A groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening scientific collaboration between the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa has been launched. The initiative focuses on addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges through physics research. The £10.7 million Africa-UK Physics Partnership (AUPP) Programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), seeks to advance climate resilience, sustainable energy, and healthcare studies while fostering long-term cooperation between African and British institutions.
Spearheaded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in partnership with the Institute of Physics (IoP), the AUPP Programme responds to the growing recognition that physics research remains underrepresented in sub-Saharan Africa. According to an IoP report, only 5% of research programmes in the region currently involve physics, a gap that could hinder technological and economic development.
The AUPP brings together leading researchers from the UK, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building. The initiative will support 13 key projects aimed at developing solutions tailored to the region’s needs, particularly in climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and infrastructure development.
Professor Michele Dougherty, Executive Chair of STFC, underscored the transformative power of international collaboration. "This programme highlights the incredible potential of uniting physicists from the UK and sub-Saharan Africa to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, from climate change to healthcare," she said.
Beyond advancing research, the AUPP Programme invests heavily in human capital. Over the past year, it has sponsored 30 African students to attend a physics summer school in Morocco, and five African PhD students are set to begin a year-long placement at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. These initiatives aim to cultivate the next generation of physicists, equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to drive innovation in their home countries.
The programme also marks a strategic move to boost Africa’s role in the global physics community. Historically, limited investment in physics has curtailed the region's ability to harness scientific discoveries for technological progress. However, with Africa's rapid economic growth and increasing demand for scientific expertise, initiatives like the AUPP are seen as vital for ensuring the continent remains competitive in global research and innovation.
Tony McBride, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at IoP, emphasized the mutual benefits of the collaboration. "The projects will allow for an invaluable diversity of knowledge and experience to be shared between researchers, enriching their work and enhancing our collective ability to address global challenges," he noted.
Supported by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), the AUPP Programme represents more than just an investment in scientific research. It signals a commitment to building enduring scientific relationships between Africa and the UK, fostering innovation, and advancing solutions to the world’s most urgent issues.
Article by Jed Mwangi
Photo/Google
Comment