NRF Participates in the Second Kenya National Research Festival

The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa participated in the Second Kenya National Research Festival, held from 18–22 August 2025 at Egerton University in Nakuru, Kenya.

Under the theme Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Empowering communities through research, science, technology, and innovation, it provided a platform to showcase agricultural research prospects from across the continent, highlight national research achievements, explore collaborative opportunities and address global challenges using multidisciplinary approaches. Policy limitations were also discussed, highlighting the need for implementation and thorough policy monitoring and evaluation. The festival brought together researchers, policymakers, students, funding agencies, private sector players, and civil society from across the region.

The NRF delegation included representatives from Business Advancement, Research Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA), the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), and the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON).

The delegation actively participated in multiple sessions aligned with its strategic goals of strengthening regional partnerships, promoting access to shared research infrastructure, and showcasing South Africa’s contributions to collaborative science and innovation. These included:

• Promotion of natural resource conservation for ecosystem services: Sharing insights on how long-term environmental observations support conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
• Acceleration of agricultural technologies and digital innovation: Highlighting the roles of NRF-SAIAB and NRF-SAEON in enabling data-driven environmental management strategies that promote societal benefits and long-term sustainability.
• Diversification of benefits from waste through the circular economy: Showcasing South African research through the work of the waste management research Chairs that turn waste into economic value, especially in resource-constrained environments.
• Opportunities for growing systems analysis networks, partnerships, and collaborations: A forward-looking session focused on building systems analysis capacity, strengthening regional networks, and unlocking collaboration potential across sub-Saharan Africa.

A key highlight of the NRF’s engagement was a training session on systems analysis, delivered in collaboration with International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The session focused on strengthening the capacity of African researchers to apply integrated, systems-based approaches to food security and other development challenges. Participants explored practical applications of systems thinking; engaged in discussions around expanding regional networks; and learned about opportunities for capacity development and access to shared infrastructure. NRF platforms and research tools were also showcased as enablers of impactful, collaborative science.

The NRF has a long-standing bilateral relationship with Kenya, particularly with NRF Kenya, and has collaborated on several programs, including initiatives under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). These partnerships continue to play a vital role in building scientific capacity, the promotion of joint research, and advancement of shared development priorities in the region.

In its role as the coordinator of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organisation (SSARMO) for IIASA, the NRF also works closely with Kenya and other SSARMO member countries to drive systems-based, evidence-informed solutions to complex regional challenges. Kenya, through NRF Kenya, is an active member of this regional science-policy network.

Through its active and strategic engagement at the festival, the NRF reaffirmed its leadership in the advancement of science, technology, and innovation across the continent. With a strong emphasis on partnerships, shared research infrastructure, and research excellence, the NRF continues to support Africa-led science that addresses the region’s most urgent challenges.