30th March, 2026
By Peace Ahovi
WASCAL continues to position itself at the forefront of global climate research and innovation by actively engaging in the Africa Research and Innovation Partnership (ARIP), hosted by Lancaster University from 24 to 29 March 2026.
Representing WASCAL, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramdé, the Executive Director, joined a high-level network of academic leaders, researchers, and institutional partners from across Africa and Europe. The engagement convened institutions from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa, alongside European counterparts from Lithuania and Portugal, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing transcontinental research collaboration.
As a flagship initiative of Lancaster University, ARIP provides a strategic platform for building robust, interdisciplinary partnerships that drive innovation, enhance institutional visibility, and unlock access to competitive international funding. The engagement highlighted a collective ambition to co-create solutions that respond to Africa’s climate and development priorities while strengthening long-term scientific capacity.
Central to the discussions were emerging opportunities under Horizon Europe, particularly the Africa Initiative III/IV frameworks. Partners advanced initial work on a joint proposal addressing the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA), with a view to submitting a competitive application by September 2027. This process reflects a deliberate shift toward early-stage alignment, strategic consortium-building, and coordinated proposal development; key factors in securing large-scale research funding.
A major milestone of the engagement was the formalisation of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between WASCAL and Lancaster University. The agreement establishes a structured framework for deepening collaboration in research, training, and capacity development, while reinforcing both institutions shared commitment to leveraging science and innovation to address climate change challenges across West Africa and beyond.
Beyond immediate outcomes, the engagement reaffirmed the value of trusted partnerships such as ARIP in accelerating the formation of credible, high-impact research consortia. It also highlighted the importance of inclusive, multi-country collaboration in enhancing the relevance, capacity, and policy impact of scientific research. Importantly, the in-person format enabled meaningful dialogue, strengthened institutional relationships, and facilitated clear alignment on roles and expectations among partners.
Looking ahead, WASCAL will build on this momentum by advancing the co-development of the FNSSA proposal and operationalising the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding through targeted coordination mechanisms. WASCAL will also intensify efforts to strengthen internal capacity in resource mobilisation, ensuring that its researchers and programmes remain competitive within the evolving global funding landscape.
WASCAL expresses its appreciation to the management of Lancaster University for convening this strategic engagement and for their continued partnership. The Centre further acknowledges the leadership and contributions of Kirk Semple and Akanimo Odon, whose efforts continue to strengthen Africa-Europe research collaboration.
