NRF at Japan-Africa University Exchange Meeting and ASPIRE Programme Launched

The NRF participated in the high-level Japan-Africa University Exchange Meeting, held alongside the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Tokyo, Japan, on 19 August 2025. The event was hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), which has been in partnership with the NRF since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Japan in 2009.

Dr Prudence Makhura, Senior Manager: International Grants and Partnerships at the NRF, presented and led discussions on the Science Granting Councils Initiative, which aims to strengthen granting councils across the African continent and is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year. The Africa–Japan Collaborative Research Programme (AJ-CORE), jointly led by JST and the NRF, was also highlighted as a successful model of international partnership. It was jointly presented by Dr Nokuthula Mchunu, Manager: International Grants and Partnerships, NRF, and Ms Junko Shiraishi, Manager: AJ-CORE Programme, JST. Since its establishment, AJ-CORE has launched five joint research calls, funding 18 projects involving nine African science granting councils (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Ethiopia), in addition to South Africa and Japan.

The forum brought together vice-chancellors and senior representatives from leading universities across Japan and Africa, along with key funding partners, to strengthen academic and research collaboration. It featured presentations, discussions, and networking sessions designed to foster dynamic partnerships and showcased mechanisms for joint research, talent development, and the establishment of scientific platforms to advance Japan–Africa research cooperation by representatives from African and Japanese funding agencies.

INSPIRE Launched

On 20 August 2025, the launch of the Africa–Japan INSPIRE Network took place on the sidelines of TICAD 9. The event, organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was officiated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Honourable Ms Toshiko Abe.

This new programme seeks to establish regional networks anchored by selected African universities serving as hubs—currently Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), and the Egypt–Japan University of Science and Technology (Egypt). The initiative will connect these institutions with leading universities in Japan and across Africa to promote collaborative education and research. It also aims to develop highly skilled professionals in science, engineering, and agriculture, while fostering the co-creation of knowledge to address shared challenges such as climate change, food security, and energy sustainability.

This event was attended by vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors from Japanese and African universities, alongside government agencies and funding partners, underscoring the commitment to deepening Africa–Japan academic and research collaboration. For further information on SA-Japan partnership please email: NP.Mchunu@risa.nrf.ac.za