The African Union Commission is committed to ensure that science, technology and innovation contribute to our sustainable development efforts. The Constitutive Act, establishing the African Union, recognizes the need to advance the development of Africa by promoting research in all fields, and in science, technology and innovation in particular. The Commission, through its Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology implements a strategic science, technology and innovation development programme through the African Union continental Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STISA-2024), aimed at contributing to the wellbeing and improved quality of life for the African citizens as articulated in the African Union Agenda 2063. In January 2007, the AU Heads of State and Government “declared 2007 as the launching year for building constituencies and champions for science, technology and innovation in Africa”.
As a holistic and deliberate measure to maintain science, technology and innovation on top of our development, cooperation and political agenda, the Commission urges the Member States the Regional Economic Communities to popularize science, technology and innovation among African citizens, empower them, celebrate their achievements and promote all efforts to transform scientific research outcome into sustainable development. With the support of its Development Partners particularly the European Commission, the African Union Commission, launched on 9 September 2008, the prestigious African Union Science Award Programme, later renamed to “African Union Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence” (AUKNASE), in July 2010. The new name is in memory of the Great Pan-Africanist and First President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, A firm believer in African liberation and unity! A man who pursued a revolutionary pan-African policy, with a strong vision extending beyond national boundaries, for the creation of a new Africa, “a federal union of African states”, to take charge of its own destiny. He is among the key founding fathers of the then Organization of African Unity in 1963, a unique Pan-Africanist organization, which later became the African Union in 2002. Today the “dream and determination” of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah inspires Africa in all facets of development and in science, technology and innovation as summed up in his quote “We shall accumulate machinery and establish steel works, iron foundries and factories; we shall link the various States of our continent with communications; we shall astound the world with our hydroelectric power; we shall drain marshes and swamps, clear infested areas, feed the under-nourished, and rid our people of parasites and disease. It is within the possibility of science and technology to make even the Sahara bloom into a vast field with verdant vegetation for agricultural and industrial developments”.
The programme is implemented at national level for young researchers, regional level for women scientists and continental level open to all scientists. The Continental level is the highest level of the programme. The objective is to give out science awards to top African scientists for their achievements and valuable discoveries and findings in science, technology and innovation. AUKNASE reflects and underscores a success story and the critical role of science, technology and innovation in the development and integration of Africa. Under this programme prizes are awarded to top African scientists in each of the following two sectors (a) Life and Earth Science and innovation; and (b) Basic Science, Technology and Innovation at the national, regional and continental levels.
The African Union Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence Programme is implemented using these rules of procedure.
The African Union Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence Programme (AUKNASE) shall be organized at three levels:
1. Continental Level where two awards of USD 100,000 are given each to African pioneer scientists
2. Regional Level where two African women scientists per each of the five geographical regions of Africa are given USD 20,000 each, and
3. National Level dedicated to young African researchers, where two prizes are given per country and the value of the prizes is determined by the African Union Commission.
The objectives of AUKNASE are to:
1.1 Award and honour outstanding African scientists for their achievements and discoveries in science, technology and innovation;
1.2 Promote scientific development in Africa through recognition of excellence among African scientists, women, and men alike and young researchers and encourage them to persevere in their research or academic careers, and nurture their ambitions;
1.3 Popularize and promote public understanding and participation in the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, through Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy1 for Africa, the Sustainable Development Goals and the AU Assembly decisions on science, technology and innovation;
1.4 Raise the profile of science,technology and innovation sector in African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities so that science, technology and innovation effectively contribute to Africa’s sustainable development, poverty alleviation and integration efforts.
home3/actafric/public_html/image/2020_AUKNASE Rules of Procedure ENGLISH.pdf
home3/actafric/public_html/image/2020_AUKNASE Rules of Procedure FRENCH(1).pdf
home3/actafric/public_html/image/2020_AUKNASE_Nomination form doc FRENCH(1).doc
home3/actafric/public_html/image/2020_AUKNASE_Nomination form ENGLISH.doc
For more information do visit : https://au.int/en/announcements/20200917/african-union-kwame-nkrumah-awards-scientific-excellence-auknase-continental