Research, Data & Knowledge Management
Generating the evidence, data systems, and shared knowledge that enable better decisions on chemicals and waste management across English-speaking Africa.
Effective chemical and waste management depends on reliable data. Yet across the region, critical information gaps — on chemical use patterns, waste generation, environmental impacts, and institutional performance — continue to undermine evidence-based policy. The Africa Institute conducts applied research, manages regional data systems, and facilitates knowledge exchange to close these gaps and put credible evidence at the heart of decision-making.
Research & Information Services
A full suite of research, data, and knowledge tools to support informed policy and effective programme delivery.
Needs Assessment Studies
Systematic identification of capacity gaps, priority intervention areas, and resource requirements — providing the evidence base for targeted capacity building and project development.
Chemical & Waste Inventories
Comprehensive data collection and verification on chemical imports, use patterns, waste generation volumes, disposal routes, and transboundary movements across member states.
Environmental Impact Analysis
Evidence-based assessment of health and environmental risks from hazardous substances, contaminated sites, and poor waste management practices — informing remediation and regulatory priorities.
Knowledge Sharing Platforms
Facilitating structured information exchange among governments, researchers, practitioners, and civil society — turning individual experience into shared regional knowledge.
Technical Documentation
Development of guidelines, best practice manuals, technical reports, and information materials that codify knowledge and make it accessible to practitioners across the region.
Trend Analysis
Monitoring emerging chemicals of concern, new waste streams, and evolving management challenges — ensuring the region anticipates and responds to future risks, not just current ones.
Data Systems & Inventories
Building the data infrastructure that makes evidence-based policy possible — from national chemical registers to regional waste tracking systems.
Chemical Data Systems
We help member states establish and maintain the data systems needed to track chemicals through their full lifecycle — from import and production through use to final disposal.
- National chemical inventories — registers of chemicals in commerce, import volumes, and use sectors
- POPs monitoring data — tracking persistent organic pollutant levels in the environment and human populations
- Mercury assessments — Minamata Initial Assessments quantifying mercury sources, uses, and releases
- Chemical import/export records — PIC notification data and transboundary movement tracking
- Emerging substances monitoring — surveillance for new chemicals of concern not yet covered by conventions
Waste Data Systems
Comprehensive waste data — from generation through disposal — is essential for planning infrastructure, setting targets, and demonstrating convention compliance.
- Hazardous waste generation data — sectoral and national waste volumes and characterisation
- Waste management facility inventories — treatment, storage, and disposal facility databases
- PCB equipment registers — tracking transformers and capacitors containing PCBs for elimination
- E-waste flows — informal and formal sector data on electronic waste generation and handling
- Disposal and recovery tracking — monitoring fate of hazardous waste streams across the region
Regional Data Challenges We Address
Our research work directly targets the information gaps that most undermine effective chemical and waste governance across Africa.
Limited Chemical Use Data
Most member states lack comprehensive data on which chemicals are imported, in what volumes, and for what uses — making risk assessment and regulatory prioritisation nearly impossible.
Weak Waste Generation Records
National waste statistics are often incomplete, outdated, or methodologically inconsistent — preventing accurate planning of waste management infrastructure and capacity.
Low Research Capacity
Limited national research capability means member states cannot independently investigate the environmental and health impacts of chemicals and waste — creating dependence on external expertise.
Poor Information Exchange
Valuable knowledge generated by projects, national programmes, and research institutions is rarely shared systematically — leading to duplication of effort and loss of institutional memory.
Weak Laboratory Infrastructure
Limited national analytical capacity means hazardous substances often go unidentified, convention reporting is unreliable, and countries cannot nominate chemicals for global control under the conventions.
Fragmented Regional Data
Data collected in different countries uses incompatible formats, definitions, and methodologies — preventing regional synthesis and collective analysis needed for pan-African policy.
Knowledge Sharing & Exchange
Connecting practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers so that what works in one country can be applied across the region.
Platforms & Mechanisms
We create structured channels through which knowledge generated from projects, research, and national programmes flows across borders and between stakeholder groups.
- Regional knowledge portals — online repositories of technical guidance, project reports, and best practices
- Peer learning networks — facilitating exchange between national focal points and technical officers
- South-South cooperation — connecting countries with similar challenges for mutual learning
- Expert rosters — maintaining a database of regional technical expertise for rapid deployment
- Webinars and e-learning — disseminating new knowledge and updated guidance at scale
Stakeholder Engagement in Research
Research is only valuable if it reaches and influences the people who need it. We actively engage stakeholders throughout the research cycle — not just at the point of publication.
- Participatory needs assessments — co-designing research priorities with member states
- Technical working groups — bringing together specialists to review findings and develop guidance
- Policy briefs — translating technical research into accessible formats for decision-makers
- Convention reporting support — turning data into the national reports required by Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata
- Academic partnerships — MOUs with universities to extend research capacity and peer review
Knowledge Outputs
The tangible products through which our research and data work creates lasting value for the region.
Technical Guidelines
Step-by-step guidance documents for chemical and waste management practitioners.
Country Profiles
Data-rich summaries of each member state’s chemical and waste management status.
Regional Assessments
Comparative analysis across countries identifying common challenges and best practices.
Policy Briefs
Concise, evidence-based summaries for ministers and senior officials.
Training Materials
Research-informed curricula and reference materials for capacity building programmes.
Trend Reports
Annual analysis of emerging chemicals of concern and evolving waste management challenges.
Convention Reports
National reporting documents for Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions.
Our Research Approach
A rigorous, participatory cycle that ensures research is relevant, credible, and used.
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Priority Setting
Co-designing research agendas with member states, donors, and practitioners to ensure we investigate what matters most for policy and practice.
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Data Collection & Verification
Rigorous primary data collection — including field surveys, laboratory analysis, and stakeholder interviews — combined with critical review of existing secondary data.
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Analysis & Synthesis
Applying appropriate analytical methods to generate credible findings, with peer review by technical experts to ensure quality and accuracy.
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Stakeholder Validation
Sharing draft findings with member states and partners for review and contextualisation — improving accuracy and building ownership of conclusions.
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Dissemination & Translation
Communicating findings through multiple channels and formats — from peer publications to plain-language policy briefs — to reach every relevant audience.
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Knowledge Embedding
Integrating research outputs into training programmes, technical guidance, and institutional planning so findings are acted upon and not just archived.
Need research or data support?
Contact the Africa Institute Secretariat to discuss needs assessments, chemical inventories, or knowledge management support for your country or programme.
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