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The Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) held Governance Meetings and High-Level Policy Dialogue in Nairobi, Kenya between 24–25 September bringing together ministers of education, senior policymakers, academia and researchers to chart the future of higher education and skills development in Africa.

All PASET’s key governance organs, including the Governing Council, Executive Board, and Consultative Advisory Group, held their regular meetings alongside a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Skills Development.

Nurturing the next generation of scientists

Speaking at the policy dialogue, icipe Director General, Dr Abdou Tenkouano pointed out that the integrated approach represents a unique opportunity to advance critical policy discussions on skills development in Africa and strengthen PASET’s governance.

He highlighted that the model of higher education training at icipe has positioned the centre at the forefront of addressing the most pressing challenges in Africa and globally like climate risks, biodiversity loss, poverty and food security, and unemployment through insect science-based solutions.

He also underscored the centre’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists. He explained that icipe fosters a diverse and inclusive environment for research and innovation, hosting between 150 and 180 postgraduate students at any given time—44% of whom are women.

“icipe does not offer degrees, but partners with universities in Africa where students are registered and conferred the degrees. Students spend 3 years of their research at icipe, where they are co-supervised by icipe scientists and university faculty. Over 96% of the students at icipe complete their PhD and do so within the allocated timeframe,’ Dr Tenkouano remarked.

“This model of higher education training has put icipe at the forefront of addressing the most pressing challenges in Africa and globally like climate risks, biodiversity loss, poverty and hunger, and unemployment through insect science-based solutions.  Our research for development work including capacity development, complements the efforts of African governments to advance science, technology, and innovation for socio-economic transformation.  Investment in human capital, skills and scientific research, and in strategic partnerships are essential for sustainable industrialisation, growth and social well-being,’’ he noted.

Dr Tenkouano also underscored that icipe with a mandate from PASET, and through the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) is now training up to 302 PhDs across Africa in five priority areas; ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence, Food security and agribusiness,  Minerals, mining and materials engineering,  Energy including renewables, and Climate change. He also affirmed that icipe is pleased to be the Regional Coordination Unit for PASET Risf; and will continue doing its best to implement it according to international best practice, transparency, and efficiency.

Strengthening research ecosystems

Prof Aminata Diallo, Chair of the PASET Executive Board, emphasized the Board’s critical role in turning strategy into impact and hailed progress made through Rsif.

“We are especially proud of the progress made through initiatives such as the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund, which continues to support talented African researchers and strengthen our research ecosystems,’’ she stated.

“Doctoral training is not only vital for Africa’s development but also for building the capacity of our host universities. It enhances research excellence, trains the next generation of professors, and enables institutions to generate solutions in areas that are critical for our continent—such as ICT, including big data and artificial intelligence, food security and agribusiness, mining and materials, energy, and climate change. Investing in high-quality doctoral programmes therefore strengthens both individuals and institutions, creating lasting impact,’’ Prof Diallo underscored.

Prof Diallo indicated that the high-level policy dialogue provides an important moment for reflection on how to improve doctoral training—not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of quality, relevance, and impact. She added that the discussions would help the executive board better align programmes with national priorities and with Africa’s broader development goals.

Building  skilled workforce

Kenya’s Principal Secretary, the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET),Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, who read a speech on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education, Julius Migos Ogamba pointed to the surge in higher education fueling economic development by building a skilled workforce with critical expertise thereby driving productivity and innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa but also acknowledged existing challenges.

She indicated that universities and colleges conduct vital research creating focused solutions in different sectors of the economy including the five Rsif priority areas.

Dr Muoria stressed that higher education must go beyond awarding degrees and actively nurture entrepreneurship by equipping graduates with the skills to start businesses and create jobs. She emphasized that universities play a critical role in helping governments formulate evidence-based policies for sustainable economic growth.

The CS also called for a paradigm shift in training approaches, “A major shift in higher education training is to ensure that our education and the skills we produce should be relevant for the labour market. This implies a major shift towards learner-centered learning and problem-based instruction, emphasizing practical skills, entrepreneurship and digital literacy.’

She added that, “Higher education should therefore strive to enhance global competitiveness by producing talents and competencies that attracts investments that should integrate into the world economy.’’

Engines of research and innovation

Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education and Chair of the PASET Governing Council Claudette Irere indicated that doctoral training lies at the heart of building Africa’s knowledge economy.

She said, “Doctoral training lies at the heart of building Africa’s knowledge economy. Our universities are not only centres of advanced learning but also engines of research, innovation, and practical solutions to challenges in health, agriculture, environment, technology, and governance. The findings of the study to be presented today—covering Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda—will provide valuable evidence to guide the strengthening of doctoral and postdoctoral programs so they better contribute to our national and continental development priorities.’’

“As Chair of the PASET Governing Council, I take pride in the collective efforts we have made in advancing science, technology, and higher education across our member states. Yet we must acknowledge the gaps that persist. Too often, PhD graduates face difficulties linking their research to industry, policy, and societal needs. This dialogue is therefore timely: it offers us an opportunity to reflect on achievements, identify challenges, and propose strategies to ensure doctoral training is relevant, impactful, and globally competitive,’ the minister emphasized.

Policy Recommendations

Dr Agnes Lutomiah, a research fellow at the Africa Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), presented evidence-based insights from the study “Transforming Higher Education for National Growth: Findings and Policy Recommendations from the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Training Study for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda.” Her presentation highlighted key findings and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening doctoral and postdoctoral training to drive national growth.

The objective of the study was to: evaluate enrolment, completion rates, gender inclusivity, and alignment with Rsif thematic areas; analyze pipeline issues, supervision, funding gaps, and employment outcomes; map institutional, national, regional, and international funding for doctoral research plus assess university-industry linkages, collaborations, and research commercialization.

The findings also indicated that in Kenya, 26.9% the students had considered leaving or actually left their programs, whereas only 10.0% of Rwandan students had contemplated leaving. In Ethiopia,  40.7% of the students had considered or left their programs.

‘We found that while enrolments are rising in our higher learning institutions, many students drop out due to due to lack of funds, family commitments, mental health challenges, isolation, work responsibilities and supervisory frustrations,’ Dr Lutomiah revealed.

The study recommended developing a national doctoral education policy to standardize quality, aligning with development goals, and promoting gender equity; establishing structured postdoctoral programmes to retain research talent; creating centralized funding portals and resource centres to support grant access and mentorship; enhancing supervision and mentorship through regular evaluations; and strengthening skills and career development by fostering academia–industry–government linkages.

The dialogue also featured thought-provoking panel discussions — one exploring ways to improve PhD training and boost the impact of postgraduate research in African universities, and another examining how doctoral and postdoctoral training can be better aligned with national development priorities.

At the end of these discussions, participants called on a stronger institutional framework, the need to formalize new partnerships and generate actionable policy recommendations that will shape Africa’s higher education and research landscape for years to come.

A call to action was clear – invest, collaborate, and innovate. Indeed, the future of Africa’s knowledge economy depends on how quickly these recommendations will be turned to reality – and the PASET-Rsif model offers a proven blueprint for nurturing world-class researchers and building resilient innovation ecosystems across the continent.

Story by Janet Otieno