Assessment of the research context and research capacity in higher education institutions in Africa

Abstract Background Universities in low- and middle-income countries are well placed to generate evidence for local development, yet their research systems and research capacity remain under-studied. Through the Long-Term Assistance and Services for Research (LASER) initiative, this study assessed the research environment of universities affiliated to the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) in order to identify capacity strengths and gaps and to inform priorities for institutional strengthening. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, central-level assessment of 36 universities in sub-Saharan Africa using a web-based, self-administered questionnaire completed by top university managers. The assessment tool combined the Cooke framework for evaluating research capacity building with elements of the Research Management and Support Systems (RMSS) framework, covering 13 capability areas. Most items were scored on a 0 to 5 Likert scale, with the mean scores graded from “nothing established” to “very good”. Data were analysed in Stata version 14 using means, frequencies and categorisation of scores by dimension and sub-dimension. Results Twenty-seven universities from 12 countries responded (75% response rate). Capacity gaps were identified across all 13 capabilities. Universities scored highest on national research engagement (mean 3.7/5) and support to grant applications (3.4/5), and lowest on research leadership (2.6/5), dissemination and knowledge translation (2.6/5), research project management and control (2.7/5), continuity and sustainability (2.8/5), and empowerment (2.9/5). Donors funded 71% of research while governments contributed 9.7%. Only 19.8% of research projects were led by women, and just 15.6% of research outputs had produced verifiable policy or programme impact over a five-year period. Capacity at the central administration consistently exceeded that of the constituent academic units, where research support offices, grants offices and accredited laboratories were largely absent. Conclusion African universities have functional research policies and engagement architecture at the centre, but these are undercut by weak operational level research leadership, fragile and donor-dependent funding, limited knowledge translation, persistent gender imbalance, and thin support structures at the academic-unit level. Strengthening efforts should prioritise research leadership and management training, increased and sustained domestic research funding, institutional support services that reach the lower academic units, and deliberate empowerment of women and early-career researchers.