AGRICULTURAL researchers in 40 African countries are set to benefit from a five-year cooperation supported by AfricaConnect3. This partnership between the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) will enable researchers from 140 African universities to access open scientific and scholarly communication platforms, significantly enhancing the visibility and accessibility of their research outputs.
The AfricaConnect3 project, co-funded by the European Commission, aims to leverage research and education networks (RENs) across Africa to create a conducive environment for quality African research, contributing to global scientific knowledge. As part of the WACREN-RUFORUM cooperation, the project supports the development of a shared open access repository and a research data management platform.
A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WACREN and RUFORUM focuses on expanding open science by leveraging strategies and cost-effective solutions tailored to the African context. This cooperation hinges on four key areas: access to scientific and scholarly communications, capacity building in digital technologies for agriculture and climate change, digital research infrastructure development, and science policy and institutional frameworks.
Dr Boubakar Barry, CEO of WACREN, expressed optimism about the new phase of the cooperation, building on the successful outcomes of the first phase. ‘In this new phase, we will leverage WACREN’s upgraded infrastructure and our platforms and services to meet the community’s needs. We will work with RUFORUM to amplify the voice and impact of African agricultural researchers, making their work count in their local economies and become more visible on the global stage,’ Dr Barry said.
Prof. Patrick Okori, Executive Secretary of RUFORUM, remarked: ‘This partnership with WACREN marks a significant step towards revolutionising access to scientific knowledge and digital services in Africa. By working together, we can enhance the capacity of our higher education institutions to drive innovation and address critical challenges in agriculture and climate change.’
The cooperation aims to foster a stimulating environment for African researchers, promoting collaboration, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge to tackle pressing issues in agriculture and climate change.
