By Sharon Atieno
Though African research institutions play a crucial role in driving innovation and development, many struggle with financial management due to outdated practices, inadequate internal controls, and limited capacity to meet international donor standards.
Against this backdrop, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has launched an initiative to enhance African institutions’ financial and grant management capacity.
The one-year project, funded by the Gates Foundation, aims to equip institutions with the tools, knowledge, and systems needed to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing donor funds within the Good Financial Grant Practices (GFGP) standard framework.
This initiative seeks to address these challenges by providing structured training, mentorship, and technical assistance to institutions across the continent.
It will leverage APHRC’s research and capacity-strengthening expertise to deliver targeted interventions, guiding institutions through best grant management practices and compliance with the GFGP standard.

Photo credit: APHRC
The project will facilitate self-assessments on the GFGP portal and institutional reviews to strengthen organizations’ financial governance and prepare them for GFGP certification.
A major component of this initiative is its implementation through the APHRC Virtual Learning Academy (VLA), ensuring accessible and scalable training for institutions across Africa. The VLA will serve as a platform for delivering interactive training modules, peer-to-peer learning, and expert-led mentorship to support institutions in adopting best financial management practices.
“Our goal is to ensure that African research institutions are not only able to secure donor funding but also manage it effectively and sustainably,” notes Joseph Gichuru, Deputy Executive Director of APHRC and the project lead. “By strengthening financial and grant management systems, we are building a foundation for long-term institutional growth and research excellence.”

Photo credits: APHRC
The project plans to extend its reach to Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa through regional partnerships with bodies such as the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), the East Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (EARIMA), and the Central Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (CARIMA).
Participating institutions will engage in interactive training sessions, receive one-on-one mentorship, and become part of a growing Community of Practice (CoP) that fosters peer learning and collaboration. This will be achieved through virtual and in-person engagements, making it accessible to a broad range of institutions.
Institutions will be supported in mainstreaming best practices and strengthening governance structures for long-term sustainability. Additionally, top-performing institutions will have the opportunity to further participate in advanced grant-writing workshops to enhance their funding acquisition capabilities.
By integrating innovative training approaches and leveraging digital tools, APHRC aims to create a lasting impact on the financial health of African research institutions, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more resilient research ecosystem on the continent.