The Future Earth Africa hub and its Leadership Center, supported by the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya, the Future Earth East Africa Node at Maseno University, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa, will host the third edition of the Africa Satellite Event as part of the Sustainability Research and Innovation (SRI) Congress 2025 in Chicago US at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Held from June 4th to June 6th, 2025, the SRI Africa Satellite Event brought together a vibrant community of sustainability researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. With 401 registrations, including 260 onsite participants, the event welcomed contributions from 29 countries across Africa and beyond (excluding Kenya), with strong representation from all five African regions. To support inclusive participation, 16 scholarships were awarded to session organizers, enabling full or partial travel support. The program featured a dynamic mix of five plenaries, 52 thematic sessions, interactive poster presentations, and vibrant exhibitions, covering topics such as Pathways to Sustainability, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Water Shortage Solutions, Innovative Technologies, and African Science and Innovation for Transformation.
Spotlight on Early Career Researchers (ECRs)
The ECRs Corner provided a dedicated space for early career researchers to engage with the conference’s thematic areas, reflect on challenges and opportunities, and contribute to shaping the Future Earth Africa ECRs portfolio. A total of seven targeted sessions and trainings were held to support ECR capacity building, networking, and visibility. These sessions fostered cross-regional dialogue and highlighted the importance of nurturing emerging scientific leadership across the continent.
Poster Session and Recognition
A hybrid poster session was held on June 4th, showcasing innovative research aligned with the SRI Africa themes. Posters were evaluated based on title effectiveness, visual appeal, content clarity and accuracy, thematic alignment, and novelty. The assessment took place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the University of Nairobi, ensuring a fair and structured review process. Two outstanding posters were selected:
- BIOCHAR FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION by Linet Achieno Ombewa
- Tracking Microplastic Pollution, Contaminant Transfer, and Biocolonization in African Urban Rivers: A Sustainability Perspective by Enahoro Kennedy Owowenu
Key Takeaways and Strategic Contributions
The SRI Africa Satellite Event 2025 surfaced a rich set of insights that will shape the trajectory of sustainability science across the continent and inform global dialogues at SRI 2025 in Chicago. Central takeaways included the importance of Science Diplomacy and Regional Integration, emphasizing the need to strengthen scientific leadership and bridge policy-practice divides across African regions. The event also highlighted the value of Interdisciplinary Research and Indigenous Knowledge, calling for the integration of diverse methodologies and traditional knowledge systems to foster inclusive and equitable development. Capacity Development and Inclusivity emerged as a priority, with strong emphasis on science communication, support for early-career researchers (ECRs), and equitable participation. Participants addressed persistent challenges in Funding, Mobility, and Collaboration, advocating for enhanced South–South cooperation and cross-regional partnerships. The event reinforced the role of Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability Pathways in advancing actionable research and innovation, while also expanding ties with the Future Earth community and Global Research Networks (GRNs) to increase indigenous representation in global fora. Through these contributions, SRI Africa enriched the broader SRI 2025 themes - Pathways to Sustainability, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Water Shortage Solutions, and Innovative Technologies - by grounding them in African perspectives on policy, science diplomacy, capacity enhancement, and collaborative innovation.