The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the idea of an African Continental Research Foundation (ACRF) to address the socio-economic challenges on the continent.

As Africa Month concludes, the Minister describes the endeavour to create a continental research platform as a "bold step with respect to African intellectual independence and the capacity to raise up African countries that are have not yet caught up with those that have made significant advances in the continent".

The ACRF is expected to enhance the capacity of African countries, institutions, agencies and business organisations to generate data and knowledge to support development initiatives, and to play leading roles in the evolving 4th industrial revolution, among other things.

The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) and the Africa Institute of South Africa at the Human Sciences Research Council, an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation, will host a webinar to discuss the establishment of the ACRF on Thursday, 2 June.

The Minister said the COVID-19 pandemic and global events had demonstrated the need for Africa's self-reliance.

"A platform such as the ACRF is expected to enable nimble and responsive research capacity to deal with economic shocks and emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters, as well as providing opportunities for collaboration between Africa-based and diaspora researchers," said the Minister.

Members of the media are invited to attend the virtual event as follows:

Date:       2 June 2022

Time:       09:00 – 11:30

Link:        https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_29QzBWBfTqKT66wsNHYDkw

For media enquiries and to RSVP, contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 084 400 5750 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

Enquiries:

Ishmael Mnisi

066 037 8859