AU unveils $50m fund to support researchers

The African Union Commission (AUC) has launched a $50 million fund to strengthen think tanks across the continent in line with the Agenda 2063 vision of “The Africa We Want”.

In a statement on Thursday, the AUC said the initiative — under the Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) — is being implemented in partnership with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and AUDA-NEPAD, with funding support from the World Bank.

The fund aims to build strong consortia of African think tanks to drive cross-border development policies through evidence-based research. Selected consortia will receive up to $10 million each over two and a half years to conduct policy-relevant research aligned with six thematic areas of the African Union.

Speaking at the launch, Samer Al-Samarrai, lead economist at the World Bank, said while Africa has huge potential, the continent still faces persistent development challenges.

“These opportunities and constraints call for policies that are evidence-based, regionally coordinated and grounded in Africa’s realities,” Al-Samarrai said.

Fatou Diouf, head of communications at ACBF, said the funding is expected to boost Africa’s research output, which remains below one percent of global research contributions, according to WHO data.

Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the AUC, said the ATTP would help bridge the research gap by empowering African think tanks to generate credible data for policy reforms and continental growth.

“ATTP will support high-quality policy research that is responsive to continental priorities and attuned to national contexts,” Haddadi said.

Faten Aggad, deputy chief of staff in the cabinet of the AUC deputy chairperson, said the platform was designed as a “structural response” to the continent’s longstanding research deficit.

“ATTP is not simply a project — it is a systemic effort to elevate African-generated and African-owned evidence as the cornerstone of policymaking,” Aggad said.

Applications for the programme are now open and will close on September 24, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by November 14, with disbursement expected to start on December 19.