Bamako is set to host the founding workshop of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES) from January 19 to 23, 2026, in a move aimed at revitalizing scientific research and harmonizing university policies across French-speaking Africa. The announcement was confirmed by the Malian Council of Ministers on August 20.
The event, which brings together 19 member states, is designed to lay the groundwork for a renewed regional strategy that positions scientific research as a key driver of development.
It aligns with CAMES’ 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which seeks to strengthen interstate collaboration, improve the quality of higher education, and enhance the visibility of scientific output in the region.
Created in the 1960s, CAMES has long played a central role in coordinating university policies and supporting research across francophone Africa.
Hosting the workshop in Bamako underscores Mali’s ambition to become a pivotal hub for academic and scientific cooperation on the continent.
The initiative comes amid persistent underinvestment in research and development (R&D).
In 2025, Mali allocated just 0.2% of its GDP to R&D, far below the African Union target of 1%, a benchmark that no African country has yet achieved. By contrast, Mali had reached 0.66% in 2010, a notable level for the region.
The continent’s overall investment remains modest, making the Bamako workshop particularly significant as a platform to define a common vision and coordinate member countries’ initiatives.
The meeting will bring together university leaders, researchers, government representatives, and technical partners.
Participants are expected to produce a roadmap that will guide efforts to boost scientific production, foster regional collaboration, and raise the profile of research conducted within the CAMES framework.
With its focus on cooperation, innovation, and capacity building, the workshop is being positioned as a turning point for higher education and scientific development in francophone Africa, reflecting a shared ambition to leverage research as a catalyst for sustainable growth and continental integration.
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