KNUST Wins Inaugural AHEFT Prize, Secures $3 Million to Expand Research and Innovation

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been selected as one of the first recipients of the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, an initiative by the Mastercard Foundation that recognises African universities making outstanding contributions to institutional transformation and development.

KNUST received the award in the Excellence in Research and Innovation category in recognition of its ability to transform research into practical solutions that drive innovation, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and socio-economic development. The University will receive US$3 million to strengthen initiatives that create more educational and economic opportunities for young people across Africa.

Reacting to the achievement, Vice-Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson described the recognition as a testament to the University's long-term commitment to impactful research and innovation. She credited the success to the dedication of staff, students, researchers, alumni, industry partners and the KNUST Mastercard Scholars Programme, whose collective efforts continue to elevate the University's global reputation.

The AHEFT Prize, backed by a US$500 million commitment over the next decade, seeks to support African higher education institutions that are transforming teaching, research, innovation and graduate outcomes. KNUST joins Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (Burkina Faso), Muni University (Uganda), and the University of Rwanda as the inaugural award recipients.

Over the years, KNUST has built a strong innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the Kumasi Business Incubator, Innovation Centre and Technology Consultancy Centre, which help convert research findings into startups, technologies and commercially viable solutions. These platforms have also strengthened collaboration between academia and industry while creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for students and graduates.

The new funding is expected to accelerate the University's research commercialisation agenda, expand business incubation programmes, strengthen partnerships with industry and provide greater support for young innovators developing solutions to Africa's pressing challenges.

The recognition further reinforces KNUST's position as one of Africa's leading universities in science, technology, research and innovation, while highlighting the important role higher education institutions play in driving economic growth, job creation and sustainable development across the continent.