operationalization of national research funds in Ghana and Nigeria and assisting in the creation of Nigeria’s National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC). Additionally, the initiative will help commercialize innovative solutions in sectors like agriculture and energy, improve regulatory frameworks for innovation, and establish a Helpdesk for expert guidance. These efforts are aimed at driving long-term economic growth and enhancing the tech ecosystem in the region.
At the launch event in Abuja, officials from the UK, Ghana, and Nigeria praised the Sankore initiative’s potential to foster job creation, economic diversification, and improved service delivery. UK’s Ms. Susan Mshana emphasized the importance of collaboration for strengthening the UK’s partnership with West Africa. Ghana’s Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed highlighted the program’s role in positioning Ghana as a regional hub for technological advancement, while Nigeria’s Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji emphasized Sankore’s alignment with Nigeria’s innovation goals.
The 15-month program, running until March 2026, will be implemented by UNESCO and Results for Development (R4D) in collaboration with local and international partners. Sankore will focus on boosting research funding and supporting commercialization efforts, contributing to the region’s economic transformation and growth. This initiative is expected to help startups, researchers, and investors unlock new opportunities in West Africa’s expanding tech landscape.
source: naira metrics