The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a Letter of Intent with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) to find opportunities for potential partnership between the two institutions
The organisations will specifically explore ways of strengthening education and research in the mathematical sciences across Africa.
The letter signifies intention for collaboration, which will afford opportunities to leverage resources to develop and strengthen advanced science, technology and innovation skills, as well as the knowledge required to drive the modern economy in Africa.
Commenting on the letter of intent, Jennifer Blanke, vice-president for agriculture at AfDB, noted the importance of mathematics and science in playing a critical role in the promotion of human development and innovation in Africa.
The AfDB and AIMS said that a possible outcome leading from the letter could be the establishment of an AfDB-AIMS partnership programme to build expertise in mathematical sciences across Africa. The partnership programme would be tasked with scaling up a strong, young African community of world-class scientists and technologists.
“As we talk about Africa’s transformation, this is such a passion that drives AIMS, this is what I personally believe in, that nothing is possible without the people,” said Thierry Zomahoun, CEO and president of AIMS.
The Letter of Intent was signed on the sidelines of the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in Busan, Korea.
