[Chapter-delegates] ICT Works funding

[Glenn McKnight]

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Apply Now: $12 Million for Digital Technology Research in Africa
<https://us.list-manage.com/2cj19yhMb_s?e=630e1981c3&c2id=bf178f7fbe15822216bb01df546e0f30>*By
Wayan Vota on August 3, 2026*

[image: Political Economy of African Artificial Intelligence]

Africa is home to 18% of the world’s people but holds less than 1% of
global data centre capacity
<https://us.list-manage.com/r1zkSRi2VTs?e=630e1981c3&c2id=bf178f7fbe15822216bb01df546e0f30>,
and only about 40% of its population is online
<https://us.list-manage.com/TUThiqAEX9Z?e=630e1981c3&c2id=bf178f7fbe15822216bb01df546e0f30>.
That gap in compute, connectivity, and digital skills is what a new
pan-African research call wants to close.
$12 Million in Research Funding

The Science Granting Councils Initiative
<https://us.list-manage.com/eOgzil3LD8i?e=630e1981c3&c2id=bf178f7fbe15822216bb01df546e0f30>
(SGCI),
a platform of 20 national science funding councils across sub-Saharan
Africa, has opened a call for Expressions of Interest to support the
African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034
(STISA-2034).

One of five thematic streams targets Artificial Intelligence and Digital
Technologies, framed around a more integrated and connected continent. It
funds two research avenues:

   - *Applications:* AI tools that address priority sectors like
   agriculture, health, environment, and education, plus scaling proven AI
   innovations and strengthening the use of AI in scientific research.
   - *Learning and entrepreneurship:* STEM and AI skills programs for
   African youth, women, and researchers, and support for digital and
   AI-enabled startups.

Proposals are expected to build on existing continental efforts, including
the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy and work by AUDA-NEPAD.

Each consortium needs at least three institutions from three different SGCI
countries eligible under the AI stream, a group that includes Kenya,
Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania. Public and private
universities, research organizations, and government research bodies can
lead or co-apply. Each member can request between CA$50,000 and CA$300,000,
and projects run up to 36 months.

*Apply Now
<https://us.list-manage.com/I1dGaCGXbIF?e=630e1981c3&c2id=bf178f7fbe15822216bb01df546e0f30>!
Deadline: September 25, 2026*
Glenn McKnight, MA
Virtual School of Internet Governance
Chief Information Officer
www.virtualsig.org
*YOUR SOURCE FOR INTERNET GOVERNANCE EDUCATION *
*Mobile  437-237-4655*
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