The RISA Fund

We are happy to share that through the RISA Fund, we've had the privilege to support our partners at the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) during the impactful 3-day Argidius SCALE Framework training. The SCALE Framework, developed by the Argidius Foundation, is designed to enhance the effectiveness of enterprise support by ESOs to SMEs. It focuses on implementing proven strategies that work. It was inspiring to see 20 ESOs engage deeply with the framework, all united by a common goal to bolster SME capacities and improve service delivery across Nigeria. A special thanks to our partners at Impact Investing Ghana for providing the technical support necessary to facilitate this training. This collaboration not only marks a significant step towards strengthening our SME ecosystem but also exemplifies our commitment to delivering actionable, effective support to the backbone of our economy. 

We're thrilled to announce the Africa Research and Innovation Commercialisation Summit (ARICS) 2025, led by Heritors Labs Ltd. with support from the RISA Fund! This summit aims to advance the commercialisation of research and innovation across Africa, fostering discussions, connections, and partnerships to transform research outputs into market-ready solutions. 📅 Date: March 20-21, 2025 📍 Theme: "From Labs to Markets: Scaling Industry Uptake of Innovation & Research Outcomes" ARICS 2025 will bring together academia, industry, and the public sector to drive sustainable development and improve livelihoods. We aim to enhance collaborations to develop solutions for Africa's needs and promote strategic R&D investments in manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and financial services, creating employment opportunities. Join us as RISA awardees and partners from Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya contribute to thought leadership on research and innovation commercialization in Africa and beyond: https://lnkd.in/d_kxQ5uR Let's drive innovation and create a brighter future together! 🚀 #ARICS2025 #Innovation #Research #Africa #SustainableDevelopment #RISA #HeritorsLabs #RuralInnovation

The Status of African Women in Research Report draws on data from the 2023 Mawazo Fellowship applications and the accompanying Academic Needs Survey. This report is for you if : 📌 You’re a Woman in Research – Navigating academia in Africa. 📌You’re a Student or Early-Career Researcher – Seeking mentorship and funding guidance. 📌You’re a University or Research Institution – Working to improve gender equity. 📌You’re a Policymaker or Funder – Using data to shape policies and initiatives. 📌You’re an Advocate for Women in STEM & Academia – Addressing barriers in research. Download the Status of African Women in Research report today and let us know what stood out to you👉 The Mawazo Institute #IWD2025 #SOAWIR #AfricanWomenInResearch

After two years of dedicated efforts, the RISA Fund collaboration with University of Gondar has come to a close, leaving a lasting impact on female farmers and Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. At the closing workshop in Addis Ababa, we reflected on the project’s achievements, challenges, and sustainability plans. Key Achievements: ✅ Supported 200 farmers, most of whom were single mothers and people with disabilities, thus improving their livelihoods and contributing to food security  ✅ Provided solar-powered water pumps, improved seeds, and technical training to enhance farmer productivity  ✅ Scaled up agricultural innovations from modern beekeeping to integrated mixed farming and post-harvest technologies  ✅ Strengthened collaboration with research institutes and local stakeholders The project prioritised women and people with disabilities, selecting technologies that were adapted and optimised for their context, and for ease of use. For example, seed varieties that provided a 71% increase in yield than ordinary seeds, honey harvesting kits that lowered the risk of bee stings and optimised honey harvesting and a solar irrigation system designed to be portable - even for someone carrying an infant or using one hand due to a disability.  To sustain this impact, the University of Gondar purchased land where improved seed varieties will continue to be propagated and provided to more farmers. Continued research dissemination and funding will be key to scaling innovations and expanding benefits for farmers and researchers. The successful implementation of the project is also attributed to a multi-stakeholder platform made up of 27 organisations each with a different mandate, but common interest in disseminating agricultural research outputs, improving livelihoods of farmers and contributing to food security. At the meeting, members of the MSP reaffirmed their commitment to building on successful practices, strengthening partnerships, and integrating lessons learned to drive long-term change. 🙌 A huge thank you to our leading partner, University of Gondar, member organisation on the multi-stakeholder platform and farmers.                   

