2024 marked a defining year for the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN). As I reflect on our journey, I am inspired by how far we have advanced not only in driving cutting-edge research but also in positioning ARIN as a hub for African-led knowledge and solutions in an increasingly complex global landscape.
At ARIN, we believe research must be more than ideas on paper; it must serve people, strengthen systems, and shape policies that speak to Africa’s realities. Guided by this conviction, our 2024 agenda placed emphasis on transdisciplinarity, inclusivity, and impact. From advancing climate–health linkages and urban resilience to pioneering adaptation metrics and decolonial knowledge production, we worked to ensure research remained relevant, practical, and transformative.
Among the year’s most significant milestones was the launch of the Consultative Platform on Climate and Health in Africa (CAPCHA), a pioneering effort to bridge the evidence gap at the intersection of climate change and health. Equally transformative was the unveiling of the Locally Led Adaptation Metrics for Africa (LAMA) dashboard, which is already enabling communities and policymakers to co-create adaptation indicators that respond to local needs while aligning with national and global frameworks. The establishment of the ARIN Press provided a dedicated platform for publishing African-led research, while our Mini-Grants and Science-Policy Fellowship programs strengthened the pipeline of next-generation scholars, ensuring Africa’s voices are centered in global debates.
Our convening power continued to set us apart. In 2024, ARIN engaged diverse actors through flagship dialogues, including the 4th ARIN International Conference on Climate and Health, as well as through weekly Friday Reviews that nurtured peer-to-peer learning. Through partnerships with institutions like Taylor & Francis, Johns Hopkins University, the World Resources Institute, and multiple grassroots organizations, ARIN extended its influence across disciplines, geographies, and governance levels.
Beyond outputs, our impact was visible in outcomes: strengthened evidence-informed policies, empowered grassroots champions, and amplified African contributions to global forums such as COP29 and the IPCC pre-scoping process. We were also honored to see our team and fellows receive recognition nationally and internationally for their leadership in research, innovation, and advocacy.
As we transition into 2025, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead, rising climate risks, persistent inequities in knowledge systems, and constrained financing for adaptation. Yet we are equally resolute in our mission: to drive Africa-led solutions, foster collaboration, and ensure that African scholarship is not merely included but is leading in shaping global transformation.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our staff, fellows, partners, and supporters. Your commitment makes this journey possible. Together, we will continue to advance a research ecosystem that is open, inclusive, and distinctly African in its values, leadership, and impact.