• The first “Research Training School” in Africa gathers 15 researchers from 10 countries.

• The program is led by the IRD, CERD, and ADAC with support from the French Embassy.

• It aims to strengthen local research capacity on climate and development issues.

The French Embassy in Djibouti announced on October 28 the launch of the first “Research Training School” in Africa, organized by the Centre for Studies and Research of Djibouti (CERD), the Doctoral Alliance for Climate Adaptation (ADAC), and the French Institute of Research for Development (IRD). After a month of online learning, 15 young researchers from 10 African countries joined about 10 IRD experts in Djibouti to conduct fieldwork in the Grand and Petit Bara regions.

While no details were provided on the program’s structure, the Embassy stated that participants will “study local socio-productive systems.” The organizers said the initiative is part of efforts by the IRD and its partners to establish research observatories and networks across Africa.

Djibouti was chosen for its strategic importance. According to the African Development Bank, nearly 90% of its territory is desert, only 1% is forested, and agriculture remains highly vulnerable to climate risks. Training qualified researchers is therefore seen as a way to create scientific job opportunities, promote locally tailored solutions, and drive the region’s economic development.

Africa continues to lag in scientific employment and investment. UNESCO data show that the continent allocates only 0.6% of its GDP to research and development, compared with a global average of 1.79%. Africa has immense talent, and its researchers are making remarkable discoveries, yet their work remains underrecognized internationally. Promoting the visibility of African research should therefore be a priority, said communication scholar Alain Kiyindou.