Les moments forts de la première journée du forum régional à Dakar. Nous nous sommes attachés à comprendre l'état des lieux et les dynamiques des systèmes de recherche en Afrique francophone. @AFD_France @IDRC_CRDI

En amont de notre forum régional à Dakar, nous avons organisé, le 19 octobre, un atelier de co-construction d’un agenda national de recherche sur les politiques publiques à l’ère des transformations numériques, en partenariat avec le Ministère des Télécommunications et du Numérique du Sénégal, avec le soutien du @IDRC_CRDI. Une journée riche d’échanges autour du rôle de la recherche dans les politiques publiques à l’ère du numérique. Les discussions ont fait émerger plusieurs défis communs : fracture numérique, accès aux données publiques, interopérabilité des services, gouvernance et transparence, cybersécurité, innovation locale, souveraineté numérique et meilleure prise en compte des besoins des citoyens. Au-delà des infrastructures et des technologies, un constat s’impose : la transformation numérique nécessite des institutions capables d’apprendre, d’évaluer leurs actions et de s’appuyer sur des données probantes. Place maintenant aux travaux de groupe pour identifier les priorités de recherche qui pourront guider l’action publique dans les années à venir.

🗣️ Grantee speak: Chisom Asogwa, 3rd prize winner of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC 2025) in the Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) category, shares insights on her research advancing interpretable machine learning for stroke prediction and prevention through a hybrid ALE-SHAP framework. Chisom explains how her research combines global and local explanations to improve the interpretability of machine learning models. She also reflects on how the award will support her research and career. Watch here: youtu.be/LXIxn9bRaNU?si=6Yiz…

Voix de chercheurs | Quand la recherche se construit en collectif. Après l’obtention de son doctorat en 2020, Hyacinthe Atangana Bamela faisait face à une réalité partagée par de nombreux jeunes chercheurs : la « débrouillardise scientifique ». Continuer à produire, malgré des ressources limitées. Au Cameroun, il était alors le seul chercheur de l'Institut National de Cartographie à travailler sur la gouvernance des mobilités et des transports. 💡 Avec le Programme de Bourse de Recherche pour les Jeunes Chercheurs en Afrique Francophone du GDN, la dynamique a changé : • un mentorat méthodologique rigoureux ; • une collecte de données sur le terrain multipliée par deux ; • une promotion au poste de Research Fellow ; • la rédaction d’un policy brief destiné aux décideurs publics. • Et surtout, Hyacinthe a progressivement fédéré une communauté. 🤝 Aujourd'hui, près de 10 chercheurs travaillent ensemble sur les questions de mobilité et de transport, sur des terrains différents. Soutenir la recherche, c'est aussi créer les conditions pour qu'un chercheur puisse passer du travail individuel à une dynamique collective et durable.

🗣️ Grantee speak: Dreamlopments Foundation, one of the 1st prize winners of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC 2025) – Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) category, shares insights on The Migrant Fund (M-FUND), a low-cost, not-for-profit health access fund for migrants, refugees and stateless persons in Thailand. Nicolas Durier, Founder of Dreamlopments, talks about the project and reflects on how the award will support their work and contribute to advancing their impact. Watch here: youtu.be/GmYQAuy7Y3M?si=ACbQ…

🌍 Meet the finalists of the 2026 Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC)! Six finalists will present their research and development projects to an international jury at the Global Development Conference 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, this December. This year’s projects explore Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Peace and Human Security, highlighting research and innovation addressing some of today’s pressing development challenges. The finalists will compete for the final awards, which will be presented during the conference. Learn more: gdn.int/gdac/2026 @japangovt @WorldBankGroup

📢 Call for Proposals: Commissioning of an Internal Audit/Internal Control Review of NGOs in Ghana and the Philippines GDN is seeking proposals from experienced audit firms to conduct an internal audit/internal control review of two non-governmental organisations in Ghana and the Philippines that are being considered for a Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) grant of up to USD 200,000. The review will assess each organisation's governance, financial management, human resources, procurement systems, statutory compliance, and alignment with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework to determine their capacity to manage the grant. Firms should demonstrate experience conducting similar reviews and ideally have a presence in both countries (or outline how site visits will be conducted). The total budget available to finance this audit/review exercise is up to USD 4,000 per NGO. Learn more and apply by 01 October 2026: gdn.int/opportunities

