By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, May 15, GNA – The African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) has launched a state-of-the-art Knowledge Hub aimed at strengthening the link between research and public policy to promote evidence-based decision-making across Africa.
The facility, unveiled in Nairobi, Kenya, during the institution’s 25th anniversary celebrations, is expected to serve as a centre for learning, collaboration, and innovation, bringing together researchers, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, and private sector actors.
The initiative forms part of efforts to deepen the use of locally generated research evidence in shaping public policies and addressing Africa’s growing development challenges.
Speaking at the launch on behalf of Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, described the Knowledge Hub as a strategic investment in Africa’s future.
He said Africa’s transformation would increasingly depend on the continent’s ability to generate and apply credible evidence to solve complex social and economic problems.
“The strengthening of institutions that bridge research and public policy is essential for building resilient economies and responsive governance systems,” Prof Abdulrazak stated.
He noted that governments across the continent face emerging challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, public health concerns, and digital transformation, making evidence-informed policymaking more critical than ever.
Prof Abdulrazak said institutions such as APHRC played a crucial role in ensuring that policy decisions were grounded in timely and locally generated knowledge.
The Knowledge Hub, an extension of APHRC’s Ulwazi Place, is equipped with smart conferencing facilities and collaborative innovation spaces designed to promote policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and regional partnerships.
Over the past 25 years, APHRC has established itself as a leading African research-to-policy institution, producing research and policy recommendations in areas such as public health, education, urbanisation, population studies, and data science.
Dr Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of APHRC, said the facility reflected the institution’s commitment to strengthening African-led research and policy engagement.
“This building represents more than physical infrastructure; it will serve as the nerve centre of our vision for a truly African knowledge system,” she said.
She explained that the facility would enhance collaboration between researchers and governments while supporting the development of practical policy solutions to Africa’s challenges.
Dr Kyobutungi noted that the centre would also nurture young researchers, stimulate innovation, and improve access to evidence required for informed decision-making across sub-Saharan Africa.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
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