The University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits), proudly hosted 'Africa Research Day’ in October 2025. In light of the challenges posed by changes to the landscape of international funding, this year focused on resilience and self-reliance in international collaboration. Seth Amanfo introduces the themes of Africa Research Day 2025. We want to understand how we sustain the impactful research that we do. In our collaborations, how do we become more self-reliant? How do we diversify our funding portfolio and the streams of money that support research so that we can continue to do the work that serves our communities. Seth Amanfo Regional Director Africa and the Middle East Keynote Speaker, Dr Samia Chasi, Sustainability and self-reliance in international research partnerships Dr Samia Chasi, Head of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, Wits, delivered the keynote to open the event. Her speech covered considerable ground, in what has been a rapidly changing environment. She emphasized the challenges of financial instability, the need for diverse funding and homegrown initiatives, the importance of continued decolonial efforts, and the merits and significance of internationalisation through research partnerships. Her parting message was a simple and optimistic one delivered as a proverb, that challenges of this magnitude cannot be overcome by singular action but must start with collaboratively tackling the foundations of change at a granular level. Watch the Africa Day 2025 keynote speach in full Dr Samia Chasi closes her keynote speech. If you want to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by moving stones today. But what are these stones that we can move today? And of course, because we are talking about partnerships, what are the stones we can lift together? Dr Samia Chasi Head of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, Wits Key discussions There were 28 research programmes undertaken in collaboration with partners across 18 African countries on the University of Edinburgh’s key Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 focus areas of 'health and future care, climate sustainability, and AI, data and digital’, and delivered by a mix of diverse presenters including students, early, mid and established career researchers, via in-person, pre-recorded and poster presentations. Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Image credit: Richard Ofori Partnerships in action Without a strong foundation of internationalisation, collaboration and bi-lateral partnership the research projects celebrated and recognised throughout Africa Research Day would not be possible. Edinburgh has a strong track record of success in developing and benefiting from these kinds of innovative African partnerships. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program In recent years the Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s Program at the University has greatly expanded in scope. In phase two of the Program, from 2023 to 2030, it will offer 850 postgraduate scholarships for African students, many of these scholarships will be delivered online. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Inga Ackermann talks about Online Scholars participating in Africa Research Day 2025. We’re really proud that several Mastercard Foundation Online Scholars have joined us today with their presentations, from Uganda and from Nigeria. This a fantastic digital inclusion for everyone who can’t be physically in Edinburgh. We’re making this accessible to scholars all around the world, so they can join and participate in the discussion. Inga Ackermann Online Learning and Leadership Coordinator, University of Edinburgh Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures (WESAF) The WESAF doctoral programme, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, aims to provide research training to equip students (primarily academics already holding tenured positions) to complete interdisciplinary doctoral research on areas related to sustainability in the African continent. Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable Africa Futures Doctoral Programme Foster Osei Jnr, WESAF fellow, talks about the aims of the WESAF programme. When you look at the WESAF program, it’s aims to bring up doctoral candidates who would also be doing work for the African continent and beyond. Foster Osei Jnr WESAF Fellow, University of Edinburgh Discover more Regional engagement - Africa Centre for African Studies Publication date 27 Oct, 2025