We’re thrilled to welcome Amb. Dr. Josephine Ojiambo as the keynote speaker for the launch of The Status of African Women in Research report! As we mark #IWD2025, this event will spotlight the experiences, achievements, and systemic challenges faced by African women researchers- and the changes needed for a more inclusive research ecosystem. 📅 Date: Thursday, March 6, 9 a.m. 📍 Location: USIU Africa This event is hosted by the The Mawazo Institute with funding by UK International Development via the RISA Fund.

Mawazo Institute’s Women in Research - Power, Progress, and Possibilities Launch of the Status of African Women in Research Report 📅 Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025 📍 Location: USIU Africa School of Humanities Rooftop ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (with an optional networking session afterward) Join us for a dynamic event as we launch the Status of Women in Research Report, an in-depth analysis of the experiences of African women researchers, particularly those pursuing doctoral studies across the continent. What to Expect: 🎤 Opening Remarks – Prof Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor at USIU and Dr. Fiona Moejes, Executive Director, Mawazo Institute 💡Key note and Panel Discussion – Prof. Julia Ojiambo: Advancing gender equality in Africa’s research ecosystem 🤝 Networking Session – Connect with Mawazo and other stakeholders The launch of the Status of African Women in Research Report aligns with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, "Accelerate Action." Don't miss this opportunity to explore how we can use evidence-based strategies to advance gender equality in research. We look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day with you! 🎉 This event is hosted by the The Mawazo Institute with funding by UK International Development via the RISA Fund. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Research, Science and Innovation through the East Africa Research & Innovation Hub 

Are Nigeria’s MSMEs Truly Investment-Ready? MSMEs are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet many struggle to secure funding - not due to lack of potential, but due to gaps in investment readiness support. Ecosystem Support Organizations (ESOs) play a crucial role in bridging this gap, but how can we scale their impact effectively? At the ESO Annual Forum, we’re bringing together ESOs, investors, policymakers, and key ecosystem players to explore scalable pathways to enhance MSME investment readiness capacity. This is more than just a conversation - it’s a call to action to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and funding access. 📅 Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 ⏰ Time: 8 AM 🔗 Secure your spot: bit.ly/ESOConvening Want to gain deeper insights into the ESO landscape in Nigeria? Download the Mapping and Analysis of Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) in Nigeria report for key trends, challenges, and opportunities. 📥 Download the ESO Report: https://bit.ly/ESOMAPPING #ESOAnnualForum #ImpactInvesting #MSMEFinance #InvestmentReadiness #NigeriaEconomy #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment #ESOs

🚀 Exciting News! The Future Innovators & Researcher Experience (FIRE) is a flagship programme under ARICS 2025, driving STEM research and innovation among young talents in Ghana. This initiative will provide a platform for aspiring innovators to connect, learn, and showcase their potential. 📅 Date: Friday, 28th February 📍 Venue: British Council, Accra 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/e5RFYGty #STEM #Innovation #Research #Ghana #FIRE #ARICS2025

🌍 Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is fundamental to fostering sustainable and inclusive development in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda. Donor funding has played a significant role in supporting progress across these countries, particularly in skills development, entrepreneurship, and rural livelihoods. However, despite successes, there is more to do - new analysis for the RISA Fund by GrowthAfrica and Systemic Innovation finds 11% of donor-funded projects across Ethiopia (15%), Kenya (115) and Rwanda (7.5%) explicitly target GESI priorities. ✨ How can we improve donor coordination and drive GESI outcomes? The report has 5 key recommendations: 🔷Unified GESI metrics across donors 🔷Collaborative platforms to reduce redundancy 🔷GESI-integrated project design with cross-donor coordination 🔷Localised interventions through community partnerships 🔷Standardised M&E frameworks for better accountability Read the research on our website: https://lnkd.in/eAe6B7fk #GESI #Ethiopia #Kenya #Rwanda

🌍 Advancing Research and Innovation in Nigeria Discover how the RISA Fund is transforming Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem! This impactful programme, funded by FCDO, is empowering sustainable development through strategic collaboration and funding. 🎥 In this video, hear from key partners: Impact Investors Foundation IIF Adam Smith International University of Lagos Together, they share how RISA is driving progress by strengthening research institutions and fostering innovation partnerships. 📢 The RISA Fund operates across multiple countries, combining efforts from the Strengthening Research Institutions in Africa (SRIA) and African Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) programmes to enhance research and innovation systems across Africa. #Innovation #ResearchDevelopment #SustainableGrowth #RISA #Nigeria