🗣️ Grantee speak: @GreenstarPak, one of the 1st prize winners of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC 2025) – Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) category, shares insights on their project (Baji Connect), an online employment platform connecting last-mile female health workers in Pakistan with dignified jobs. Dr. Sana Durvesh (Programme Manager) reflects on the project and the impact of the award on their work: youtu.be/yREAWjdz54w?si=gLjW…

🗣️ Grantee speak: Instituto de Inteligência Artificial na Saúde, 2nd prize winner of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC 2025) – Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) category, shares insights on NoHarm AI, an artificial intelligence solution designed to improve patient safety. NoHarm AI uses artificial intelligence to help identify and prevent risks to patient safety. In this video, Henrique Dias, co-founder and CEO, explains their work and reflects on how the award has supported the organisation’s work and plans to expand its impact. Watch here: youtu.be/bZOjS0GGcEU?si=aH5d…

📢 Rejoignez-nous pour un séminaire en ligne organisé en partenariat avec @EURAXESS. Ce webinaire, organisé dans le cadre de l’initiative « Club des chercheurs », explorera les opportunités de collaboration scientifique internationale, ainsi que les ressources disponibles pour aider les chercheurs en début de carrière à développer leur parcours à l’échelle internationale. 📅 Mercredi 26 août 2026 🕙 10h00–11h00 (GMT) Lien d’accès : zoom.us/j/94898299492?pwd=he…

⏰ Last few days for research teams from LMICs to apply!

📢 We're hiring a Technical and Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor (Consultant) GDN invites applications for a Technical and Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor to support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a project under the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Award, part of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC). The successful candidate will provide technical guidance and strategic advice to the Awardee implementing the Enhancing Livelihoods in Underserved Communities of Uganda project over a 24-month consultancy. Applications are welcome from candidates based anywhere; however, preference will be given to applicants based in Uganda. Learn more and apply by 30 September 2026: gdn.int/opportunities

Last week, at the Digital Transformation Indonesia Conference & Expo in Jakarta, @ADBInstitute and GDN brought together policymakers, researchers, and private sector leaders to explore how Open Transaction Networks (OTNs) can help build more inclusive digital payment ecosystems. As part of the session, GDN President Jean-Louis Arcand presented GDN's latest research on the economics of OTNs and the conditions needed for open networks to deliver real benefits for MSMEs and underserved communities. Check out the presentation: adb.org/adbi/events/accelera… Learn more about GDN's work on OTNs: gdn.int/digitalisation/open-…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming economies, societies, and institutions at an unprecedented pace. Yet global conversations on AI often lack local perspectives on what these changes mean, particularly across the Global South. As part of GDN's Research Facility on Inclusive Digital Transformation, we will launch a new AI research programme in 2027 to generate evidence that informs better policies and responses to these transformations. We invite you to complete a short survey (approximately 15 minutes) and share the AI debates, opportunities, and concerns you are seeing in your country and professional context. Your insights will help shape GDN's research priorities and identify opportunities for future collaboration and engagement through conferences, workshops, and partnerships. Link to the survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…

🇯🇵 The Global Development Conference (GDC) 2026 will be held in Tokyo, Japan. Convened in partnership with @EUinJapan, @ADBInstitute, the @WorldBankGroup Tokyo Development Learning Center TDLC, and @SPF_PR, the conference also marks the 25th anniversary of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC). 📢 The Call for Co-Creation Lab Projects is now open. Through the Co-Creation Labs, GDN grantees and alumni will work alongside experts from across sectors to refine and scale development solutions. 🤝 Organisations are also invited to partner with GDC 2026 through a range of sponsorship opportunities. Learn more and get involved: conf2026.gdn.int