Empowering Africa: Nzimande Calls for Homegrown Climate Research to Shape Global Solutions

Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has emphasized the need for a stronger African presence in global climate research. During the 3rd International Conference on Earth and Environmental Sciences (ICEES 2025) at the University of Zululand, he argued for African-led strategies to tackle the continent’s increasing vulnerability to climate change.

Nzimande highlighted the critical role of African institutions in producing relevant knowledge. He believes that historically Black universities should play a central role in research. “We must move from being consumers of knowledge to creators of it,” he stated, advocating for a sovereign African Research and Development Agenda.

The urgency of this initiative is clear. According to the 2023 World Meteorological Organisation report, African nations are losing 2-5% of their GDP every year due to climate change. Some countries are even devoting up to 9% of their budgets to respond to climate impacts. Alarmingly, up to 118 million people living in extreme poverty face severe threats from climate-related disasters like droughts and floods.

Nzimande pointed to a “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. He noted that these issues are causing dangerous heatwaves, flooding, and devastating ecosystem pressures. In South Africa, rural communities and farmers, whose livelihoods depend on biodiversity, are particularly affected.

To combat these challenges, the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) has launched initiatives aimed at enhancing research capabilities in climate science. Key projects include:

• Science Missions on Global Change and Biodiversity: Designed to build research networks.
• South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON): Focused on long-term ecological monitoring.
• Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth System Science (ACCESS): Promoting collaborative efforts in climate research.
• Centre for Global Change: Supporting sustainable approaches to environmental change.

Additionally, South Africa is following a Research Infrastructure Roadmap that features programs like the National Equipment Programme and the Centers of Excellence initiative, aimed at fostering advancements in various scientific fields. The country also actively participates in international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Looking ahead, Nzimande announced plans for the Global Change National Conference in 2025, which will focus on fostering collaboration in climate adaptation strategies. He also called for more youth involvement in climate research, stressing that investing in young scientists is critical for Africa’s future.

The ICEES 2025 conference brought together experts from over 70 countries, fostering academic exchange and collaboration. The university’s role as a host illustrates the importance of historically disadvantaged institutions in shaping Africa’s scientific landscape.

In conclusion, Nzimande’s message is clear: Africa must reclaim its voice in global climate discourse and cultivate local institutions capable of driving scientific innovation for resilience against climate impacts. “We need to shape our research agenda rooted in our realities but connected to global solutions,” he asserted.

For further details on the impact of climate change in Africa, you can refer to the World Meteorological Organisation for the latest data and findings.

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Blade Nzimande, climate change Africa, ICEES 2025, University of Zululand, African research agenda, biodiversity loss, DSTI South Africa, climate science collaboration, youth in research, global climate policy