Our hubs
Set up in collaboration with academic and corporate partners, our hubs focus our work across the continent.
Our four Hubs, set up in collaboration with academic and corporate partners, focus our work across the continent.
To develop a sustainable and innovative science base, Africa needs adequately trained personnel, specialised equipment and resources to support teaching and research in the chemical sciences.
The Hubs provide regional centres for training and conferences, networking and access to some of the latest technology in key areas of chemistry. Our events and activities are open to scientists across Africa and the globe.
On this page
Ethiopia
The centre of our Ethiopian Hub activities is Addis Ababa University, and we work closely with other institutions, such as the University of Bahir Dar, to support the chemistry community throughout Ethiopia.
"It is a wonderful thing to see African scientists and experts from all over the world coming together in my country."
H E Mr Alemagehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ethiopia
- Enhancing collaboration between the government, researchers, industries and communities by organising scientific events and conferences – including the PACN Congress, most recently in 2019 discussing ‘Sustainable use of Africa's natural products and materials’.
- Analytical science training courses for GC-MS techniques, hosted by the Addis Ababa University, previously run in partnership with GSK, and supported by Local Trainers from the universities of Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar.
- Support for the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC) and their activities across Africa. In 2024, the FASC Congress will take placein Senegal.
Established by the Royal Society of Chemistry in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2006, FASC plays a crucial part in promoting the role of the chemical sciences across Africa by bringing together national chemical societies. Its administrative centre is currently in South Africa. The society’s aims are:
- to promote the advancement of chemical sciences
- to promote and maintain effective communication throughout the community in Africa
- to promote collaborative activity across Africa.
They also publish the Africa Journal of Chemical Education.
The Hub is hosted by Addis Ababa University and supports our work in Ethiopia. Our local Royal Society of Chemistry representative is Ngist Asfaw.
Committee members
- Yonas Chebude, Addis Ababa University
- Dr Ahmed Mustefa, Addis Ababa University
- Dr Nigist Asfaw, Addis Ababa University
- Solomon Mehretie, Chemical Society of Ethiopia
- Dr Estifanos Ele, Addis Ababa University
- Dr Minaleshewa, Bahir Dar University
Ghana
Our Ghanaian Hub, based primarily at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), acts as a focal point for our local activity in this country.
The Hub is also run in partnership with Cape Coast University.
"I am just so excited and most grateful to the Royal Society of Chemistry and GSK, the installation of the solar power back up means the equipment is now running 24/7. Really good for science in Africa."
Professor Ray Bright Voegborlo, KNUST
- Five very successful training workshops, in which close to 100 participants gained specialist GC-MS and LC-MS knowledge. These courses are flagship events for analytical chemistry in Ghana.
- Facilitating the international conference on materials chemistry – 'Renewable and sustainable energy from the African hot sun: Can materials chemistry help to deliver?' The conference attracted speakers and participants from the UK, Denmark, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana.
- The Ghana Hub hosted the 2011 PACN Congress on ‘Agricultural Productivity’ and the 2017 PACN Congress on ‘Sustainable Agriculture; How the Chemical Sciences Can Contribute to Food Security for a Growing Population’.
- The installation of a new solar powered inverter at KNUST, providing a stable power supply to support the analytical science lab’s equipment.
There are currently 28 Royal Society of Chemistry members in Ghana, plus local Royal Society of Chemistry representative, Johannes A M Awudza.
Chairman
Prof. Johannes A M Awudza, KNUST
Secretary
Prof. Nathaniel Owusu Boadi, KNUST
Committee members
- Head of the Department of Chemistry, KNUST
- Professor Evans Adei, KNUST
- Professor Ray Bright Voegborlo, KNUST
- Dr. Marian Asantewaah Nkansah, KNUST
- Mr Gilbert Ofori Adjei, KNUST
- Dr. Edmund Ekuadzi, Central Lab, KNUST
- Dr. Genevieve E Adukpo, University of Cape Coast
- Dr. Emmanuel Osei Twum, University of Ghana
Kenya
Our Kenyan Hub helps to coordinate the work we do for the chemical sciences across the continent, while acting as the focal point for local networking and training.
We work closely with three partner universities and the Kenyan Chemical Society to support and connect those working in the chemical sciences.
Our partner universities include Jomo Kenyatta University, Kenyatta University and University of Nairobi.
"Chemistry is the discipline that makes everything work. We are working to influence policy direction and show the importance of chemistry in national development."
Prof Shem Wandiga, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Enhancing collaboration between the government, researchers, industries and communities by organising scientific events and conferences – including the PACN Congress in 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
- Analytical training courses, hosted by JKUAT since 2009. After being initiated at this Hub, the courses are now used to train analytical chemists across Africa. We have now trained almost 500 chemists in Kenya alone.
- A collaboration with P&G which involved an internship with University of Nairobi and the provision of equipment and staff to the university to support their water quality monitoring work in the Kiberia district.
- Regional and national support for the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair to promote scientific careers and public appreciation for chemistry’s role in Africa’s future.
The PACN administrator, Erick Awas, is hosted by the University of Nairobi, supporting our work in Kenya.
There are currently 113 Royal Society of Chemistry members in Kenya, plus a local Royal Society of Chemistry representative, Professor Jacob Midiwo.
Chairman
Prof. Jacob Midiwo, Maseno University
Secretary
Dr Solomon Derese, UoN
Committee members
- Prof. Anthony Gachanja, JKUAT
- Dr Solomon Derese, UoN
- Dr Eric Masika, Kenyatta University
- Dr Leonard Gitu, JKUAT and Kenya Chemical Society
- Dr. Elijah Ngumba, JKUAT
- Dr. Claire Muhanji, Technical University of Kenya
- Prof. Leonida Kerubo, UoN (Dean of College)
Nigeria
We work closely with our partner universities to support and connect the Nigerian scientific community. Our partner universities include University of Jos, University of Lagos and University of Ibadan.
"The PACN has brought together scientists and policy makers to address the developmental issues of the African continent"
Yilkur Nandal Lohdip, University of Jos, Nigeria
- Analytical science training courses, previously conducted in partnership with GSK, where participants gain specialist GC-MS knowledge. These courses, are now regular events for analytical chemistry in Nigeria and are supported by Local Trainers from the universities of Lagos and Ibadan.
- A multi-year collaboration with P&G to run industry-academia collaborative symposia and many internships at the University of Lagos. It also provided equipment for the university’s analytical chemistry labs.
- Support for scientific events and conferences.
There are currently 290 Royal Society of Chemistry members in Nigeria, and a management committee chaired by Prof. Oluwole Familoni, University of Lagos.
Chairman
Prof. Oluwole Familoni, University of Lagos
Committee members
- Prof.O B Familoni, University of Lagos and RSC Local Section
- Prof. K O Olayinka, University of Lagos
- Dr. Chuks Isanbor, University of Lagos and RSC Local Section
- Dr. Oluwatoyin T Fatunsin, University of Lagos
- Dr. Adebola Adeyi, University of Ibadan
- Dr. Temilola Oluseyi, University of Lagos