ACCRA, May 17 (THE AFRICAN PORTAL) – The African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) has launched a modern Knowledge Hub aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking across Africa.
The launch forms part of activities marking the Centre’s 25th anniversary and highlights its growth from a small regional research institution into one of Africa’s leading policy research organisations.
The facility, located at Ulwazi Place in Kenya, brings together researchers, government officials, development partners, private sector actors, civil society organisations, and young innovators to collaborate on development solutions. It is equipped with smart meeting rooms and shared workspaces designed to promote learning, dialogue, and innovation.
Speaking at the launch on behalf of Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, the Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak, said the new hub represents a strategic investment in Africa’s development future.
He noted that Africa’s progress increasingly depends on the ability to generate and apply reliable evidence in addressing development challenges.
“As governments confront emerging challenges ranging from climate change and food insecurity to digital transformation and public health, institutions such as APHRC will play an even more critical role in ensuring policy decisions are grounded in credible, timely, and locally generated knowledge,” he said.
APHRC Executive Director, Dr Catherine Kyobutungi, said the facility reflects the organisation’s growth over the past 25 years and its vision for the future.
She said the hub would help strengthen partnerships, support young researchers, and promote innovation and evidence-based decision-making across sub-Saharan Africa.
“This Knowledge Hub is a significant testament to the growth, resilience, and maturity of our institution over the past 25 years,” she said.
Dr Kyobutungi added that the centre embodies APHRC’s vision of creating an inclusive platform where ideas converge and African solutions are developed to address African challenges.
The silver jubilee event brought together government officials, diplomats, researchers, development partners, private sector leaders, civil society organisations, and members of the media.
APHRC, based in Nairobi, Kenya, has over the past 25 years focused on research in health, education, urbanisation, population studies, and social protection to support policymaking and strengthen research capacity across Africa.
