Benin’s government has announced plans to establish three African Centres of Excellence at university campuses across the country, according to a statement released on Wednesday from the capital, Cotonou.
The centres will be located at the Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences in Dangbo, the National Water Institute, and the Polytechnic School in Abomey-Calavi.
The project, supported by funding from the World Bank and the French Development Agency, aims to enhance the academic and research landscape in key scientific and engineering fields.
These centres form part of a network of 53 Centres of Excellence across 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Each centre will specialize in distinct areas, including Science, Mathematics, Computer Science and Applications, Water and Sanitation, Engineering, Energy, Transport Infrastructure, and Environmental Studies.
“Their construction aims to provide the host universities with an adequate framework for the training of outstanding professionals, researchers, and doctoral candidates from various countries within the region,” the government statement emphasized.
The centres are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art scientific tools and modern furnishings to boost the quality of teaching and research.
Furthermore, they will serve as venues for international conferences and sector-specific meetings, fostering collaboration and innovation within their respective fields.
This ambitious project underscores Benin’s commitment to strengthening its higher education and research sectors, while contributing to broader regional development goals through enhanced educational and scientific capacity.
