General

The 13th edition of the Science and Technology Week was held in Kinshasa from 14 to 15 April 2026, bringing together political authorities, researchers, students, and institutions to promote scientific culture and innovation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) was at the heart of this major event dedicated to the promotion of science and innovation. As a key player in the regional scientific landscape, CBSI distinguished itself through the active and structuring participation of its secretariat and several of its scholarship holders, who were involved in organising this major scientific event, reaffirming its commitment to making science a driver of sustainable development. The CBSI stand attracted particular attention from visitors, including Ministers from various sectors—Higher Education; Primary, Secondary and Technical Education; Youth and Civic Awareness; as well as Communication and Media—along with young researchers and school pupils, thanks to interactive presentations showcasing its missions, ongoing projects, and scientific training opportunities. Technical entities such as the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Centre (CRREBaC) and the Regional Water School (ERE) provided scientific support for the demonstrations, helping to illustrate CBSI’s integrated and operational approach. Among the highlights of this edition, the contribution of CBSI scholarship student Rosalie BANZA stands out as one of the most significant. Actively involved in organising this nationally important event, she played a key role in coordinating activities, clearly illustrating the impact of CBSI’s capacity‑building programmes. Her participation as an organiser underscores CBSI’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership in scientific fields, while offering an inspiring role model for the young girls and female students in attendance. Beyond the exhibitions, the event provided a valuable platform for exchanges among researchers, policymakers, and young pupils, fostering scientific vocations and strengthening institutional synergies. Through its presence and leadership, CBSI reaffirmed its central role in structuring the scientific ecosystem of the Congo Basin and in promoting science in the service of development.

The 13th Edition of the Science and Technology Week in Kinshasa

The 13th edition of the Science and Technology Week was held in Kinshasa from 14 to 15 April 2026, bringing together political authorities, researchers, students, and institutions to promote scientific culture and innovation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) was at the heart of this major event dedicated to the promotion of science and innovation. As a key player in the regional scientific landscape, CBSI distinguished itself through the active and structuring participation … Read more

Visit of the British Embassy Delegation in Kinshasa

The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) welcomed, on 14 April 2026, a delegation of senior officials from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), marking a strategic milestone in strengthening scientific cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Kingdom. Held at the Higher Institute of Applied Techniques (ISTA), the visit was part of a broader effort to consolidate scientific partnerships in the Congo Basin. It provided CBSI with an opportunity … Read more

Outcomes from the National Workshop on Data Harmonisation, Collection, Management and Sharing held at ISTA Kinshasa

From 02 – 03 April 2026, the Institut Supérieur des Techniques Appliquées (ISTA), Kinshasa, hosted a national technical workshop, with support from the CRAFT–Sustainable Development and Congo-Flex programmes, funded by the UK FCDO and the Schmidt Science Foundation, respectively. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from operational agencies, research institutions, universities, as well as technical and financial partners, to address critical gaps in meteorological and hydrological observations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Congo Basin remains one … Read more

Championing women in science: Celebrating six female bursary students of the Congo Basin Science Initiative’s first annual conference

In an effort to increase the participation and visibility of female early‑career researchers from the Congo Basin region during the first annual conference of the Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI), we launched six competitive travel bursaries, one for each of our observatories. The bursary covered the plane ticket to and from the conference, as well as accommodation and meals during the conference. The eligibility criteria were simple yet powerful: You must be a female scientist currently pursuing your PhD. The … Read more

Historic Momentum for Central African Science: First Congo Basin Science Initiative Conference Draws Global Attention

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo — January 2026. At the beginning of this year, hundreds of scientists from across the Congo Basin and around the world gathered in Brazzaville for a landmark event: the first Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) conference, held from January 7–9 at the Hôtel Saint François de Paule. The gathering marked a major turning point for scientific collaboration and leadership of researchers from one of the world’s most critical ecological regions, the Congo Basin. A Science Movement … Read more

Activity report: Participation in Water@Leeds Confluence – 16 October 2025

The report summarizes the participation of Genie Lutonadio, PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, and Prof. Mark Trigg in the Water@Leeds Confluence 2025 held on October 16, 2025. The event brought together over 80 researchers from multiple disciplines to exchange insights on water-related studies and to launch the Water@Leeds Virtual Museum, which showcased creative science communication through videos and artworks. The lightning talks covered diverse themes such as hydrological change, climate impacts, sanitation, flood risk management, and water quality. … Read more

Visit by the British Ambassador to the University of Kinshasa and CRREBaC

On 28 October 2025, Her Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom paid an official visit to the University of Kinshasa and the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center (CRREBaC). Accompanied by the UK Climate Adviser in Congo, the Ambassador met with the university’s academic authorities and toured several laboratories and faculties, including those dedicated to science and technology, agronomy, environment, medicine, and pharmacy. The visit concluded at CRREBaC, where she engaged with the CBSI secretariat and met the newly … Read more

CBSI@COP30

Join us at COP30 CBSI members are speaking at the following events: Date and Time Event Title Join Speakers / Panellists Thursday 13 November 14:00 – 15:30 (time in Brazil), 17:00 (UK time) The Lungs of Africa – The Congo Basin and why it matters In person: UK Pavilion Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/5exwLSNB_qo Prof Raphael TshimangaProf Simon LewisProf Virginia ZaunbrecherMinister Marie Nyange Ndambo Dr Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo Date and Time Event Title Join Speakers / Panellists Friday 14 November 12:45 – 13:45 … Read more

Welcoming a new generation of scientists: Meet our CBSI scholars Mohamed and Génie

In April 2025, Mohamed and Génie, were among thirty three exceptional scientists from central Africa to be awarded a CBSI scholarship through the Congo Rainforest Alliance for Forest Training for Sustainable Development (CRAFT) programme. CRAFT is the first major CBSI programme, funded for five years from 2025 with £9.1m from UK International Development. CRAFT aims to transform scientific research and environmental stewardship across the Congo Basin by building world-class scientific capacity within Central Africa, enabling homegrown research to drive policy … Read more

Call for applications: CBSI is hiring a Director of Science (m/f)

CBSI Director of Science: A new job offer is available to become part of our team!  The CBSI Director of Science will provide scientific leadership and coordination across CBSI’s activities, support the academic and professional development of students, oversee research integration and synthesis, and help manage scientific outputs and visibility. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and coherence of CBSI’s research agenda, training programmes, and engagement with the broader scientific community. The position will … Read more

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